Tommy Kramer, former Vikings quarterback, suffers from dementia

Tommy Kramer, one of the most popular quarterbacks in Vikings history, announced on X on Wednesday that he was diagnosed with dementia last year and that the condition had not worsened until his most recent annual checkup.

Kramer, 69, said he was moved to make the announcement after it was revealed Tuesday that Brett Favre recently learned he has Parkinson's disease. Kramer also said he wanted to raise awareness of the disease for those around him who may be worse off than him.

“After Brett Favre's announcement yesterday, I feel it's best to let everyone know that I was diagnosed with dementia a little over a year ago at the NFL Cleveland Clinic,” Kramer wrote on X. “The doctors say I could live anywhere from 2-10 years, I just had my annual physical and it hasn't progressed any further and I've been sober for almost a year now which will definitely help. Please no pity, I've lived a great life and wouldn't change anything about it. Nobody wanted to win more than me and I never gave up and that's exactly how I'm going to fight it.”

Kramer's “Hail Mary” against the Browns on December 14, 1980, also known as the “Two-Minute” Tommy, will forever be one of the greatest moments in Vikings history, or at least close to it.

Trailing by 14 points in the fourth quarter, Kramer led the Vikings to a 28-23 NFC Central Division victory when he hit a 46-yard Hail Mary that was deflected and caught one-handed by Ahmad Rashad, who was surrounded by several Browns players in the front corner of the end zone.

Kramer, who set a career high with eight wins this year (8-7), threw for 456 yards and four touchdowns with a passer rating of 132.7 in this game.

A first-round draft pick in 1977, Kramer played for the Vikings until 1989, ending his career with one game in New Orleans in 1990. He posted a 56-58 record, including 2-2 in the playoffs. He ranks second in franchise history in passing yards (24,775) and third in touchdown passes (159).

“Football is the life we ​​want to live and sometimes things like this can happen,” Kramer wrote Wednesday. “I'm grateful to the NFL for this opportunity and glad they're trying to protect today's players. I'm doing OK financially, but I know there are players out there that I played with that need all the help they can get. Unfortunately, the NFL is just trying to pay for my medical bills and therapy that my private insurance doesn't cover. I hope I can raise a little awareness so the NFL can help other and future players battling illnesses like mine. For me, it's still about the fans. As long as I can, I'll continue to be out there traveling to the small towns I love most and meeting the fans. Thank you for all the support and always remember, 'We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time.'”