Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bernie Kosar

How Bernie Kosar built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Bernie Kosar is a former American professional football quarterback. He led the Miami Hurricanes to a national championship in 1983 before playing in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns (1985-1993), Dallas Cowboys (1993), and Miami Dolphins (1994-1996). Kosar served as a backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys when they won Super Bowl XXVIII in 1993. He is primarily known for his time with the Cleveland Browns.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1983: Led Miami Hurricanes to National Championship

In 1983, Bernie Kosar led the Miami Hurricanes to a national championship.

1983: Started All Games, Led Hurricanes to Championship

In 1983, as a freshman, Bernie Kosar started all 12 games for the Miami Hurricanes, leading them to an 11-1 regular season and a victory in the Orange Bowl against Nebraska, securing the program's first national championship. Kosar passed for 300 yards and two touchdowns in the game and earned Orange Bowl MVP honors.

March 14, 1985: Declared for NFL Draft and Desire to Play for Browns

On March 14, 1985, Bernie Kosar announced he was forgoing his final two years of collegiate eligibility at the University of Miami to enter the NFL and expressed his desire to play for the Cleveland Browns.

April 9, 1985: Vikings Traded to Draft Kosar

On April 9, 1985, the Minnesota Vikings traded with the Houston Oilers to obtain a top draft selection, announcing their intent to draft Bernie Kosar.

July 3, 1985: Browns Select Kosar in Supplemental Draft

On July 3, 1985, the Cleveland Browns selected Bernie Kosar with their first selection in the 1985 supplemental draft, offering him a five-year contract.

1985: Joined Cleveland Browns

In 1985, Bernie Kosar began playing for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL.

1985: Highly Sought NFL Prospect

In 1985, Bernie Kosar was considered a highly sought NFL prospect.

1986: Became Browns' Permanent Starter

In 1986, Bernie Kosar established himself as the Cleveland Browns' permanent starter. He threw for 3,854 yards and finished second in the league with 310 completions. The Browns took the top seed in the American Football Conference (AFC) with a 12–4 record. In the divisional playoffs against the New York Jets, Kosar threw for a then-playoff-record 489 yards. But the following week, John Elway's 98-yard drive in the AFC championship game kept the Browns out of the Super Bowl.

1986: Browns Traded Draft Selections

In 1986, the Browns quietly traded their first round NFL draft selections for 1985 and 1986, their third round selection in 1985 and sixth selection in 1986 with the Buffalo Bills for the Bills' first pick in the 1985 supplemental draft, which paved the way for the Browns to select Kosar in the 1985 supplemental draft if Kosar entered it.

1987: Most Productive Year Statistically

1987 was Bernie Kosar's most productive year statistically. In the strike-shortened season, he completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,033 yards and 22 touchdowns and led the AFC in quarterback rating. In an AFC championship rematch against Elway's Denver Broncos, Kosar threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns in a 38–33 loss.

1989: Advanced to AFC Championship

In 1989, Bernie Kosar threw for 3,533 yards and the Browns advanced to the AFC championship for the third time in four years, losing again to the Broncos in Denver.

1991: Threw for 3,487 Yards

In 1991, Bernie Kosar threw for 3,487 yards and 18 touchdowns to only 9 interceptions. In 1990 and 1991, Kosar set league records by throwing 308 consecutive passes without an interception.

1991: Belichick Hired as Head Coach

In 1991, Bill Belichick was hired as head coach of the Browns.

1993: Played for Dallas Cowboys and Won Super Bowl XXVIII

In 1993, Bernie Kosar played for the Dallas Cowboys and was the backup quarterback when the team won Super Bowl XXVIII.

1994: Played for Miami Dolphins

In 1994, Bernie Kosar joined the Miami Dolphins.

1996: Involved in Sports and Business Ventures

Since his NFL retirement in 1996, Bernie Kosar has been involved in several sports and business-related ventures. He hosted the Nestlé/Bernie Kosar Charity Classic at Tanglewood National Golf Club in Bainbridge Township, Ohio throughout the 1990s.

2001: Purchased Florida Panthers

In 2001, Bernie Kosar purchased the Florida Panthers, a National Hockey League team, along with pharmaceutical businessman Alan Cohen.

October 16, 2007: Named President and CEO of Cleveland Gladiators

On October 16, 2007, Bernie Kosar was named team president and CEO of the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League, after purchasing a minority share and moving the team to Cleveland.

2007: Considered Head Coaching Job at Miami

In 2007, Bernie Kosar considered taking the head coaching job at the University of Miami before it was offered to Randy Shannon.

2008: Gladiators Earned Playoff Berth

In 2008, the Cleveland Gladiators, under Bernie Kosar's leadership, finished the regular season 9–7, earning them a playoff berth.

October 17, 2009: Hired as Consultant for Cleveland Browns

On October 17, 2009, Bernie Kosar was hired as a consultant for the Cleveland Browns.

December 2013: Kosar's Wood-Fired Grill Opened

In December 2013, Kosar's Wood-Fired Grill opened at the Hard Rock Rock Casino Northfield Park in Northfield, Ohio.

2016: Invitation to Republican National Convention

In 2016, Bernie Kosar was invited to the Republican National Convention, where he spoke positively of Ohio and Cleveland as host state and city.

2017: Publication of "Learning to Scramble"

In 2017, Bernie Kosar published his autobiography, "Learning to Scramble", and teamed up with Ohio grocery chain Heinen's for a motivational and wellness seminar series based on the book.

Bernie Kosar: Learning to Scramble

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September 2022: Launched "The Bernie Kosar Show"

In September 2022, Bernie Kosar launched "The Bernie Kosar Show" with BIGPLAY, a sports podcast with Cleveland Browns cornerback Hanford Dixon.

2022: Appearance in Tim Ryan Advertisement

In 2022, Bernie Kosar appeared in an advertisement for Tim Ryan, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Ohio.

October 2023: Launch of U Matter Wellness Essentials

In October 2023, Bernie Kosar launched U Matter Wellness Essentials, a line of wellness products under his Kosar Wellness brand, including supplements like digestive enzymes, fermented vegetable powder, and effervescent humic fulvic acid tablets. He also partnered with Foundation Health Solutions, an Ohio-based long-term care company, as part of this product launch. In 2023 Kosar was involved in a lawsuit related to Kosar Wellness.

2024: Launch of New Patented Coffee Blend

In January 2024, Bernie Kosar launched a new patented coffee blend designed to boost immunity, protect against chronic diseases, and strengthen heart health.