Bernie Kosar, a former NFL star who nearly led the Cleveland Browns to a Super Bowl appearance, parted ways with the organization after betting $19,000 on the team to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kosar revealed Sunday before the Browns’ game against the Steelers that he was told his services were no longer needed on the team’s pregame radio show.
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Bernie Kosar of the Cleveland Browns looks on before the start of a game circa 1989. Kosar played for the Browns from 1985 to 1993.
(Focus on Sport/Getty Images/File)
«Steelers GameDay, I have once again been informed by the Browns that my services are no longer wanted or needed,» he tweeted about two hours before kickoff. «I will not be on today’s radio show. I am shocked and disappointed. Brown & Orange is my life.»
Kosar acknowledged on the «Bernie Kosar Show with Hanford Dixon» that he bet $19,000 on the Browns to beat the Steelers in the game. He said the proceeds would be donated to charity.
According to multiple reports, the bet was the reason the two parties parted ways. The NFL prohibits staff from betting on games even though sports betting is legal in some states. Ohio was one of the most recent states to open sportsbooks. Kosar and Pete Rose were among those who made the first legal bet.
Cleveland Browns all-time great quarterback Bernie Kosar is introduced to fans before the game between the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns on October 16, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.
(Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Kosar was a pregame radio host and ambassador for the team.
The Browns later released a statement on the subject.
«Earlier this week we notified Bernie that, per league policy, we were required to remove him from our pregame radio coverage by the end of the season after he violated NFL wagering policy by placing a wager. in an NFL game,» the team said. «We understand what Bernie means to this community and our history, but as a team hired staff to provide content on our media platforms, [his] The wager was a violation of NFL rules and we must comply with all NFL policies.»
Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns watches during the second half of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on January 8, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
He played nine seasons for the Browns from 1985 to 1993. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys midway through the 1993 season and then spent time with the Miami Dolphins.
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With the Browns, he had 21,904 passing yards and 116 touchdown passes. He was a professional bowler in 1987.
The Steelers won the game, 28-14.