Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar believes that he is being treated unfairly after being pulled as a television broadcaster because of his slurred speech.
Kosar explained that he has had over a dozen concussions over the years he played in the NFL, and his speech problem is a direct relation to the concussions. The team made the decision to remove Kosar as a color commentator for Cleveland’s preseason games.
“This is very unfortunate as I believe my football acumen and ability to describe what is happening on the field, has been well received by Cleveland Browns fans,” Kosar said in a statement.
When the Browns announced their decision, they said that they wanted to discuss “potential new roles” for Kosar, possibly on the pregame telecasts and team website. “We want Browns fans to look forward to seeing and hearing his continued contributions and analysis,” the team president Alec Scheiner explained.
Kosar retired from the Browns in 1996, and remains one of their most loved players. He hopes that the team will reconsider their decision.
“I love to put the personal touch, pride in the Browns, and pride in our Cleveland community into the broadcast,” he said. “Being able to share these preseason games with my fellow Cleveland Browns fans is truly one of the remaining joys in my life.
“I would hope that WKYC would reconsider utilizing my in-game talents and overlook my concussion-induced impairment. I want everyone to know that I still bleed Brown and Orange.”
Image via Wikimedia Commons