Sports • American Football

Bernie Kosar

Bernard Joseph Kosar Jr.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bernard Joseph Kosar Jr. is an American former professional football quarterback best known for playing in the National Football League (NFL) with the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins. He led the University of Miami to a national championship in 1983 and won a Super Bowl ring as a backup with the 1993 Dallas Cowboys.

Early life and college career

Kosar grew up in Boardman, Ohio, and played quarterback at the University of Miami. He is associated with the Hurricanes' 1983 national championship team and was later recognized by the university's sports hall of fame.

NFL career

Kosar entered the NFL through the supplemental draft and became best known for his nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He also played for the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins before retiring after the 1996 season.

Post-playing life

After football, Kosar became involved in business, including restaurant ownership and sports-related ventures. He also established a charitable trust and has remained active in community and charitable work.

Later health and financial issues

Kosar has faced public reporting about financial difficulties, including a 2009 bankruptcy filing by him and his businesses. He has also been the subject of reporting about health concerns related to football.

Key facts

Kosar was born Bernard Joseph Kosar Jr. on November 25, 1963.
He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and helped win the 1983 national championship.
He played most of his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns from 1985 to 1993.
He was on the 1993 Dallas Cowboys roster when they won Super Bowl XXVIII.
He finished his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins in 1996.

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Canadian context

Kosar has limited direct Canada-specific relevance, but Canadian football readers may know him as a notable NFL quarterback and Super Bowl champion from the Browns and Cowboys era.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Bernie Kosar?

Bernie Kosar is an American former NFL quarterback best known for playing for the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins.

What team did Bernie Kosar play for?

In the NFL, he played for the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins.

How old is Bernie Kosar?

Born November 25, 1963, he is 62 years old as of 2026.

How many Super Bowls did Bernie Kosar win?

He won 1 Super Bowl, as a backup quarterback with the 1993 Dallas Cowboys.

What happened to Bernie Kosar?

After football, he moved into business and charity work, but later faced financial trouble and a 2009 bankruptcy filing. He has also been reported on for health-related issues.

Bernie Kosar net worth

Public reporting does not provide a single verified current net worth figure; in 2009, bankruptcy filings reported $9.2 million in assets and $18.9 million in debt.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Kosar
Supports: Birth name, birth date, NFL teams, college team, and bankruptcy-related reporting.
University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame — https://www.umsportshalloffame.com/bernie-kosar.html
Supports: College achievements, national championship, NFL teams, career stats, and Super Bowl XXVIII connection.
Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bernie-Kosar
Supports: General identification as an American football quarterback and Browns career prominence.
CoSIDA Academic All-America — https://academicallamerica.com/hof.aspx?hof=90
Supports: Hall of Fame recognition and post-career activities.
ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/6457/bernie-kosar
Supports: Birth date, birthplace, and player identification.
Browns Nation — https://www.brownsnation.com/bernie-kosar/
Supports: Reported bankruptcy details and financial context.