Bernie Kosar fired: Browns pull former QB from radio broadcast after betting on team to beat Steelers in Week 18

Edward Sutelan

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Bernie Kosar fired: Browns pull former QB from radio broadcast after betting on team to beat Steelers in Week 18 image

Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar wanted to show his support for his old team by placing a bet on them to beat the Steelers on Sunday. That bet cost him his spot on the team's pregame radio show.

Kosar, who appears on the team's pregame radio show, announced on Sunday he was told by the team he would not be needed after he bet $19,000 on the team to beat the Steelers. He said he would donate his winnings to charity.

"Steelers GameDay yet once again I was informed by the Browns that my services are no longer desired or needed. I will not be doing todays radio program. I am shocked & disappointed," Kosar wrote on Twitter. "Brown & Orange is my life."

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According to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, a Browns spokesperson said in a statement that Kosar violated the NFL's gambling policy by betting on the game, and that the team had to remove him from the team's radio coverage. The statement noted Kosar was told earlier in the week.

"We understand what Bernie means to this community and our history but as team contracted personnel hired to provide content on our media platforms, his bet was a violation of NFL rules and we must adhere to all NFL policy," the team said in a statement.

Kosar was the Browns quarterback from 1985 to 1993, and is third in Browns franchise history in passing yards (21,904) and fourth in passing touchdowns (116).

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Kosar had said on his radio show that he had bet $19,000 on the Browns to beat the Steelers. He wore No. 19 during his playing days with Cleveland.

Sports betting was legalized in Ohio on Jan. 1, 2023, allowing online sportsbooks to begin taking wagers from local residents.

The NFL has strict rules on betting, having suspended then-Falcons, now-Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley for the entire 2022 season after he placed bets on his team to win. Jets wide receiver coach Miles Austin was also suspended for at least a year on Dec. 23, 2022.

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan Photo

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.