Kosar's financial downfall brings sad life to forefront
Posted June 22nd, 2009 by Dan
Last Friday news of former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar filing for bankruptcy came out.
It was a sad tale. Kosar's Chapter 11 filing Friday lists assets between $1 million and $10 million and liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million.
That includes owing almost $1.5 million to the Browns, the team he legendarily quarterbacked from 1985 to 1993.
But Kosar's saga is much worse beneath the surface, as described by Dan Le Batard of the Miami Herald.
Le Batard was with Kosar as he signed his bankruptcy papers, chronicling the 45-year-old's downfall.
Kosar has a mangled body – a perpetually bent throwing arm, crooked fingers, creaky knees and a bad back. Even his hip needs replaced following the rough life of professional football.
That, however, is only part of Kosar's life. He's in the midst of a divorce from his estranged wife Babette. There are rumors of addiction.
Even worse for Kosar has been every day life following football. He's so used to being just a football player he has seemingly never known how to be a man.
With a guitar as a weapon, he chased after a boy interested in one of his daughters. He uses a saw to cut French bread. He doesn't know how to run a dishwasher or a clothes washer.
"I was 25 and everyone was telling me that I was the smartest; now I'm 45 and realize I'm an idiot," Kosar said. "I'm 45 and immature. I don't like being 45."
Many of Kosar's problems were brought upon by himself, some by others. Regardless, it's a tragic tale of a man will always be a legend in Cleveland sports.
He clearly still has a passion for football. Just listen to the way he calls Browns preseason games or when he calls into local radio stations.
Now, hopefully, he can begin to channel that passion into the rest of his life.
June 22nd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
You have to be tough to be from Cleveland. And seing as the french are not that tough, why wouldn't one use a saw?
June 24th, 2009 at 6:54 am
I don't care what he was addicted to, or what his problems are, for all of that, he's still the smartest commentator I've ever seen call any game. Seriously. I watched some of the preseason games last year and he called the team out when he knew what was going wrong, and he also smartly picked up the defensive schemes faster than the team itself! I hope he can pull it together.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
OK, Bernie's been out of the uniform for over 10 years right?!? Yet, I watch the Browns play & listen to his cementation. My question is why, as passionate as Bernie is for the Browns Organization, isn't he one of the Quarterbacks coaches??? This guy still breaks down defenses as if he's still under center himself! Bernie, whatever it is you're hooked on, stay on it!!!
)
June 25th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Sad indeed for someone who's bled orange and brown. I too hope he get's it together. I was back in Ohio last summer and got to catch him in the preseason games and he was fantastic. Maybe a network will give him a shot. We're pullin' for you Bernie!
June 26th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I think it is a damn shame the the Browns organization have not let him be more involved. Bernie was always a winner. You think the organization would want a proven winner around the current lame cast of characters they have. I'm sure Brady Quinn and Anderson would love to have him around during games.