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NFL icon Bernie Kosar has spoken from his hospital bed after undergoing a life-saving liver transplant early on Monday morning.
The 61-year-old, who had three operations last week alone amid a series of health issues, has been waiting for the transplant since early 2024 and had hoped to go under the knife on Sunday, only for the procedure to be delayed.
But he did finally get the much-needed procedure done on Monday, and he was quickly speaking out from the hospital to reassure fans that it all went well.
'Hey, I'm out and I'm feeling good!' he said in a clip posted on X. 'Ready to enjoy the rest of the week and the rest of our lives! You matter'
In the clip, Kosar can be seen wearing a hospital gown with his head propped up on a pillow, and he is smiling for the cameras and clearly in high spirits.
Unsurprisingly, the clip quickly went viral and Browns fans and beyond celebrated the positive news.
Bernie Kosar reassured fans that everything went well in his liver transplant operation
Kosar pictured alongside Taylor Swift before a Kansas City Chiefs game in October 2023
'There he is! Bern! Praise God' one wrote, while another added: 'Love this, Bernie!!! Congratulations to the entire team, all the nurses & doctors, the donor, and Bernie!!!'
A third wrote: 'Best wishes, sir. Your courage and openness during this challenging time in your life is a real inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story.'
Last week, the Browns legend and Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl winner underwent procedures to halt internal bleeding as he waited for his new liver.
He announced last year in an interview with Cleveland magazine that he has been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and Parkinson's disease.
'I strongly believe in the power of positive thinking,' Kosar said at the time. 'For me, it’s not just a slogan. I believe that positive energy can be manifested in our brains, and I love to live in the space of positivity.
Kosar is a Cleveland Browns legend and also played in the NFL for the Cowboys and Dolphins
'I want to think about things that are helpful. It sounds like I’m getting on a soap box here, but I visualize good health. It’s not so much that I’m trying to sell it to myself, or that I’m in denial, as it is choosing to be positive. Because everybody’s got something.'
Kosar played for the Browns from 1985 to 1993, leading the franchise to three AFC Championship Game appearances (1986, '87 and '89), losing each time to the Denver Broncos. Kosar is third in franchise history with 21,904 passing yards.
After being released by the Browns, Kosar joined the Dallas Cowboys for the remainder of the 1993 season and got a Super Bowl ring. He then played for the Miami Dolphins from 1994 to 1996.
In 2023, Kosar surprisingly cemeted his place in the Taylor Swift fanbase when, in the early days of her romance with Travis Kelce, the singer joined Kosar for a pre-game gathering at the Kansas City Chiefs star's home.
Kosar has three procedures last week alone as he waited for his transplant to go ahead
They posed for pictures together before heading to Arrowhead Stadium to watch the Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers.
Reflecting on meeting Swift, Kosar said the next day: 'Flat-out, it's just amazing what a genuine, nice person she is.
'With the unbelievable talent the star she's become, to see she's an even better person was just really cool. Yesterday was a special time.'
Quizzed on who asked who for a picture, Kosar said: 'I think my concussion issues would really be elevated if I said she was begging for a picture with the old man.'
