CLEVELAND — October 13 is now officially Bernie Kosar Day in the City of Cleveland, after City Council approved a resolution honoring the former Browns quarterback on the 41st anniversary of his first regular-season start.
Councilman Brian Kazy introduced Resolution 1235-2026, and Kosar was presented with a plaque at Monday’s council meeting, where Kazy praised the quarterback’s loyalty to the team and his lasting bond with the community. Kosar thanked the city and its fans in a social media post on Tuesday, saying he was humbled by the honor and that Cleveland will always be home.
The date carries real history for Browns fans. On October 13, 1985, Kosar, a rookie from Boardman, made his first NFL start and led Cleveland to a 21-6 victory over the Houston Oilers. He had maneuvered his way to his hometown team through the 1985 supplemental draft after starring at the University of Miami.
Kosar went on to quarterback the Browns to five consecutive playoff appearances and three trips to the AFC Championship Game. After leaving Cleveland in 1993, he earned a Super Bowl ring as a backup with the Dallas Cowboys.
The honor also caps a hard few years for Kosar, who received a liver transplant last November. For a fan base that claimed the Youngstown-area native as one of its own, the day recognizes both the player and the hometown connection that defined his career.