By JACK BEZANTS, US DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 08:44 EST, 17 November 2025 | Updated: 08:45 EST, 17 November 2025
Bernie Kosar finally had some news to celebrate in the early hours of Monday morning as the NFL great underwent a long-awaited liver transplant.
The 61-year-old, who had three operations last week alone amid a series of health issues, has been waiting for the transplant since early 2024 and had hoped to go under the knife on Sunday afternoon, only for the procedure to be momentarily delayed.
Late Sunday, he finally got the green light he had been waiting for and hours later the Cleveland Browns great shared a brief message with his followers on social media before heading in for the procedure.
'It may not be victory Monday on the football field but here we are, it's 4:23 in the morning, university hospital, it's absolutely victory Monday for me,' Kosar said in a video from his hospital bed. 'Literally heading on down right now to get that liver transplant.
'You know, you're ready for something monumental, transformative in your life and you can't help but be a little reflective.
'As I go down here today I think about all the awesome, awesome support from fans out there and my children and wife.'
Bernie Kosar told his followers that he was set to finally have his liver transplant on Monday
Kosar pictured alongside Taylor Swift before a Kansas City Chiefs game in October 2023
Last week, the Browns legend and Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl winner underwent procedures to halt internal bleeding as he waited for his new liver.
He announced last year in an interview with Cleveland magazine that he has been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and Parkinson's disease.
'I strongly believe in the power of positive thinking,' Kosar said at the time. 'For me, it’s not just a slogan. I believe that positive energy can be manifested in our brains, and I love to live in the space of positivity.
'I want to think about things that are helpful. It sounds like I’m getting on a soap box here, but I visualize good health. It’s not so much that I’m trying to sell it to myself, or that I’m in denial, as it is choosing to be positive. Because everybody’s got something.'
Kosar played for the Browns from 1985 to 1993, leading the franchise to three AFC Championship Game appearances (1986, '87 and '89), losing each time to the Denver Broncos. Kosar is third in franchise history with 21,904 passing yards.
After being released by the Browns, Kosar joined the Dallas Cowboys for the remainder of the 1993 season and got a Super Bowl ring. He then played for the Miami Dolphins from 1994 to 1996.
In 2023, Kosar surprisingly cemeted his place in the Taylor Swift fanbase when, in the early days of her romance with Travis Kelce, the singer joined Kosar for a pre-game gathering at the Kansas City Chiefs star's home.
They posed for pictures together before heading to Arrowhead Stadium to watch the Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers.
Kosar has three procedures last week alone as he waited for his transplant to go ahead
Reflecting on meeting Swift, Kosar said the next day: 'Flat-out, it's just amazing what a genuine, nice person she is.
'With the unbelievable talent the star she's become, to see she's an even better person was just really cool. Yesterday was a special time.'
Quizzed on who asked who for a picture, Kosar said: 'I think my concussion issues would really be elevated if I said she was begging for a picture with the old man.'
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