Tommy Kramer is a former NFL quarterback who is best known for his time with the Minnesota Vikings. Kramer played for the Vikings from 1977 to 1989 and had a successful, albeit sometimes inconsistent, career as a starting quarterback. His arm strength, deep passing ability, and occasional brilliance made him one of the more exciting quarterbacks of the 1980s, but his career was also marked by injuries and some inconsistency in performance.

Early Life and College Career

Tommy Kramer was born on July 26, 1955, in San Antonio, Texas. He attended John Marshall High School in San Antonio, where he excelled in football. After high school, Kramer went on to play college football at the University of Tulsa, where he had a standout career as the team’s starting quarterback.

At Tulsa, Kramer set several school records, including career passing yards, and was known for his strong arm and ability to throw deep passes. His success at the collegiate level helped him gain attention from NFL scouts, and he was selected in the 1st round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.

NFL Career

Minnesota Vikings (1977–1989)

Tommy Kramer was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings as the 27th overall pick in the 1977 NFL Draft. He became the Vikings’ starting quarterback in his second season (1978) and was the team’s primary starter for much of the 1980s.

• 1978–1980: After serving as a backup to Fran Tarkenton in his rookie season, Kramer took over the starting role and helped the Vikings remain competitive. His early years were marked by flashes of brilliance, including several strong performances as a passer. However, he struggled with consistency, especially with turnovers, and the Vikings did not have sustained success in the postseason.
• 1981 Season: One of Kramer’s standout seasons came in 1981, when he led the Vikings to a 9-7 record and a playoff appearance. Kramer passed for over 3,000 yards, throwing 21 touchdowns and just 9 interceptions, earning a Pro Bowl selection for his performance. The Vikings made it to the NFC Championship Game, though they were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers.
• 1982–1984: In the following seasons, Kramer continued to be the Vikings’ starting quarterback. The team had mixed results, with some strong individual performances by Kramer but not enough to consistently contend in the playoffs. Injuries began to take their toll on his career during this period, limiting his ability to stay on the field and affecting his overall effectiveness.
• 1986–1989: The latter part of Kramer’s career was marred by injuries and inconsistencies in his play. Despite these challenges, Kramer remained with the Vikings through the late 1980s, occasionally providing solid performances when healthy. He played in his final game in 1989, bringing an end to his tenure as the Vikings’ starting quarterback.

Career Highlights and Playoff Success

While Kramer’s career was not defined by playoff success, he had some notable individual moments:

• Pro Bowl Selection (1981): Kramer earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1981 after a standout season in which he threw for over 3,000 yards and led the Vikings to a playoff berth.
• Deep Passing Ability: Known for his arm strength, Kramer was particularly effective at throwing deep passes. This ability helped him become one of the more dangerous quarterbacks in the league when it came to stretching the field.

Injuries and Inconsistent Play

Kramer’s career was plagued by injuries, particularly in his later years. His inconsistency—sometimes playing at a high level and other times struggling with turnovers and accuracy—also impacted his overall success as a starter. Despite this, he had several strong individual performances that helped keep the Vikings competitive during a transitional period after the decline of the Purple People Eaters defense.

Retirement and Legacy

Tommy Kramer retired from the NFL after the 1989 season, ending a 13-year career with the Minnesota Vikings. He finished his career with solid statistical numbers but never fully realized the potential that was seen in him early in his career.

• Career Stats:
  • Games Played: 106
  • Passing Yards: 19,141
  • Touchdowns: 113
  • Interceptions: 141
  • Passer Rating: 75.3
  • Pro Bowls: 1 (1981)

Despite the ups and downs of his career, Kramer remains a beloved figure in Vikings history, particularly for his contributions to the team during the late 1970s and 1980s. His strong arm and deep-ball accuracy left an impression on fans and teammates alike.

Though Kramer may not be remembered as one of the all-time great quarterbacks, he is certainly part of the Vikings’ history and had a significant role in the team’s offensive success during his years as the starting quarterback.

Summary

Tommy Kramer was a highly talented quarterback whose career with the Minnesota Vikings was marked by both flashes of brilliance and periods of inconsistency. Known for his arm strength and deep passing ability, Kramer was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1981 and helped lead the Vikings to several playoff appearances. Despite injuries and some inconsistency, he played an important role for the Vikings throughout the 1980s. While Kramer did not win a Super Bowl or achieve sustained postseason success, his contributions to the Vikings’ offense make him an important figure in the team’s history.