CLEVELAND, Ohio — For the first time since his no contest plea to a reckless operation charge, former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar sat down exclusively with Fox 8 for an interview to discuss how difficult the last few months have been for him.
“It’s been a nightmare that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy,” Kosar said during Wednesday’s interview.
Kosar was arrested by Solon police in September for speeding in a construction zone. He was charged with OVI and speed. Those charges were dismissed, and he pleaded no contest Monday to a reckless operation charge.
“It’s a nightmare explaining this to your children who heard some of the [misinformation] that has been out there the last day or two, to have to explain that to your 17-year-old daughter and your 14-year-old son,” Kosar said.
The officer, who arrested Kosar, wrote in his report that when he went to the Kosar’s vehicle he smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage, and Kosar’s speech was slurred.
Kosar says he was not intoxicated, and the slurred speech is due to the concussions he suffered playing pro football.
“I had a lot of concussions, there is a lot of physical issues, I’m not not looking for sympathy,” Kosar said. “ I am proud of playing, I love the game, I loved being part of that.”
Solon police released video of Kosar prior to and after his arrest, and while he did cooperate with officers, he did refuse to take a Breathalyzer test.
“I have always just been told how unreliable it is, and just don’t do it, and at the end of the day, I don’t feel like I have to make excuses or defend myself. I was told don’t do it, they are unreliable,” Kosar said.
Kosar added that he has three daughters who are now driving, and he would not drive while intoxicated.
“I take it incredibly serious about drinking and driving and the ramifications and the things that can potentially happen, that can happen to yourself and to others, and I don’t want to be responsible or be that guy who did something to other people,” Kosar said.
He added that he loves the Browns and is disappointed that he won’t be broadcasting Browns pre-season games this year.
“It’s so humbling to be from here to fight to come back and play here and to be living here and to see the fans support, it’s really humbling,” Kosar said.
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