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Tommy Kramer said Brett Favre’s announcement pushed him to reveal his own diagnosis. (Otto Greule /Allsport)
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer announced Wednesday he was diagnosed with dementia over a year ago.
A Pro Bowler in 1986, the 69-year-old Kramer said he decided to share his diagnosis after Brett Favre revealed he had Parkinson’s disease during a Congressional hearing about his improper reception of welfare funds. Doctors reportedly told Kramer he had between two and 10 years of left, but a check-up after a year showed the dementia hadn’t advanced.
“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 said he was grateful to the NFL for what it has given him and its attempts to protect the health of modern players, but he also criticized the dire financial circumstances many former players face while battling illnesses like his.
A Texas high school football legend and a College Football Hall of Famer at Rice, Kramer was selected 27th overall by the Vikings in the 1977 NFL Draft, making him the heir apparent to Fran Tarkenton. He ended up spending eight seasons as the starter in Minnesota, peaking in 1986 when he led the NFL in passer rating and earned Comeback Player of the Year honors.
Kramer left the Vikings after being supplanted by Wade Wilson and retired after spending the 1990 season with the New Orleans Saints.
Tommy Kramer’s full statement on dementia diagnosis
With Brett Favre announcement yesterday, 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, just had my year check up and it hasn’t advanced and I’ve been sober for almost a year now which will definitely help.
Please, no sympathy, I’ve lived a great life and wouldn’t change a thing. Nobody wanted…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/former-vikings-qb-tommy-kramer-announces-dementia-diagnosis-014652060.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-09-26 01:46:52
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