Bernie Kosar leaving hospital one week after transplant

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar is being discharged from a hospital Monday, one week after receiving a liver transplant.

"Blessed to be getting discharged today, and appreciative of all the support that's carried me to this point. Just in time for my birthday tmrw!" he posted on X.

Kosar, who turns 62 on Tuesday, spent more than year on the transplant waiting list and endured various delays and medical complications before undergoing the procedure on Nov. 17 at University Hospitals in Cleveland.

Kosar's donor was identified as 21-year-old Browns fan Bryce Dunlap, who died after a medical emergency.

"That's probably the biggest struggle of it right now. We're still doing this with heavy hearts with what happened with Bryce Dunlap and his family," Kosar told ESPN. "I can't tell ya how much my thoughts and prayers are with you. I can't thank you enough. I'm not taking this gift for granted."

Kosar told Cleveland Magazine last year that he had been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and Parkinson's disease.

Kosar played 12 seasons in the NFL from 1985-96 after leading the University of Miami to a national championship in 1983.

The Youngstown, Ohio, native began his career with the Browns, leading them to a 12-4 season in 1986 and earning a Pro Bowl selection in 1987. He took Cleveland to the AFC Championship Game three times, losing to the Denver Broncos in 1986, 1987 and 1989.

Kosar retired with a record of 53-54-1 as a starter, completing 59.3% of his passes for 23,301 yards, 124 touchdowns and 87 interceptions in 126 games with the Browns (1985-93), Dallas Cowboys (1993) and Miami Dolphins (1994-96). He won a ring in Super Bowl XXVIII as a backup for the Cowboys' Troy Aikman.

--Field Level Media