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BERNIE KOSAR
One of the most prolific quarterbacks in Cleveland Browns history, Bernie Kosar enters his second season with the Gladiators.
Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Kosar was a Parade Magazine All-American football player as a senior in 1981 at Boardman High School. Kosar continued his education and football career at the University of Miami, leading the Hurricanes to the school’s first football national championship in 1983, while being named MVP of the Orange Bowl.
Kosar enjoyed a 12-year NFL career, spending time with the Browns, Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins. After being selected by the Browns in the 1985 NFL supplemental draft, Kosar made an immediate impact with the Browns, starting in 10 games in ’85 season. He guided the Browns to an 8-8 record and a playoff birth; just one season after the franchise suffered a 5-11 record.
As a full-time starter in 1986 season, Kosar established himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL. In just his second season, Kosar threw for 3,854 yards and finished second in the league with 310 completions, leading the Browns to a 12-4 record and a top seed in the AFC playoffs. Kosar threw for a playoff-record 489 yards in a 23-20 double overtime victory over the New York Jets. The Browns eventually fell to the Denver Broncos a week later in the AFC championship game.
Kosar saw his finest statistical season as a professional in 1987. That year, he completed 62 percent of his passes (241-of-389) for 3,033 yards, threw for a career-high 22 touchdowns and tallied a career-best 95.4 quarterback rating.
In 1993, Kosar signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys. He appeared in four games with the Super Bowl Champion Cowboys, completing 36-of-63 passes for 410 yards and three touchdowns. Kosar spent the final three seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins.
For his career, Kosar threw for 23,301 yards, 124 touchdowns and finished with an 81.8 quarterback rating. In 1986 he led the NFL with a 1.9% interception ratio, establishing his hallmark for accuracy as a passer and holds the NFL record set in 1991 for the most consecutive passes without an interception at 308
Personally, Kosar serves as Honorary Chairman of the Paula and Anthony Rich Center for the Study and Treatment of Autism at Youngstown State University and he is Trustee of The Bernie J. Kosar Charitable Trust. The trust allows him to assist in research and treatment of medical problems affecting young people.
In addition to overseeing the activities of a dozen corporations representing his diversified business and charitable interests, Kosar is currently President of BJK L.L.C., a real estate investment company that purchases and develops land. In addition, he opened “Bernie Kosar’s Steakhouse” in South Miami.
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