Despite the stress of declaring bankruptcy, dealing with a divorce and several painful injuries from his football days, former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar is maintaining a positive attitude.
Even though he's saddled with serious financial problems, Kosar hasn't lost his self-deprecating sense of humor.
"I was 25 and everyone was telling me that I was the smartest," Kosar told Dan Le Batard of the Miami Herald during his first interview since the bankruptcy. "Now I'm 45 and realize I'm an idiot. I'm 45 and immature. I don't like being 45."
Kosar acknowledged having thoughts of suicide due to the mountain of debt he's buried under. However, he says he quickly dismissed those thoughts.
"I couldn't quit on my kids," Kosar said. "I'm not a quitter. I got here with hard work. I'll get out of this with hard work."
Kosar's divorce, failed investments, multiple judgments against him and unpaid loans to friends, family and former teammates have created quite a mess.
However, the former Browns star sounds determined to fight his way out of it.
"No wallowing," Kosar said. "No 'woe is me.' I'm great at making money. And, as we've found out, I'm great at spending it. What I'm not great at is managing it."
Kosar estimated that his bankruptcy filing has cost him between $4 million and $5 million so far.
I hope he gets things turned around. Kind of reminds me of what happened with Mike Webster.
Favre...We want Favre!...He IS a Hawg For Life!
Like I said before... just get Bud Light to sponsor Bernie during Browns preseason TV games...
"I'm not a quitter. I got here with hard work. I'll get out of this with hard work."
Really? You got suicidal and debt-ridden with hard work.....and your plan is to stick with it?
Maybe you should consider Plan B.
Bernard's got nothin' on Michael Jackson. He's only in debt for 10's of millions of dollars versus MJ's $400 million or so. BK needs a lucrative worldwide tour. ;)
Maybe Drew Carey will return to TV and have Bernie as the store greater.
Does anybody else have major problems signing on to this site??
Anyway, Tatum bell was selling cell phone accessories at a kiosk in the middle of some mall before Denver came and picked him up.
It's easy to make money but it's hard to keep it.
How about Twitter? You had your chance and crapped it away! You had it, pissed it away, and now expect the rest of us to feel sorry for you. That's called the UFL or the USFL or the CFL or the AFL or who cares?
"☻☼CBS, FOX, ESPN, NFLN nbc says:
July 14, 2009 10:51 PM
Does anybody else have major problems signing on to this site??"
You mean the fact that the Submission Accepted and Submission Rejected pages look completely identical, and it logs you out randomly for no reason?
Kosar has always been a generous person to a fault. I would like to see the Browns hire him as a QB coach. He has a brilliant football mind, and few could read a defense like him. I think he'd make a great coach. I hope he gets things together and I wish him and his family well.
Should have given your money to Kiva.org
a much better investment than family and friends who will never pay you back
Not a quitter? How many Super Bowl rings does he have? (his one year with the '93 Cowboys doesn't count)
"PatsRPerfection says:
July 14, 2009 11:18 PM
Not a quitter? How many Super Bowl rings does he have? (his one year with the '93 Cowboys doesn't count)"
Wow. Every part of that sentence is the dumbest thing I've ever read.
Well done.
I agree, Kosar SHOULD be a QB coach in the NFL. He could really help some of the guns make the transition a little easier.
He should have said he gave his money to Bernie Madoff.
PatsRPerfection says:
July 14, 2009 11:18 PM
Not a quitter? How many Super Bowl rings does he have? (his one year with the '93 Cowboys doesn't count)
AAAAAAAH WHAT?
That is the STUPIDEST post ever!
I can't even fathom how anyone could find humor in this story. We've sunken so low that we make fun of a guy who mentions that he contemplated suicide? Just when I thought the McNair comments were tasteless.
Good grief people. Every story Florio posts is not just another opportunity to come type some pseudo-witty, tasteless comment.
I hope this man gets his life together and I certainly agree that he has what it takes to be a coach.
All the best, Bernie. Never mind the idiots on this site.
Just sign in and hit refresh. That's works for me.
Bernie, hopefully you will read this. You need to make Dave Ramsey your best friend. He is a financial advisor and writer. He has a book out called "The Total Money Makeover". Thru it and Dave's methodologies on handling money you can have financial peace.
Browns fan forever
cbsnchrist
TFBuckFutter and MasterShake- with support from guys like you two, Bernie is bound to bounce back.
MasterShake- life will throw you a curve ball at some point and hopefully you will get more support than you deserve.
I don't have anything against Bernie. He seems like a great guy, and I think he caught a bad break in Cleveland.
His comment was funny though. "I've dug myself into a hole....how do I get out? I know....I'll keep digging."
I'm sure he'll come through fine. Some of you need to stop being so sensitive.
Bernie Kosar was my hero when he signed with the Browns. He finished college early, won a national championship with Miami, wanted to play in Cleveland, and eventually won a Super Bowl ring with Dallas. I have always admired his generosity.
He was tough as nails as a player and in the words of so many NFL broadcasters "cerebral".
I truly hope for the best for him.