{{Short description|American football player (born 1936)}} {{Use American English|date=March 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Jerry Kramer | image = Jerry Kramer Topps 1959.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Kramer's 1959 Topps football card | number = 64 | position = Guard, kicker | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1936|1|23|mf=y}} | birth_place = Jordan, Montana, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3 | weight_lb = 245 | high_school = Sandpoint {{nowrap|(Sandpoint, Idaho)}} | college = Idaho (1955–1957) | draftyear = 1958 | draftround = 4 | draftpick = 39 | pastteams = * Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1958|1968}}) | highlights = * 2× Super Bowl champion (I, II) * 5× NFL champion (1961, 1962, 1965–1967) <!--ALL-PRO SELECTIONS BELONG ABOVE PRO BOWLS. DO NOT CHANGE IT. --> * 5× First-team All-Pro (1960, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1967) * 2× Second-team All-Pro (1961, 1968) * 3× Pro Bowl (1962, 1963, 1967) * NFL 1960s All-Decade Team * NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team * Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame * First-team All-PCC (1957) * Idaho Vandals No. 64 retired | statlabel1 = Games played | statvalue1 = 130 | statlabel2 = Games started | statvalue2 = 120 | statlabel3 = Field goals made | statvalue3 = 29 | statlabel4 = Field goals attempted | statvalue4 = 54 | statlabel5 = Field goal percentage | statvalue5 = 53.7% | statlabel6 = Points scored | statvalue6 = 177 | statlabel7 = Longest field goal | statvalue7 = 46 | pfr = KramJe00 | HOF = jerry-kramer }}
'''Gerald Louis Kramer''' (born January 23, 1936) is an American former professional football player, author and sports commentator. He played 11 years as a guard and kicker with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
Kramer played college football for the Idaho Vandals before being selected by Green Bay in the fourth round of the 1958 NFL draft. Kramer was an integral part of the famous Packers sweep, a signature play in which both guards rapidly pull out from their normal positions and lead-block for the halfbacks going around the end. Kramer was an All-Pro five times, and a member of the National Football League 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Before his election into the Hall of Fame at age 82, Kramer was noted for being a finalist for the Hall ten times without being voted in. In 2008, he was rated No. 1 in NFL Network's Top 10 list of players not in the Hall.<ref name="NotTopTen">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htLpCAJ0AX4<!--http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80999c60-->| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805224123/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htLpCAJ0AX4&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=August 5, 2018 | url-status=dead|title=Top Ten Not in HOF: # 1 - Jerry Kramer|date=July 31, 2008|work=NFL Video Galleries|access-date=February 8, 2009}}</ref><ref name="kramer2">{{cite web|title=Jerry Kramer|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=August 21, 2011|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KramJe00.htm}}</ref> Kramer was inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 4, 2018. At his induction speech, he quoted something his high school coach had often told him: "You can if you will".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/8/4/17634798/nfl-hall-of-fame-2018-time-tv-schedule-inductees-ceremony-live-stream-results |title=The best moments from the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony |first1=Ryan |last1=McFadden |first2=Adam |last2=Stites |date=August 5, 2018 |access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.krem.com/article/sports/after-50-years-of-waiting-jerry-kramer-becomes-18th-offensive-guard-to-enter-the-hall-of-fame/293-580152060 |title=After 50 years of waiting, Jerry Kramer becomes 18th offensive guard to enter the Hall of Fame |last1=Tripp |first1=Darnay |last2=Carroll |first2=Megan |date=August 3, 2018 |publisher=KREM CBS 2 |access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref>
==Early life== Born in eastern Montana in Jordan, Kramer moved with his parents and five siblings from northern Utah to northern Idaho when he was in the fourth grade, settling in Sandpoint. After graduating from Sandpoint High School in 1954,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.sandpointonline.com/sandpointmag/sms98/JerryKramer.html | title = Jerry Kramer, Right Guard | work = Sandpoint Magazine | access-date = December 2, 2010|first= Billie Jean|last= Plaster }}</ref><ref name=ovmess>{{cite news |url=http://www.cdapress.com/archive/article-2490adad-a00d-5330-b8fa-295a12ec606d.html |work=Coeur d'Alene Press |location=Idaho |last=Plummer |first=Eric |agency=Hagadone News Network |title='An overwhelming mess of emotions' |date=October 10, 2015 |access-date=September 11, 2017 |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912055111/http://www.cdapress.com/archive/article-2490adad-a00d-5330-b8fa-295a12ec606d.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> he accepted a football scholarship to the University of Idaho in Moscow to play for new head coach Skip Stahley.<ref name=gem57fbl>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1957/236 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Football: 1956 season |date=1957 |page=233}}</ref> In that era, Idaho was a member of the Pacific Coast Conference, the forerunner of the Pac-12.<ref name=gem58fbl>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1958/138 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Football: 1957 season |date=1958 |page=134}}</ref>
