NFL: Kosar says he's off TV for slurred speech

Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar believes he has been unfairly sacked as a TV broadcaster.

Kosar has been removed as a color commentator for Cleveland's preseason games by the team. The Browns said Wednesday night he was being replaced by Solomon Wilcots, who will work with play-by-play announcer Jim Donovan.

Kosar contends he's been removed because of slurred speech he attributes to "a direct result of the many concussions I received while playing in the NFL."

"This is very unfortunate," he said in a statement, "as I believe my football acumen and ability to describe what is happening on the field has been well received by Cleveland Browns fans."

WKYC-TV issued a statement disputing Kosar's assertions.

"Nowhere in our discussions with Bernie or the Browns has anything ever been said about his speech impairment due to concussions," said Brooke Spectorsky, the station's president and general manager.

Pack up the pom-poms in Buffalo, because the Bills will be playing without the support of their official cheerleaders this year.

Stephanie Mateczun, whose company manages the Buffalo Jills cheerleading squad, said she has suspended operations through at least the end of the season. The decision was made two days after five former Jills filed a lawsuit complaining they worked hundreds of hours for free and were subjected to groping and sexual comments.

- Associated Press