Bruce Kozerski

Born in the small northeast Pennsylvania township of Plains, a suburb of Wilkes-Barre, Bruce Kozerski attended James M. Coughlin High School where he excelled athletically and academically. His blend of size, strength, and intelligence made him a force on the offensive and defensive lines. A natural leader, he served as team captain and earned All-Conference honors.

Kozerski chose to continue his education and playing career at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, a highly respected academic institution competing at the Division I-AA (now FCS) level. At Holy Cross, he was a three-year starter and earned All-East and All-New England honors during his college career. His intelligent line calls and physical play anchored the Crusaders’ offensive front, while his academic performance earned him recognition as a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete candidate. Kozerski graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a degree in Physics.

Selected by the Bengals in the ninth round of the 1984 NFL Draft, he earned a roster spot as the back-up center before becoming a starter in his third season. Over the next ten seasons Kozerski started every game for the Bengals except for four. These were some of the franchise’s most successful years, including the memorable 1988 season, when Cincinnati won the AFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl XXIII. During that amazing season, Kozerski was the cornerstone of the offensive line that provided pass protection for quarterback Boomer Esiason, the NFL’s MVP that year, and opened holes for star running backs Ickey Woods and James Brooks.

Nicknamed “Mr. Versatility,” Kozerski brought stability to the offensive line throughout his twelve-season career for the Bengals. He was a three-time Pro Bowl alternate, and his leadership in the locker room was equally valued. Kozerski served as a team captain and mentor to younger players throughout his career.

After retiring from the NFL in 1995, Kozerski transitioned into education and coaching. He earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Xavier University and became a calculus and physics teacher at Holy Cross High School in Covington, Kentucky.

He also helped start the football program at Holy Cross in 1998, where he served as an assistant before taking over as the head coach in 2004. The program reached its pinnacle in 2011 when his team won the Kentucky Class 2-A championship. After 20 seasons, he resigned from coaching to spend more time with his family, although he remained on the teaching faculty at Holy Cross High School.

Bruce Kozerski became a beloved figure in northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, where he has built a legacy in football and education

1991 Fleer Trading Card from Alchetron, the free social encyclopedia. Biography by Chris Aldridge.