Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer has publicly revealed that he has been diagnosed with dementia. The 69-year-old veteran, who spent 13 of his 14 NFL seasons with the Vikings, shared this news on social media.
Kramer disclosed that he received the diagnosis over a year ago during a health checkup at the Cleveland Clinic, part of a wellness program for former NFL players. His announcement comes shortly after fellow quarterback Brett Favre revealed his own Parkinson’s diagnosis during a congressional hearing.
Kramer explained that he felt motivated to share his condition after learning of Brett Favre’s openness about his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Despite being diagnosed with dementia, Kramer’s doctors informed him during a recent checkup that the disease has not progressed over the past year.
In response to his diagnosis, he has made some changes, including giving up alcohol to improve his health and manage his condition more effectively.
In his social media post, Kramer expressed his gratitude for the life he has lived and emphasized that he does not seek sympathy. He mentioned that his competitive spirit on the field would carry over to how he fights dementia. Kramer stated that he is proud of his career, had a fulfilling life, and wouldn’t change anything. His determination to face this new challenge mirrors his approach to football, where he never gave up.
Kramer had a notable career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he earned the nickname “Two Minute Tommy” for his ability to orchestrate late-game comebacks. One of his most famous moments came in 1980 when he threw a last-second, 46-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to Ahmad Rashad, which helped secure a division title for the Vikings. His performance in that game, passing for 456 yards and four touchdowns, became a hallmark of his career.
Over his career, Kramer ranks second in all-time passing yards for the Vikings, only behind Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton. Injuries hampered much of his playing time, and he had just one full season as a starter in 1979. Kramer played his final season in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints in 1990 before retiring.
