Former Vikings QB Reveals Prior Dementia Diagnosis

By Ted Schwerzler |

Updated: Sep 25, 2024

The Minnesota Vikings have been rolling on the field to start 2024. Off the field they have seen a few of their alumni suffer some serious blows of late. The quarterback position has been solidified by Sam Darnold for Kevin O’Connell. That’s where all of the bad news stems for the legends though.

Minnesota Vikings Tommy Kramer has dementia

Earlier this week Brett Favre revealed that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The debilitating brain malady is something that will now stick with the 54-year-old for the rest of his life. In the wake of that news, 69-year-old Tommy Kramer unveiled that he has dementia.

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…
— Tommy Kramer (@Kramer9Tommy) September 25, 2024

Like Favre, Kramer played the quarterback position for the Minnesota Vikings. He did so during an era with much less physical protection, and that left him even more susceptible to injury. Dementia is defined as a chronic condition that causes a decline in cognitive abilities, such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning, that interferes with daily life.

From 1989: The last TD pass in the career of Tommy Kramer was this lob to Steve Jordan. It happened on 4th and goal to take the lead in Cleveland late in the 4th. Vikings would go on to lose in OT on a fake field goal TD, but still made the playoffs at 10-6. @Kramer9Tommy pic.twitter.com/gYqgrzXGBW
— Ryan (@funkydunkleman) May 29, 2020

In his announcement Kramer notes he could have anywhere from two to ten years to live. He has notably made positive healthy decisions in hope of extending that lifespan. Kramer does benefit from some of the NFL insurance policies available for former players. Those are limited however, and have restrictions regarding what will ultimately be covered.

Related: Brett Favre Has Parkinson’s

Kramer played 14 years in the NFL, 13 of which came with the Vikings. He was a Pro Bowl selection, and an All-Pro during 1986. He shared the field that season with teammate Mike Stensrud, who passed away from a heart attack last month at 68 years old. The NFL is the pinnacle of football, but it certainly can leave it’s alumni in a dark place physically later in life.

ISU Mourns Loss of Hall of Famer Mike Stensrudhttps://t.co/H1qCU9gXXR pic.twitter.com/sxemYhDUAL
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) August 24, 2024

The Vikings have seen Tommy Kramer be the life of the party in his post-playing career. He continues to be a significant supporter of the organization, and seeing him stay healthy as long as possible is something all fans can get on board with.