Kramer was a standout two-way player for the Vandals,<ref name=alum11>{{cite news |url=https://issuu.com/uidaho/docs/2011_spring/36 |work=Here we have Idaho |agency=(UI alumni magazine) |last=Paull |first=Becky |title=Catching up with Jerry Kramer |date=Spring 2011 |page=34}}</ref> along with teammate (and road roommate) Wayne Walker of Boise,<ref name=btofpals>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2vNXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9vYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3608%2C96257 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |title=Battle of the Palouse |date=November 15, 1957 |page=13}}</ref> a future All-Pro linebacker with the Detroit Lions. Following the 1957 season, both played on the winning side in the East-West Shrine Game in late December in San Francisco,<ref name=ilsawte>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PqtfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1030%2C7582907 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=Idaho linemen shine as West topples favored East, 27-13 |date=December 29, 1957 |page=8}}</ref><ref name=srwwebb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vS9WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=quYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6708%2C2161995 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |last=Boni |first=Bill |title=West whips East, 27-13 |date=December 29, 1957 |page=1, sports}}</ref><ref name=argdec57>{{cite news |url=https://digital.lib.uidaho.edu/cdm/ref/collection/argonaut/id/2798?_ga=2.146811314.404691314.1504546420-374550616.1499903542 |work=Idaho Argonaut |location=Moscow |agency=University of Idaho |title=Kramer, Walker drafted by pros; trio to Shrine |date=December 3, 1957 |page=4 |access-date=September 8, 2017 |archive-date=September 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908200701/https://digital.lib.uidaho.edu/cdm/ref/collection/argonaut/id/2798?_ga=2.146811314.404691314.1504546420-374550616.1499903542 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and at the College All-Star Game in Chicago in mid-August,<ref name=kmasslu>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EY9fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pTAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=996%2C5489789 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=Kramer makes all-Star starting lineup|date=August 15, 1958 |page=9}}</ref> in which they defeated the defending NFL champion Lions.<ref name=csrelv>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Eo9fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pTAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=984%2C5627506 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=College star eleven upsets pros, 35-19 |date=August 16, 1958 |page=8}}</ref> Kramer was also a starter for the winning North team in the Senior Bowl in January in Mobile, Alabama.<ref name=mjsbr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mkQaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ciUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2878%2C3876025 |work=Milwaukee Journal |title=Senior Bowl rosters |date=January 10, 1958 |page=16, part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=sdcvstr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=c95YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1197%2C2414190 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Vandal starter |date=January 10, 1958 |page=11}}</ref>
Kramer's number 64 was retired by the university in 1963, on his 27th birthday.<ref name=frhnr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0MleAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5574%2C3156415 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=Friends honor Jerry Kramer at Sandpoint|date=January 24, 1963 |page=2}}</ref><ref name=iret>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DdtYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4346%2C5786601 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |title=Idaho retires jersey No. 64 |date=January 24, 1963 |page=16}}</ref> (He wore #74 as a sophomore tackle in 1955,<ref name=gem56fbl>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1956/288 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Football: 1955 season |date=1956 |page=284}}</ref> and #57 on the freshman team in 1954.)<ref name=gem55fbl>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1955/206 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Football: 1954 season |date=1955 |page=203}}</ref> While at UI, Kramer was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity,<ref name=signu57>{{cite web |url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1957/230|publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Sigma Nu |date=1957 |page=227}}</ref> and also lettered in track and field (discus and shot put).<ref name=gem57trck>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1957/266 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Track: 1957 season |date=1957 |page=263}}</ref>
==Professional career== Kramer was the 39th selection of the 1958 NFL draft, taken in the fourth round by the Green Bay Packers.<ref name=argdec57/> Two other hall of famers for the Packers were taken in this draft: fullback Jim Taylor of LSU in the second round (15th overall), and linebacker Ray Nitschke of Illinois in the third round (36th overall).<ref name=psfptrid>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4tZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=byUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4669,1985067 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |title=Packers sign five players taken recently in draft |date=December 26, 1957 |page=19 |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117044919/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4tZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=byUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4669,1985067 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kramer played every game in his rookie season of 1958 under first-year head coach Ray "Scooter" McLean, but the Packers finished with the worst record (1–10–1) in the twelve-team league. In January 1959, the Packers hired a new head coach, Vince Lombardi, the offensive coach of the New York Giants.<ref name=lpapcf>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bR8aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rCUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7126%2C3546651|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal|agency=Associated Press |title=Lombardi picked as Packers' coach |date=January 28, 1959 |page=1-final}}</ref><ref name=lpgmc>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=n1VQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fg8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7179%2C3976983 | last = Lea | first = Bud | author-link = Bud Lea |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |title=Lombardi Packers GM-Coach |date=January 29, 1959 |page=4-part 2 }}</ref>
