Bernie Kosar

Bernie Joseph Kosar, Jr. (born November 25, 1963 in Boardman, Ohio) is a former American football quarterback who played for the Cleveland Browns from 1985 to 1993 and then finished his career with stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins.

With the Browns

Kosar?s choice of the Browns, who were coming off a 5-11 season, made him an immediate fan favorite. His friendliness with fans and on-field performance would make him one of the most-popular players in team history.

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Kosar was not the most athletic man to play quarterback. He was famously immobile and threw with an ugly half-sidearm motion. However, his accuracy was unmatched, and he rarely forced throws or made stupid decisions. In 1990 and 1991, Kosar set a league record by throwing 308 consecutive passes without an interception.

Related Topics:
1990 - 1991

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The Browns intended Kosar to serve as Gary Danielson's backup in Kosar?s rookie season, but Danielson injured his shoulder in the fifth week. Kosar completed only half of his passes in the team?s rushing-oriented offense that year. Nevertheless, the team snuck into the playoffs with a 8-8 record, losing to the Miami Dolphins in the divisional playoffs.

Related Topics:
Gary Danielson's - Miami Dolphins - Playoffs

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Danielson was injured again in the 1986 preseason, and by the time he healed, Kosar had established himself not only as the Browns' permanent starter but as one of the league's top QBs. In a new, passing-focused offense, Kosar threw for 3,854 yards and finished second in the league with 310 completions. The Browns took top seed in the American Football Conference with a 12-4 record. In the divisional playoffs against the New York Jets, Kosar threw for a playoff-record 489 yards in leading the Browns to a dramatic 23-20 comeback victory in double overtime. Only John Elway?s famous 98-yard drive in the following week?s AFC championship kept the Browns out of the Super Bowl.

Related Topics:
1986 - American Football Conference - New York Jets - John Elway?s - Super Bowl

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1987 was Kosar?s finest 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. Kosar also made his only Pro Bowl that season.

Related Topics:
1987 - Denver Broncos - Pro Bowl

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Kosar spent most of the 1988 season sidelined with injuries but came back to throw for 3,533 yards in 1989. That year, the Browns advanced to the AFC championship for the third time in four years, losing again to the Broncos in Denver.

Related Topics:
1988 - 1989

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Kosar?s later years in Cleveland were dampened by injuries and dwindling support around him. In 1990, Kosar threw a career-high 15 interceptions as the Browns went 3-13. The following year, he came back to throw for 3,487 yards and 19 touchdowns. A broken ankle sidelined him for most of 1992.

Related Topics:
1990 - 1992

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