One day after Brett Favre’s surprise announcement that he has Parkinson’s disease, another former Minnesota Vikings quarterback is opening up about his health.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Sept. 25, Tommy Kramer — who played 14 seasons in the NFL from 1977 to 1990 — shared that he was diagnosed with dementia “just over a year ago.”
“[Doctors] say I could have anywhere from 2 to 10 years, just had my year check up and it hasn’t advanced,” the 69-year-old wrote in part, and added that he was motivated to share his health condition after Favre made his announcement during a congressional hearing on Tuesday.
“Please, no sympathy, I’ve lived a great life and wouldn’t change a thing,” Kramer wrote. “Nobody wanted to win more than me and I never gave up, and that’s exactly how I’m going to battle this.”
Kramer and former Vikings head coach Les Steckel in 1984.
AP Photo/Larry Salzman
He continued, “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.”
Kramer added that he also hopes to call attention to other former NFL players “who I played with that need all the help they can get” financially.
“Unfortunately for me, the NFL will only try to help out with any of my medical bills and therapy what my personal insurance won’t cover,” he wrote. “I’m hoping to bring some awareness so the NFL will be able to help others and future players who are battling illnesses like myself.”
A San Antonio, Texas native, Kramer attended Rice University in Houston and was drafted in the first round of the 1977 NFL Draft. After playing the majority of his career in Minnesota, he was signed by the New Orleans Saints in 1990 and played one game with the team before he retired.
Following Favre’s disclosure that he has Parkinson’s — which he made during a hearing before Congress about his alleged mishandling of Mississippi welfare funds — the retired athlete said in a post on X that he is grateful for those who have been “supportive.”
“As you know, I was recently diagnosed w/ Parkinson’s which has been an ordeal,” he wrote. “My wife, family and friends have been supportive and I want to thank them for being there for me.”
The Hall of Fame quarterback concluded, “To my fans and those wishing well — thank you all for the love.”
