Bernie Kosar receiving 'groundbreaking' treatments for brain trauma

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar never thought about the consequences of the helmet-rattling hits he absorbed while throwing touchdown passes and raising Super Bowl hopes at old Municipal Stadium.  

He kept a packet of smelling salts stashed in his uniform pants for occasions when he was "dinged," called a few running plays until his head cleared and knew the team trainer would always hold up two fingers for the rudimentary concussion test.  

But for the past decade, Kosar has spent sleepless, fitful nights dealing with the painful effects of at least a dozen documented concussions during a 13-year NFL career. There have been headaches, insomnia, slurred speech and persistent ringing and buzzing in his ears.  

The 49-year-old had searched unsuccessfully for lasting relief until recently finding it courtesy of a Florida-based doctor who he says is helping reverse the effects of his brain trauma.  

Kosar held a news conference Thursday in Middleburg Heights touting the "groundbreaking" work of Dr. Rick Sponaugle, who has been treating the Pro Bowl quarterback for about a month.  

"It was a gift from God to find this and to feel like this," Kosar said. "I see all the symptoms going away."  

 He hopes to raise awareness of the therapy, which the doctor says improves blood flow in the brain through intravenous treatments and dietary supplements.  
 Kosar knows there are many former players grappling with similar brain-trauma issues. He has spoken to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about the therapy and the league has put Sponaugle in touch with one of its medical advisers, Dr. Elliot Pellman.  

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed the correspondence. 

 "They are very interested," said Sponaugle, 57, who has spent 15 years studying the brain. "Why wouldn't they be?"  

 Kosar addressed the media on the same day ESPN reported that former NFL linebacker Junior Seau, who committed suicide in May, suffered from the type of chronic brain damage found in dozens of deceased players. Seau's family was informed last week the brain tested positive for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease that can lead to dementia, memory loss and depression.  

 "There are hundreds, if not thousands, of guys who are dealing with issues and pain and stuff," said Kosar, whose speech is noticeably improved from last month. "Literally, I think a lot of them are losing hope. I tried really hard to find it. This [treatment] isn't something I think a lot of guys know about, whether it's the younger kids playing or the ex-NFL players. I don't think a lot of people know there is hope for them."  

Kosar stressed he has no business interests with Sponaugle, who operates a detox and wellness center outside of Tampa, Fla. He wants to spread the word in an effort to prevent future tragedies like the one involving his friends Seau and Dave Duerson, who also committed suicide.  

 According to the ESPN report, researchers at Boston University have confirmed 50 cases of CTE in former football players, including 33 from the NFL. Kosar is not among the more than 4,000 former players suing the league in federal court, claiming it ignored a connection between football and brain damage.  

He has no regrets about playing, Kosar said, or the medical care he received during his time with the Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. He believes the league is doing more to address player-safety issues and wants to do his part.  

 "I hope if there are people and players out there suffering [they now know they] have an option and something that can genuinely help them get better in a short amount of time that doesn't involve living the rest of your life in pain and agony and on medication," Kosar said.  

 "I am not trying to over-dramatize this, get attention and [make people] feel sorry for me, but it was bad and I needed to get to him when I got to him and through God's blessing it got reversed."  

 Kosar and girlfriend Tami Longaberger learned of the treatments about 16 months ago, but didn't make contact with the doctor until this fall. He was skeptical about the claims of Sponaugle, who reportedly has admitted to administering treatment for publicity in the past.  

 But Kosar said he started seeing almost immediate results. His positron emission tomography (PET) scans, which detect damage to the brain, are showing improvement. Over the past month, he has received about 15 treatments, each lasting about two hours.  

Sponaugle, who also works with patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis, provided little detail about his therapy Thursday. He did reveal he has treated about 20 former and current NFL players.

The doctor likened the head trauma Kosar and other players have absorbed to an auto accident.  

"The difference, folks, is the car accident is a one-time deal when a head goes through a windshield," Sponaugle said. "Bernie had his head go through the windshield every Sunday."  

The doctor has listened to Kosar's radio interview from last month in which he became emotional and sounded incoherent at times. Kosar, who has dealt with divorce and past financial troubles, has denied he was drunk or medicated.  

 "I knew what it was and I knew why he was weepy," the doctor said. "I have seen this in [many] people." 

Kosar, who's relaunching his charitable foundation, said he feels "20 years younger" and has lost about 40 pounds since last summer. He was in good spirits Thursday, joking with reporters and telling them the ringing he once experienced "wasn't my ex-wife yelling at me."  

"I really feel blessed to be restored as far as the brain," Kosar said. "And, the trauma that was there, I almost feel like it's gone right now."   


(cleveland.com)