{{quote box|width = 27em | quote = Jerry Kramer did not know how good he was when he first joined the Green Bay Packers. You'd be surprised how much confidence a little success will bring. | source = – Vince Lombardi<ref>{{cite web | url = https://bleacherreport.com/articles/86920-nfl-legends-jerry-kramer | title = NFL Legends: Jerry Kramer | work=Bleacher Report|date= November 28, 2008|publisher= CBS Sports | access-date = December 2, 2010 }}</ref>}}
With Kramer playing right guard, the Packers won five NFL titles and the first two Super Bowls. He was also the team's placekicker in 1962, 1963, and part of 1968. As a kicker, he made 29 field goals, 90 extra points, for a total of 177 points. He also scored ten points, on three field goals and an extra point, in the Packers 16−7 victory over the New York Giants in the 1962 NFL Championship Game at frigid Yankee Stadium.<ref name=cham62>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_L1YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8egDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5229%2C4755956|work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Packers grind out grim 16-7 win |date=December 31, 1962 |page=8}}</ref> In 1963, he was jovially described as "the best knuckleball kicker in the NFL."<ref name=kkqlfs>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=td5YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ePcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5014%2C1986734|work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Kramer kicks quiet laughs |date=November 8, 1963 |page=12}}</ref> In college at Idaho, he was also a kicker, with Walker as his long snapper; Walker was also a part-time kicker in the NFL for Detroit.
During his NFL career, Kramer was often injured: among these were surgery to remove sizable wood fragments embedded in his abdomen from a teenage accident over a decade earlier,<ref name=fsplink>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v8sVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UBEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7375%2C1676100 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |last=Lea |first=Bud |author-link=Bud Lea |title=Find splinters in Kramer |date=May 12, 1965 |page=2, part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=spoinjlmt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qKZfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4187%2C1875207 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=Splinters from old injury caused Kramer's illness |date=May 12, 1965|page=15}}</ref><ref name=frmjph>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FbBYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nfcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6401%2C3320923 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Kramer surveys |date=May 13, 1965 |page=24}}</ref><ref name=mjfrph>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_FEaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nScEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1794%2C1371697 |work=Milwaukee Journal |agency=Associated Press |title=(Photo) |date=May 13, 1965 |page=12, part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and a badly injured ankle suffered in 1961. In all, Kramer played in 129 regular season games; he also had 22 surgeries in 11 seasons, including a colostomy, which he described as "a horror movie that hasn't been made yet."<ref>{{cite book|last=Kramer|first=Jerry|title=Farewell to Football|year=1969|publisher=Maddick Manuscripts Inc.|location=New York, NY|page=47}}</ref> Despite these setbacks, Kramer was selected as an All-Pro five times ({{nfly|1960}}, {{nfly|1962}}, {{nfly|1963}}, {{nfly|1966}}, and {{nfly|1967}}); he was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993. Kramer is a member of the NFL's 50th Anniversary All-Time team,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft10/news/story?id=5070884 |title=Fourth Round: Idaho's '58 specials- College teammates, roommates Kramer and Walker were fourth-round finds, NFL stars|first= Sheldon|last=Spencer|publisher=ESPN.com|work= NFL Draft 2010|date=April 14, 2010|access-date=June 1, 2011}}</ref> and was the final member of the team to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2003, he was named to the Professional Football Researchers Association Hall of Very Good in the association's inaugural HOVG class.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/hall-of-very-good-2003.htm |title=Hall of Very Good |access-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407184454/http://www.profootballresearchers.org/hall-of-very-good-2003.htm |archive-date=April 7, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On August 24, 2017, Kramer and <!--former-->Houston Oilers linebacker Robert Brazile were named as Seniors Committee finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2017/08/24/packers-legend-jerry-kramer-named-pro-football-hall-fame-senior-finalist/598701001/ |title= Packers legend Jerry Kramer named Pro Football Hall of Fame senior finalist|access-date=August 24, 2017}}</ref> On February 3, 2018, both were selected for induction into the Hall of Fame as part of its 2018 class,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Hes-In-Jerry-Kramer-inducted-into-Pro-Football-Hall-of-Fame-472534413.html|title=He's In! Jerry Kramer voted into Pro Football Hall of Fame|author=WBAY Staff|access-date=February 3, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/02/03/jerry-kramer-finally-gets-his-hall-of-fame-ticket/|title=Jerry Kramer finally gets his Hall of Fame ticket|date=February 3, 2018|work=ProFootballTalk|access-date=February 3, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> with induction occurring on Saturday, August 4.
