On Wednesday, **Minnesota Vikings** veteran quarterback **Tommy Kramer** made a heart-wrenching announcement, revealing his diagnosis with **dementia** and seizing the moment to champion for enhanced medical care for retired players.
The 69-year-old took to **X (formerly Twitter)** for this emotional disclosure, just a day after **former Green Bay Packers** quarterback and **Pro Football Hall of Famer** **Brett Favre** told a congressional committee of his own battle with **Parkinson’s disease**.
Kramer, sharing a deep solidarity with Favre, cited his announcement in discussing his own condition.
“After Brett Favre’s announcement yesterday, I thought it was best to let everyone know that I was diagnosed with dementia a little over a year ago at the **Cleveland Clinic** of the NFL,” Kramer posted. “Doctors say I may have 2 to 10 years to live. I just had my annual check-up and there is no progress in the disease, and I have been sober for almost a year, which will definitely help.”
With Brett Favre’s announcement yesterday, I thought it best to let everyone know that I was diagnosed with dementia a little over a year ago at the NFL’s Cleveland Clinic.
Doctors say he could be anywhere between 2 and 10 years old, I just had my annual checkup and he hasn’t made any progress and I’ve been…—Tommy Kramer (@Kramer9Tommy) September 25, 2024
From here, Kramer, who dedicated **13 of his 14 NFL seasons** with Minnesota, passionately shifted his discussion to a topic close to his heart— the **NFL** and the **medical care** tailored for its retired warriors.
“Football is the life we choose to live, and sometimes things like this happen,” he wrote. “I’m grateful to the NFL for the opportunity and I’m glad they’re trying to do things to protect today’s players. Financially, I’m fine, but I know there are players I’ve played with who need all the help they can get.”
“Unfortunately for me, the NFL will only attempt to help me with medical expenses and treatments that my personal insurance does not cover. I hope to raise awareness so that the NFL can help other and future players who are battling illnesses like mine.”
Kramer concluded his esteemed NFL journey with the **New Orleans Saints** in 1990, appearing in just one game.
