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NFL·ANALYSIS·October 13, 2026 11:46 AM ET

Salguero recalls Bernie retirement call on 1996 draft morning

Kept news private, asked him not to tell Jimmy

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 54m1 min read
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Draft day morning 1996, phone rings and it is Bernie. “Bro, I’m calling to tell you I’m retiring.” Why? “I’ve played Via @ArmandoSalguero on X

What happened: Armando Salguero recalled receiving a phone call from Bernie on draft day morning in 1996. Bernie said he was retiring after a long career in which he lived out his NFL dream and earned a Super Bowl ring. He said he was not telling anyone else.

Why it matters: The account captures how a veteran quarterback chose to close his career quietly on one of the league's busiest days. It also underscores the personal trust involved, with the decision shared privately and Jimmy deliberately left out of the loop. Three decades later, it remains a revealing footnote to the mid-1990s NFL transition.

What to watch: The remembrance adds context to Bernie Kosar Day observances in Cleveland. Further installments may detail what followed the private call.

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