History of Tommy Kramer in Timeline
Tommy Kramer was a successful American football quarterback who played in the NFL for 14 seasons (1977-1990). Before his professional career, he played for the Rice Owls in college, earning MVP at the 1977 Senior Bowl and later being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. His NFL career began after being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1977 NFL draft.
March 7, 1955: Birth of Tommy Kramer
Thomas Francis Kramer was born on March 7, 1955.
1971: Earning a Nickname and a Starting Role
In 1971, Tommy Kramer became the starting quarterback for his high school football. During the season opener, he came off the bench to rally his team to a victory, earning him the nickname "Two-Minute Tommy."
1971: Texas State Championship
Playing quarterback for Robert E. Lee High School, Tommy Kramer led his team to a state championship in 1971. The championship game was the first high school game played at Texas Stadium.
1971: Undefeated Season
Tommy Kramer's high school football team went undefeated in 1971, their only blemish a tie against their rival Churchill.
1972: Texas State Semi-Finals
Tommy Kramer led his high school football team to the Texas state semi-finals in 1972 where they lost to Baytown Sterling.
1972: Successful Season
Tommy Kramer's high school football team had another impressive season in 1972, winning 13 games and only losing 1.
1976: Senior Bowl MVP
Tommy Kramer was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1976 Senior Bowl.
1976: Rice University MVP
Tommy Kramer won the George Martin Award in 1976, signifying him as Rice University's Most Valuable Player.
1977: First NFL Start
In the 12th game of the 1977 season, Tommy Kramer came off the bench to lead the Vikings to victory after trailing by 17 points in the fourth quarter. He made his first start the following week.
1977: NFL Draft and Rookie Season
Tommy Kramer was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1977 NFL Draft. He played in five games his rookie season, starting in one and coming off the bench in four others.
1978: Last Playoff Appearance
The Minnesota Vikings last made the NFL Playoffs in 1978.
1979: First Full Season as Starting Quarterback
The 1979 season was the first time in his career that Tommy Kramer started every game of the season.
1979: Becoming Starting Quarterback
Tommy Kramer became the full-time starter for the Minnesota Vikings in 1979.
1980: Comeback Player
Tommy Kramer became known for leading the Vikings to come-from-behind victories, with four of these comebacks occurring during the 1980 season.
1980: Return to Playoffs
Tommy Kramer led the Vikings to an 8-7 record in 1980 and a playoff berth. It was the team's first trip back to the playoffs since 1978.
1981: Wade Wilson Joins the Vikings
In 1981, Wade Wilson joined the Vikings, marking the beginning of his tenure with the team. This event would later intersect with Kramer's career when Wilson became his teammate.
1982: Playoff Appearance
The Minnesota Vikings, led by Tommy Kramer, made the NFL Playoffs in 1982.
1982: Second Full Season as Starting Quarterback
Tommy Kramer started every game for the Minnesota Vikings in 1982, only the second time he was able to do so.
1984: Rice Athletic Hall of Fame
In 1984, Tommy Kramer was inducted into the Rice University Athletic Hall of Fame.
1985: More Comebacks
Tommy Kramer led the Vikings to four 4th quarter comebacks during the 1985 season.
September 28, 1986: Kramer's Highlight Game Against the Green Bay Packers
On September 28, 1986, Tommy Kramer had a standout performance against the Green Bay Packers, throwing for six touchdowns in a single game. This game was a significant moment in Kramer's career, showcasing his passing abilities.
1987: Career-Ending Injury
During the 1987 preseason, Tommy Kramer sustained a serious spine injury that he has said essentially ended his career.
1987: Kramer Splits Time with Wade Wilson Due to Injury
In 1987, a spine injury impacted Kramer's playing time, leading him to share quarterback duties with Wade Wilson. This season marked a turning point in his career as injuries began to take a toll.
1988: Kramer's Playing Time Decreases
In 1988, Kramer's role continued to shift as his playing time decreased. He started in six games but appeared in four others, indicating a change in his role on the team.
1989: Kramer's Final Season with the Vikings
The 1989 season marked the end of Kramer's time with the Vikings. He played in eight games, starting in four, before being released from the team. This season represented the conclusion of his career with the Vikings.
1990: Kramer Moves to Texas After Retirement
After retiring from football in 1990, Kramer relocated to Texas, where he resided for the following three decades.
1990: Kramer Briefly Plays for the New Orleans Saints and Retires
In 1990, Kramer had a brief stint with the New Orleans Saints, appearing in only one game against his former team, the Vikings. Following that season, he made the decision to retire from professional football.
1990: End of NFL Career
Tommy Kramer's career in the NFL came to an end after the 1990 season.
2012: College Football Hall of Fame Induction
In 2012, Tommy Kramer was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
2012: College Football Hall of Fame Induction
Tommy Kramer was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
2020: Kramer Returns to Minnesota Following Divorce
In 2020, after his third divorce, Tommy Kramer decided to move back to Minnesota, marking a return to the state where he had achieved significant success in his football career.
September 25, 2024: Kramer Publicly Announces Dementia Diagnosis
On September 25, 2024, Tommy Kramer shared on Twitter that he had been diagnosed with dementia a year earlier. He chose to make his condition public following former Vikings quarterback Brett Favre's announcement of his Parkinson's diagnosis. Kramer aimed to raise awareness about the importance of the NFL providing financial assistance to players grappling with similar health challenges.