Kramer also did some broadcasting as a color commentator for CBS in {{nfly|1969}}, and later for NBC - Week 2, with Chuck Thompson on the play-by-play, Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills, on September 11, {{nfly|1988}}.
==Work as author== In his penultimate season of 1967, Kramer collaborated with Dick Schaap on his first book, the best-selling ''Instant Replay'',<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.randomhouse.com/doubleday/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385517454 | work = Doubleday Books |title= Instant Replay by Jerry Kramer And Dick Schapp | publisher = Random Houae |access-date=December 2, 2010}}</ref> a diary of the season which chronicled the life of a professional football offensive lineman. The book climaxed with Kramer's lead block in front of Bart Starr to win the "Ice Bowl" championship game. Kramer and Schaap wrote two more books together. Kramer played one more year, under new head coach Phil Bengtson in 1968. Following that season, in which the aging Packers fell to a record of 6–7–1 and missed the playoffs, he wrote a second book, ''Farewell to Football''. After retiring as a player in May 1969,<ref name=btwkq>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q3hQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VxEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4938%2C5545024|newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |title=Bengston tells why Kramer quit at 33 | last = Lea | first = Bud | author-link = Bud Lea |date=May 23, 1969|page=1-part 2 }}</ref><ref name=kcnfms>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YrlWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=a-kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7370%2C3341256 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Kramer confirms: he's retiring |date=May 23, 1969 |page=33}}</ref> Kramer briefly worked as a color commentator on CBS' NFL telecasts.
Following Lombardi's death from cancer in {{nfly|1970}},<ref name=cftlom>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qVJWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ie0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5963%2C871229 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Cancer fatal to Lombardi |date=September 4, 1970 |page=16}}</ref> Kramer edited ''Lombardi: Winning Is the Only Thing'', a collection of reminiscences from coaches, players, friends and family of Lombardi whom Kramer interviewed for the book.
In 1985, Kramer wrote ''Distant Replay'', which updated the whereabouts of the members of the Packers' Super Bowl I championship team following a team reunion at Lambeau Field during the 1984 season.<ref name=kdripwbt>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NzEiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AacFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4205%2C3562170 |newspaper=Reading Eagle |title=Kramer's 'Distant Replay' is packed with better times|last=McGovern |first=Mike |date=September 21, 1986 |page=C-7 }}</ref>
In October 2005, he released ''Inside the Locker Room'', a CD set that includes Lombardi's final locker room address as the head coach of the Packers in January 1968, immediately after Super Bowl II. In September 2006, Kramer re-released his 1968 bestseller, ''Instant Replay''.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385517454&ref=gift06 |title = Instant Replay by Jerry Kramer And Dick Schapp - Hardcover |work= Random House |access-date = December 2, 2010}}</ref>
In 2023, Kramer co-wrote 'Run to Win' with Bob Fox. The book was published by Triumph Books.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.triumphbooks.com/run-to-win-products-9781637273005.php | title=Run to Win }}</ref>
==Health issues== Kramer was noteworthy for overcoming a series of accidents and health issues prior to and during his professional football career.<ref name=jhhi>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4tZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=byUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4669,1985067 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |agency=Associated Press |title=Jerry has had it |date=December 26, 1957 |page=19 |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117044919/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4tZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=byUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4669,1985067 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=blwkowg>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qphRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IBEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1361%2C7229762 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |last=Murray |first=Jim |agency=(Los Angeles Times) |title=Kramer: born loser who keeps winning |date=August 28, 1969 |page=1-part 2}}</ref> The most serious was in 1964; he played the first two games then missed the rest of the season, later diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic with actinomycosis.<ref name=jkbia>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L-JUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YjwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=7090,4556379|newspaper=Leader-Post |agency=NEA |title=Jerry Kramer back in action |date=September 22, 1965 |page=33}}</ref> After his wood fragment removal surgery in May 1965,<ref name=fsplink/><ref name=frmjph/><ref name=mjfrph/> he reclaimed his starting position at right guard and the Packers won three straight NFL titles (and the first two Super Bowls) and he was a first-team All-Pro twice more.
