In a sport often defined by touchdowns and tackles, the Cleveland Browns delivered something far more profound in their Week 17 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers: a moment of raw humanity. Before kickoff, the team honored Kimberly Dunlap Kane as the Dawg Pound Captain—a rare and deeply personal tribute to her late son, Bryce Dunlap, whose liver donation saved the life of Browns legend Bernie Kosar .
This wasn’t just ceremonial fanfare. It was a full-stadium acknowledgment of an act so selfless it transcended football itself. And it all began with a 20-year-old from Cleveland who chose to give part of himself to a stranger in need.
Table of Contents
- Who Was Bryce Dunlap?
- Bernard Kosar’s Health Crisis and the Call for a Donor
- The Bryce Dunlap Liver Donation That Saved a Legend
- A Rare Honor: Dawg Pound Captain for a Family of Heroes
- Why This Moment Matters Beyond Football
- How to Become an Organ Donor: A Call to Action
- Conclusion: A Legacy of Giving in Cleveland
- Sources
Who Was Bryce Dunlap?
Bryce Dunlap wasn’t a celebrity. He wasn’t an athlete. He was a young man from Cleveland with a quiet demeanor and a huge heart. Friends described him as “the person who’d give you his last dollar” and “always looking out for others.”
In 2019, when he learned that former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar was suffering from liver failure due to years of medication for concussion-related symptoms, Bryce didn’t hesitate. Despite having no personal connection to Kosar, he stepped forward as a potential living donor.
Living liver donation is a major surgery—risky, painful, and requiring months of recovery. Yet Bryce underwent tests, cleared medical hurdles, and ultimately gave 60% of his liver to Kosar in a life-saving transplant.
Bernard Kosar’s Health Crisis and the Call for a Donor
Bernie Kosar, the beloved quarterback who led the Browns to three AFC Championship games in the 1980s, had been battling severe health issues for years. After retiring, he struggled with the long-term effects of repeated head trauma, requiring multiple medications that ultimately damaged his liver .
By 2019, his condition was critical. Doctors told him he needed a transplant within months—or face certain death. A public appeal was made, but compatible living donors are extremely rare. Blood type, liver size, and overall health must align perfectly.
Then came Bryce—a perfect match in every way.
The Bryce Dunlap Liver Donation That Saved a Legend
The transplant surgery was successful. Kosar’s health improved dramatically, and he later called Bryce “my hero” in interviews. But the story took a heartbreaking turn: Bryce passed away in 2023 under tragic circumstances unrelated to the donation.
His death left a void in Cleveland—but also a legacy. Kosar, forever grateful, has since become an outspoken advocate for organ donation, often crediting Bryce for giving him a second chance at life.
“He didn’t know me,” Kosar said in an emotional video message played at FirstEnergy Stadium. “He just saw someone in need—and he acted. That’s the definition of courage.”
A Rare Honor: Dawg Pound Captain for a Family of Heroes
The Dawg Pound Captain is typically a fan chosen for their passion or community impact—but rarely is the selection so deeply personal. By inviting Kimberly Dunlap Kane to lead the team onto the field, the Browns turned a football tradition into a memorial and a celebration of her son’s sacrifice.
Wearing a custom jersey with “DUNLAP” and the number 61 (representing 2061—the year Bryce’s liver would’ve regenerated, symbolically), Kimberly received a standing ovation from over 70,000 fans.
The Browns also partnered with organdonor.gov to promote donor registration during the game, turning the spotlight into a public service moment .
Why This Moment Matters Beyond Football
This story resonates because it cuts through the noise of modern sports. In an era of contracts, controversies, and commercialism, the Browns chose to center a narrative of compassion, sacrifice, and community.
It also highlights a critical health issue: over 100,000 people in the U.S. are currently on the organ transplant waiting list, and 17 die each day waiting for a match . Living donors like Bryce are rare—yet they can save lives instantly.
How to Become an Organ Donor: A Call to Action
You don’t need to donate part of your liver to make a difference. Here’s how you can help:
- Register as an organ donor: Visit organdonor.gov or sign up at your DMV.
- Discuss your wishes with family: Consent from next of kin is often required, even if you’re registered.
- Learn about living donation: Kidneys and parts of the liver can be donated while alive. Screening is free and confidential.
- Share stories like Bryce’s: Awareness saves lives.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Giving in Cleveland
The Bryce Dunlap liver donation did more than save Bernie Kosar—it ignited a movement of gratitude and generosity in Cleveland. By honoring his family with the Dawg Pound Captain title, the Browns reminded us that the greatest heroes aren’t always on the field. Sometimes, they’re in hospital beds, giving part of themselves so someone else can live.
In a world that often feels divided, Bryce’s story is a unifying beacon. As one fan’s sign read during the game: “Heroes Wear Cleats… and Hospital Gowns.”
For more inspiring stories of community impact in sports, see our features on [INTERNAL_LINK:nfl-charity-initiatives] and [INTERNAL_LINK:organ-donation-awareness-campaigns].
Sources
[1] The Times of India. “‘My hero’: Bryce Dunlap’s liver donation sparks rare Browns captain moment”, December 2025.
[2] Cleveland.com. “How Bernie Kosar’s health battle led to a life-saving transplant”, October 2023.
[3] U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, organdonor.gov – “Organ Donation Statistics”, 2025.
[4] Bernie Kosar Foundation. “Living Donor Awareness & Advocacy”, 2025.