History of Jerry Kramer in Timeline

Jerry Kramer is a former professional American football player renowned for his 11-year career as a guard and kicker with the Green Bay Packers. Kramer achieved significant success with the Packers and was eventually inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Besides his on-field accomplishments, Kramer is also an author and sports commentator.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

January 23, 1936: Gerald Louis Kramer Born

On January 23, 1936, Gerald Louis Kramer was born. He later became a professional football player, author, and sports commentator.

1953: Accident on Family Farm

In the summer of 1953, Jerry Kramer was injured in an accident on his family's farm when a splinter of wood pierced his abdomen.

1954: Graduation and Football Scholarship

In 1954, Jerry Kramer graduated from Sandpoint High School and accepted a football scholarship to the University of Idaho.

1954: Kramer wears #57

In 1954, Jerry Kramer wore #57 on the freshman team at the University of Idaho.

1955: Kramer wears #74

In 1955, Jerry Kramer wore #74 as a sophomore tackle at the University of Idaho.

1957: Participation in All-Star Games

Following the 1957 season, Jerry Kramer played in the East-West Shrine Game and the College All-Star Game, winning both.

1958: Played Rookie Season

In 1958, Jerry Kramer played every game in his rookie season with the Green Bay Packers.

1958: Drafted by Green Bay Packers

In 1958, Jerry Kramer was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the NFL draft after playing college football for the Idaho Vandals.

January 1959: Vince Lombardi Hired as Head Coach

In January 1959, Vince Lombardi was hired as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers.

1960: All-Pro Selection

In 1960, Jerry Kramer was selected as an All-Pro player.

1961: Ankle Injury

In 1961, Jerry Kramer suffered a badly injured ankle during his NFL career.

1962: NFL Championship Game Victory

In 1962, Jerry Kramer contributed ten points as the Packers' placekicker in their 16-7 victory over the New York Giants in the NFL Championship Game.

1962: All-Pro Selection

In 1962, Jerry Kramer was selected as an All-Pro player.

1963: Described as Best Knuckleball Kicker

In 1963, Jerry Kramer was described as "the best knuckleball kicker in the NFL."

1963: All-Pro Selection

In 1963, Jerry Kramer was selected as an All-Pro player.

1963: University Retires Number

In 1963, the University of Idaho retired Jerry Kramer's number 64 on his 27th birthday.

1964: Illness and Missed Season

In 1964, Jerry Kramer played the first two games but missed the rest of the season due to being diagnosed with actinomycosis.

May 1965: Wood Fragment Removal Surgery

In May 1965, Jerry Kramer underwent surgery to remove wood fragments from his abdomen and reclaimed his position, contributing to the Packers' NFL titles.

1966: All-Pro Selection

In 1966, Jerry Kramer was selected as an All-Pro player.

1967: Instant Replay Published

In 1967, Jerry Kramer collaborated with Dick Schaap on his first book, the best-selling "Instant Replay", a diary of the season.

1967: All-Pro Selection

In 1967, Jerry Kramer was selected as an All-Pro player.

January 1968: Lombardi's Final Locker Room Address

In January 1968, Vince Lombardi gave his final locker room address as the head coach of the Packers immediately after Super Bowl II.

1968: Plays under Phil Bengtson

In 1968, Jerry Kramer played his last season under new head coach Phil Bengtson and later wrote a second book, Farewell to Football.

1968: Placekicker

In 1968, Jerry Kramer was the team's placekicker for part of the season.

May 1969: Retirement from Football

In May 1969, Jerry Kramer retired as a player and briefly worked as a color commentator on CBS' NFL telecasts.

1969: Broadcasting Career Begins

In 1969, Jerry Kramer started his broadcasting career as a color commentator for CBS.

1970: Edited Lombardi: Winning Is the Only Thing

Following Vince Lombardi's death from cancer in 1970, Jerry Kramer edited "Lombardi: Winning Is the Only Thing," a collection of reminiscences.

1984: Team Reunion at Lambeau Field

In 1984, The Packers' Super Bowl I championship team had a reunion at Lambeau Field.

1985: Wrote Distant Replay

In 1985, Jerry Kramer wrote "Distant Replay," updating the whereabouts of the Packers' Super Bowl I team members.

September 11, 1988: Commentator for Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills

On September 11, 1988, Jerry Kramer was a color commentator for NBC for the Miami Dolphins versus Buffalo Bills game.

1993: Elected to Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame

In 1993, Jerry Kramer was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.

2003: Named to Hall of Very Good

In 2003, Jerry Kramer was named to the Professional Football Researchers Association Hall of Very Good.

2003: Son Jordan Plays in NFL

In 2003, Jerry Kramer's youngest son, Jordan Kramer, played in the NFL as a linebacker with the Tennessee Titans.

2004: Son Jordan Plays in NFL

In 2004, Jerry Kramer's youngest son, Jordan Kramer, played in the NFL as a linebacker with the Tennessee Titans.

October 2005: Released Inside the Locker Room

In October 2005, Jerry Kramer released "Inside the Locker Room", a CD set including Lombardi's final locker room address.

September 2006: Re-released Instant Replay

In September 2006, Jerry Kramer re-released his 1968 bestseller, "Instant Replay".

2008: Ranked #1 Player Not in Hall of Fame

In 2008, Jerry Kramer was rated No. 1 in NFL Network's Top 10 list of players not in the Hall of Fame.

2016: Auctioned Memorabilia for College Funds

In early 2016, after turning eighty, Jerry Kramer auctioned off several items of memorabilia, including his Super Bowl ring, to raise college funds for his grandchildren.

August 24, 2017: Named Hall of Fame Finalist

On August 24, 2017, Jerry Kramer was named as a Seniors Committee finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for 2018.

February 3, 2018: Selected for Hall of Fame Induction

On February 3, 2018, Jerry Kramer was selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2018 class.

August 4, 2018: Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

On August 4, 2018, Jerry Kramer was officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He gave an induction speech quoting his high school coach.