The original accident in the summer of 1953 occurred when Kramer was chasing a calf on his family's farm and the calf stepped on a board, shattering it and shooting a lance-shaped splinter of wood into Kramer's abdomen; after piercing his abdomen, the splinter partially exited Kramer's back between two vertebrae. Doctors cut the piece in two and pulled it out front and back; two weeks later, Kramer was at pre-season football practice at Sandpoint High School for his senior season.<ref name=jhhi/> As a freshman, he backed into a lathe in shop class and incurred muscle damage to a hip, and was later in a car accident. While hunting, Kramer's shotgun exploded, which significantly injured his right forearm. He suffered broken bones, torn muscles, and nerve damage, which required plastic surgery and skin grafts. Some of the lead shot also penetrated his liver. To this day, Kramer cannot use the little finger on his right hand.<ref name=jhhi/>
In college at Idaho, Kramer was on the field for nearly every play until the final game when he incurred a minor knee injury.<ref name=jhhi/> He played in two All-Star games shortly after.
==Personal life== After retirement from the NFL, Kramer lived on a ranch near Parma in southwestern Idaho with his second wife Wink,<ref name=snstrkf>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ab0jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tNAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6505%2C277556 |work=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=Idaho-Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Jerry Kramer's son makes name in track and field |date=April 2, 1994 |page=12D }}</ref> then later moved to Boise.<ref name=jk2011>[http://www.idahopress.com/cavalcade/article_4ef3bf68-5707-11e0-a2a5-001cc4c03286.html Idaho Press-Tribune] - Kramer remembers gridiron life - Football great enjoys exciting year, strives to make living better for others – April 2, 2011</ref> Twice divorced, Kramer has six children: Tony, Diane, Daniel, Alicia, Matthew, and Jordan. He has five grandchildren. His youngest sons, Matt and Jordan Kramer, also played college football at the University of Idaho. Jordan, named after the Montana town in which Kramer was born,<ref name="kramersite">{{cite web |url=https://www.jerrykramer.com/#author |title=Jerry Kramer Hall Of Fame |publisher=Jerry Kramer |access-date=January 6, 2020}}</ref> played two seasons in the NFL as a linebacker with the Tennessee Titans in 2003 and 2004.<ref name=jk2011/>
After turning eighty in early 2016, Kramer auctioned off several items of memorabilia to raise college funds for his grandchildren, including his ring from the first Super Bowl, which was sold for $125,000.<ref name=ring16>{{cite news |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press | title = Jerry Kramer's Super Bowl I ring sells for $125K at auction |url = https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14818801/former-green-bay-packers-ol-jerry-kramer-super-bowl-ring-sells-125k-auction |date = February 21, 2016 |access-date=September 8, 2017 }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== * {{official website|name=Official website}} * [https://govandals.com/honors/hall-of-fame/jerry-kramer/47 University of Idaho Athletics Hall of Fame]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kramer, Jerry}} Category:1936 births Category:Living people Category:People from Parma, Idaho Category:Sportspeople from Sandpoint, Idaho Category:People from Jordan, Montana Category:Players of American football from Boise, Idaho Category:Players of American football from Montana Category:American football offensive guards Category:American football placekickers Category:Idaho Vandals football players Category:Idaho Vandals men's track and field athletes Category:Green Bay Packers players Category:Western Conference Pro Bowl players Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees Category:NFL announcers Category:Writers from Idaho Category:Writers from Montana Category:Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame