Bernie Kosar doesn't back off TV comments

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar addressed his harsh comments about the Rams last night during the pre-game show on WKYC.

He didn't apologize for his remarks and defended his commentary.

"I love the game so much and there’s no way I’d want to disrespect or hurt or make fun of any players or coaches,'' Kosar said of his take on the Rams. "That being said, the way I look at the game and the way I like to analyze it from a football perspective, it is what it is. Again, I don’t want to disrespect or hurt any of the players or coaches in the league. But I do like the way I look at the game and I have strong feelings about how the game is played."

Browns CEO Joe Banner reprimanded Kosar for his "personal and unprofessional approach" during the Rams broadcast, but never seriously considered taking him out of the booth.

Banner also reached out to the Rams, and Kosar called Rams coach Jeff Fisher to apologize.

On Sunday, Banner issued the following statement:

“We don't condone the personal and unprofessional approach that Bernie took with some of his comments during the broadcast Thursday night. We’ve spoken to Bernie, he understands that, and we would expect the situation is resolved moving forward. We’ve also reached out to the Rams organization and have shared those same sentiments."

Kosar, who ripped the Rams' receivers, third-string quarterback Kellen Clemens and receivers coach Ray Sherman, returned to his commentary role with play-by-play announcerJim Donovan for the second preseason game against the Lions.

In addition to Fisher observing that Kosar has "well-documented" issues, Sports Illustrated's Peter King asked Kosar via King's Twitter account if he had been drinking. King later apologized for the drinking reference.

Fisher acknowledged Monday that Kosar called to apologize, but declined to elaborate and said it was a dead issue.

On Saturday, Fisher went off on Kosar during his post-practice press conference for his harsh remarks.

"I feel bad for (the Browns) that they had someone doing their broadcast feel the need to speak that way about players," said Fisher, "specifically on our team and coaches for that matter.

"I'm just surprised that Bernie has such a lack of respect for players and this game. To be honest with you, I lost a lot of respect for him. It's highly unlikely he knew anything about our football team, but felt the need to make those comments. I don't think they were justified."

It was Kosar's comments about Clemens that seemed to most rankle Fisher. When he came into the game, play-by-play man Donovan told a story about Clemens having his daughter blessed by Pope Benedict XVI and giving the Pope an autograph.

Kosar said he didn't think he'd want the autograph himself, and added, "Bless me father for I have sinned. I have to watch him the whole fourth quarter."
Fisher retorted Saturday: "Bernie's got his issues; they're well documented."

Kosar's erratic behavior on local TV and radio is nothing new to Browns fans, who've been hearing it for years. But he's attributed it to post-concussion syndrome, for which he's receiving treatment.


(plaindealer.com)