Jerry Kramer is Back in the Hall of Fame Mix
We’ve been saying for a long time that former Green Bay Packers guard Jerry Kramer deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
We’ve also detailed plenty of reasons why he isn’t.
But the bottom line is this, his credentials are impeccable. Perhaps the most telling is this: Kramer is the single player on the NFL’s 50th Anniversary Team NOT in the Hall of Fame. How does that make any sense?
There are of course the five-time first-team All Pros, three Pro Bowls, and the fact that he’s a member of the 1960s All-Decade Team.
So Kramer will get another run this go-round. Kramer was named a senior finalist for the Hall of Fame on Thursday.
This is the second time he has been considered by the Senior Committee. Kramer was a finalist nine times through the regular election.
Maybe the 11th time is the charm?
It seems that if Kramer wasn’t elected 10 other times, he isn’t going to make it. The voters have heard the case and for whatever reason, haven’t liked it.
However, it’s certainly not a lost cause. One of our favorite guys, linebacker Dave Robinson, who played on those same Lombardi teams, got the Senior Committee nod in 2013. A well-deserved one and a long time coming.
We’d love to see Kramer finally get in. He deserves to be in. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely to be a slam dunk.
If they correct this travesty, maybe they can move on and put the next two Packers who deserve to be there in: Sterling Sharpe and LeRoy Butler.
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Kramer wrote the very successful book “Instant Replay”. There was something in that book that annoyed a lot of Hall of Fame voters. I’m not really even sure what it is, but I have heard that said a few times. Those guys are probably all dead now, so Kramer might be able to get in.
It is way past time. This is the year for Kramer. The selection committee just needs to put aside the off field, locker room or media perceived or real misconduct. Kramer should be in because of what he accomplished on the field.
Shame on the NFL hall of fame if they do not put out a belated welcome mat for Kramer, while welcoming OJ Simpson.
Obviously Kramer has the credentials to be in the Hall of Fame and I’m not saying he shouldn’t be, but at this point does it even matter? The HoF is a popularity contest. Clearly they are keeping Kramer out for some stupid reason that no one will announce publicly. Kramer has gotten more recognition by not being in the HoF than he ever would have by being inducted 30-40 years ago. We all know what he has accomplished and getting the approval of the HoF doesn’t change any of that, nor will it make his career any more meaningful. It’s a joke. If Kramer gets voted in, after being denied 10 times already, then great. If not, then to me it’s whatever.
I think it does matter to Kramer. It also matters to Kramer’s family including but not limited to wife, children, grandchildren. I don’t watch a lot of the hall of fame speeches, but when I do you can see how proud family and friends are in the audience. Many of the presenters of the inductees are close family members or friends. It is something most family members can take pride in for generations.
I understand what you’re saying, but Kramer’s family shouldn’t need the HoF’s approval to be proud of him.
“Kramer is the single player on the NFL’s 50th Anniversary Team NOT in the Hall of Fame.
five-time first-team All Pros, three Pro Bowls, a member of the 1960s All-Decade Team.”
There is plenty to be proud of there. And after being denied induction ten times it just shows what a joke this all is. If he finally gets inducted then great. If he doesn’t, Kramer is still a hall of famer whether the NFL want’s to admit it or not. Don’t rely on someone else to tell you your worth.
You are correct Kramer’s family does not need the hall of fames approval to be proud of him. If you think “it’s whatever or does it even matter” then I respectfully disagree.
It would mean a lot to Kramer and his family and friends for Kramer to be inducted. You have to know that it would be an additional source of great pride that family members and friends for generations can remember and visit.
Like I wrote before I don’t watch many of the ceremonies but over the years I have watched some and have read accounts of many more. The inductees for the most part including those who present them exclaim how proud and humbled they are for the honor. Several grown men cry when they are told they made it. It is an honor that Kramer and his family and friends would take great PRIDE in just like every, or almost every other inductee and their families have.