Former Viking Tommy Kramer shares dementia diagnosis
Alicia Tipcke WDIO
Vikings helmet. Credit: MGN
Former Minnesota Viking Tommy Kramer announced on ‘X’ Wednesday that he has dementia. He sited Brett Favre’s announcement regarding his Parkinson’s diagnosis Tuesday as his reason for sharing now.
Kramer wrote, “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.” He went on to say, “football is the life we chose to live and sometimes stuff like this can happen…I’m grateful to the NFL for the opportunity and am glad they are trying to do things to protect today’s players.”
Regarding the payment of treatment Kramer added, “the NFL will only try to help out with any of my medical bills and therapy what my personal insurance won’t cover.”
Kramer, now 69-years-old, was a quarterback in the NFL from 1977-1990. He was drafted by the Vikings in the first round in 1977 and played in Minnesota until 1989. He spent his final season with the New Orleans Saints.
Kramer was named to the Pro Bowl in 1986, the same year he won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award.