Reliving Yesteryear: 1970 â The Curious Tale of Tribe Slugger Tony Horton (With Bonus Quiz)
April 24, 2014Todd McShay’s latest pegs the Browns with Sammy Watkins AND Johnny Manziel
April 24, 2014Yesterday the Browns and WKYC announced that Bernie Kosar would no longer be the color commentator for Browns preseason games on WKYC. Â Today, Kosar–by way of Mary Hipp at ThinkMediaStudios–responded. Â They’re none too happy, it would seem.
I’ll let him tell you:
I was informed yesterday by the Cleveland Browns and WKYC that I have been replaced as a 2014 preseason game day color commentator. I believe that this decision stems from my slurred speech impairment, which is a direct result of the many concussions I received while playing in the NFL. 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. I love to put the personal touch, pride in the Browns, and pride in our Cleveland community into the broadcast. 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.
â Bernie Kosar
Discuss.
[Related: Whither Bernie Kosar]
55 Comments
Can we just get Bernie the mental health help he needs first and get on with the bickering later?
“truly one of the remaining joys in my life.”
đ
Classy!
Yeah that one hit me in the feels too. My heart goes out to the guy who lost his marriage and his money; problems with his kids (daughter); and serious issues with his health and substance abuse–only to get dumped by the team.
Doesn’t sound like he’s throwing in the towel–and maybe I’m wrong, but I can’t imagine he’ll get another connection to the team or the game for that matter.
I don’t think this is going to end well for our old friend.
I think it’s a little deeper then slurred speech he went overboard wearing his brown and orange colors when he ripped the Rams during preseason last year but so what plenty of announcers do it these days. Maybe instead of replacing an icon like Bernie with a former member of the Cincinnati Bengals like Wilcots they could have chosen another former Brown.
Regardless people give Jim Brown a lot of room for mistakes I’m no different with Bernie Kosar. I’ll always remember how he wanted to come here and made sure he did at a time when the Cleveland Browns were almost as big a joke as they are now.
Nothing like piling on, Browns. You stay classy, now.
God, we couldn’t possibly have an unpolished analyst for our precious Great Lakes Classic.
Really sad. I don’t doubt him, but I wish he hadn’t said that. Puts everyone in a very awkward spot.
The Browns put themselves in an awkward spot.
I’m becoming pretty disillusioned by the way Hasgrum apparently has no concept of the “public trust.” Just because you have the power make changes doesn’t mean you should. Does Jimmy ever consult with fans before trashing our traditions and symbols? Is he that obtuse?
He’s been a Browns fan for about two years. Most of us have been fans for decades. But he apparently thinks he knows better than us.
Why alienate fans by changing things that do not have to be changed?
I agree with everything you said; however . . .
Bernie’s the one that issued the statement. Him saying that this was “truly one of the remaining joys in my life” is simply pitiful, regardless of how honest it is. It’s like the guy who spends days and nights weeping and calling his ex-girlfriend after she dumped him. Dude, if there was ever a chance that she might take you back, that chance is now gone.
We all get how deeply sad and anguished Bernie is. It kills me. I just wish he hadn’t said it. It did him no good, and good is what the guy needs.
As for Hasbrogrummer, I’m not really sure what other traditions he has trashed. Help me out.
I would hope that WKYC would reconsider utilizing my in-game talents
I don’t know why WKYC went another direction. If it was from the DUI, then they likely know it would have been better received to have been announced much closer to that event. I doubt it has much to do with the discussion during the Rams game (plus, he was correct in that analysis).
Regardless, there is only one way he is getting back one of his remaining joys in his life. It is up to the fans to assemble and make sure that WKYC knows who we want announcing that game. Otherwise, we have accepted their decision.
#PlayTheMan #PreseasonKosarForever
It is an act of desperation, not a pitiful act. Kosar is NEO native. He understands the power that is in the people from the area. His last card to play was a call out to us.
Isn’t there like a one hour pre-game show before pre-season games? Seems like the perfect spot for both the Browns and Kosar to put an end to all of this completely unnecessary drama.
“Act of desperation” and “pitiful act” are not mutually exclusive.
Throw the guy a bone for God’s sake he’s not even the QB for this pitiful franchise and yet he’s still taking hits!!!!
Why shouldn’t Bernie have said what he said? He had nothing to lose, since they already fired him. Besides, his candor is one of the things that makes him so popular. (BTW, the angst by the bed-wetters over his comments on the Rams was pathetic.)
One other tradition-trashing is the impending new uniforms, which I fear will be a real horror show.
Solly Solly, whoa – oh, how you can announce /
Yeah yeah yeah yeah /
I said a-Solly Solly, whoa – oh, Great Lakes Classic Bowl
If the Browns and WKYC are to take him back now, what would be the reason? His football acumen and in-game talents, or the fact that he essentially said that the Browns and WKYC have destroyed him? There was a more than adequate and undeniably valid argument based on the former to get him back – and I believe the fans would have led that charge. But now that he’s put the latter on the table, he’s made the Browns and WKYC look heartless. Though they certainly may be (and likely are) heartless, this has now become THE point – not that they fired a talented and immensely popular analyst. IF he, or we, are to achieve success now in getting Bernie back on the air, it will be because the Browns and WKYC didn’t want to destroy loveable old, tragic, pitiful Bernie. That helps nobody – and what would the Browns and WKYC do if and when Bernie is actually no good at analysis anymore?
I’m with you on the uniform possibility, but let’s not borrow trouble until trouble comes. Who knows? It may not come.
I get the feeling that Haslam or one of his goons told WKYC to can Bernie and then he made them share the blame for it. WKYC never had a problem with Bernie before, and I doubt that the off-season DUI suddenly made them come to Jesus. Plus, Donovan and Bernie appear to like each other a lot. I think WKYC understands Bernie’s popularity.
Those are just my impressions and not based on the slightest shred of actual knowledge.
UR JUST A MEAN OLD MEANIE!
http://media2.giphy.com/media/HJTBvT7cTQqFq/200_s.gif
Neither reason. The reason they would take him back is that the fans demand it. The peasants massing with pitchforks. Public outcry. The Browns and WKYC will come out looking a lot better than they do now if they admit they made a mistake and reverse their decision. Everybody wins.
Excuse?
Bernie has some serious mental health issues. My vote is to give him some time off and get him the help he needs, but if broadcasting games doesn’t get in the way of his healing, fine if he stays. But the main concern should be getting the dude the help he needs and worrying about all the other stuff, especially who is to blame for him being on the air or not later.
I guess the man no longer has any pride, so why not?
I guess I just would have liked the opportunity for the fans to love Bernie and demand his reinstatement whilst also preserving his dignity.
Shammy for the win.
Ouch! I’m seeing another side to you G_O and I don’t like it.
I’m befuddled by these non-responses. You’ve got a point to make? It’s clear that I won’t shy away from discussing it.
Shammy for the win!
What other side? Compassion?
One point is that I cannot successfully post a “joke flew over your head” gif. I apparently need help with giffing.
Well I guess that explains enough. Bernie Kosar’s mental health is a joking matter. Got it. I’ll let the children play then.
I miss Nev. đ
does Randy still own the P&T store in Berea? just a money making machine.
http://images.rapgenius.com/da7e807e855ef73724dcc86dc7264650.400x240x15.gif
First of all, scroll down to see my comments on Bernie. No one here is joking about him or his mental health. So you can dismount from that moral high horse. Secondly, HINT for you: Shammy’s joke is not about Bernie’s mental health. Now good luck!
GIF 101:
Post the gif link directly in the post. Do not use the photo button in the lower left corner of the text box.
Had an idea that I think would be fun. Throw away normal football broadcasting format since it’s the preseason and noone really cares. Put Bernie and Coach Sam in the booth and let them comment/discuss and see where it goes.
That was you being compassionate? That’s like saying I’m patient!
And Casey Coleman!
That would be awesome.
Ahhhhh! Thanks!
You clearly misunderstand me. I have nothing but compassion for Bernie. That’s why I don’t want him looking pitiful, and particularly don’t want him making himself look pitiful. He’s better than that. He sadly just doesn’t realize it.
Oh good, I’m late to the party (again…stupid work getting in the way of WFNYing) but nobody beat me to it:
http://media.giphy.com/media/pm4HZ2f3OjWxO/giphy.gif
(ok apparently I need to take GIFing 101 too…)
The more I think about this, the more I think that WFNY needs to exercise its not insignificant media muscle and get into the broadcasting business. Work out a contract with the NFL and the Cleveland Browns for exclusive internet broadcasting rights to the pre-season Cleveland Browns football contests, with Bernie and Sam at the helm.
There no high horse. Just frustration with the reddit-ization that happens here sometimes where gifs are a preferred form of discourse to actual responses.
Ah tough love? Okay then but just so you know you were getting close to being replaced as my new BFF around here. I’m just sayin’.
DO NOT ENGAGE I REPEAT DO NOT ENGAGE!!!!
Um. Awkward . . .
http://www.waysweet.com/z/awkward.gif
LoL brothers don’t shake hands brothers gotta hug!!!!
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/qmTRFvZ_Cp4/hqdefault.jpg
Loved Bernie the player. Liked Bernie the commentator. Simon Wilcots is a national-level mediocre. Having said that many of these comments give me the willies…
Neither the Browns nor WKYC owe Bernie anything. Not a permanent job in competitive businesses, not a lifetime of exhibition game commentary, not a QB coach position, not a seat in the war room … nada. No employer should have to worry that hiring Bernie for a little work is forever, or else. I truly hope his playing the public sympathy card is a manifestation of his problems and not something out of the Jim Brown playbook called “Y’all Owe Me, Remember?” If Bernie wants to do color, figure out what a station wants, work like hell on it and maybe (maybe) you’ll get a gig. If he wants a seat inside Berea, same, get ready to pay dues. Ozzie did that for Belichik, doing the work of a 20-something unpaid intern when his HOF career was over. If you can’t because of traumatic brain injury, ouch. But it’s entertainment, show-biz-not-show-friends. Tons of talented broadcasters and football men are working the minors or down the ladder. If his plea that fans run interference for him is not a result of his cognitive issues than he’s just lessened his little legacy, another ex-jock with an outsized sense of entitlement. Really sad. Hope he doesn’t keep doing it.
they do not owe him a job, but it is my feeling (and I don’t seem to be alone) that his commenting/analysis is greater than the expected output from Wilcots. therefore, as a customer, I demand the better product. sure, it might be slanted from my youthful memories, but I also like him discussing the game without any filter as he does.
Pretty harsh, Harv. No one has argued that Bernie is owed anything, and I doubt that anyone thinks he is. So that’s kind of a straw-man point.
And maybe he is playing for a little sympathy, but he’s certainly entitled to express his disappointment candidly.
Who said anything about a seat inside Berea?
I’m having a hard time seeing any “outsized sense of entitlement” here.
If he would have said candidly, then haslam would have demandedhe be brought back.