Tommy Kramer, a star quarterback with the Minnesota Vikings in the ’80s, announced Wednesday he was diagnosed with dementia. In a post on X, Kramer said he decided to go public after Brett Favre shared Tuesday he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Kramer, 69, said he received his diagnosis a year ago from doctors at the NFL Cleveland Clinic and was told he could have anywhere from two to 10 years to live.
“Just had my year check up and it hasn’t advanced and I’ve been sober for almost a year now which will definitely help,” Kramer wrote on X. “Please, no sympathy, I’ve lived a great life and wouldn’t change a thing. Nobody wanted to win more than me and I never gave up, and that’s exactly how I’m going to battle this.”
With Brett Favre announcement yesterday, I feel it’s best I let everyone know that I was diagnosed with dementia just over a year ago at the NFL Cleveland Clinic.
Dr’s say I could have anywhere from 2 to 10 years, just had my year check up and it hasn’t advanced and I’ve been…— Tommy Kramer (@Kramer9Tommy) September 25, 2024
On Tuesday, Favre shared news of his Parkinson’s diagnosis as he spoke to the House Ways and Means Committee. In a social media post Tuesday night, he said the diagnosis “has been an ideal” and thanked his wife, family, friends and supporters for their well wishes.
Kramer on Wednesday acknowledged the connection between his decades of playing football and his diagnosis.
“Football is the life we chose to live and sometimes stuff like this can happen,” Kramer wrote. “I’m grateful to the NFL for the opportunity and am glad they are trying to do things to protect today’s players. Financially I’m fine, but I know there are players out there who I played with that need all the help they can get.
“Unfortunately for me, the NFL will only try to help out with any of my medical bills and therapy what my personal insurance won’t cover. I’m hoping to bring some awareness so the NFL will be able to help others and future players who are battling illnesses like myself.”
Before his 14 seasons in the NFL, 13 of which were with Minnesota and the final with the New Orleans Saints, Kramer had a legendary career at Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio and then starred at Rice University.
With the Owls, he set a plethora of school records, including career passing yards and touchdowns, and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
He was drafted in the first round in 1977 as the heir apparent to Fran Tarkenton and took over the starting role in 1979. He became a fan favorite and earned the nickname “Two-Minute Tommy” for his penchant for leading late comebacks.
His best season came in 1986 when he led the league in passer rating, threw for 3,000 yards with 24 touchdowns to win the Comeback Player of the Year, was named an All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl.
“It’s still all about the fans for me, as long as I’m able, I’m going to continue to be out there and travel to the small towns which I love most and meet the fans,” Kramer wrote.
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(Photo: Otto Greule / Allspor)
