Tommy Kramer

#9 · Minnesota Vikings
Retired 13 Years In The NFL
🏆 NFL Co-Comeback Player of the Year (1986)
Tommy's
HAIR
35.2
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Tommy Kramer or the Vikings?

Tommy Kramer Legacy

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"Two-Minute Tommy" Kramer embodied the Vikings' scrappy resilience during Minnesota's lean years, a gunslinger with a cannon arm who thrived in chaos. His defining moment came in 1980 when Ahmad Rashad hauled in a last-second touchdown against Cleveland—the "Miracle at the Met"—a play that crystallized everything fans loved about him: fearless, clutch, impossible. His 1986 comeback season proved he wasn't just a gambler; he was a legitimate talent, earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors while leading the league in passer rating. Kramer's legacy isn't measured in championships but in those gasping finishes that made Minneapolis believe, even when belief seemed foolish. A Rice legend who never quite became what his arm promised in the NFL, yet remains unforgettable.

Tommy Kramer Rating Breakdown

Season
Average
Fantasy
Average
Playoffs
Average
Overall
Chill
13 years with the Vikings

Tommy Kramer Career Stats via Wikipedia

24,777 Pass Yards
159 Touchdowns
158 INTs
55.1% Comp %
35.2 HAIR

Tommy Kramer Career Timeline

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2009 1

Vikings Ring of Honor

Kramer was inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor in 2009, recognizing his loyalty, gunslinger style, and key role in the team's 1970s-80s contention eras.

1990 1

Official Retirement

Kramer announced his retirement from the NFL at age 38 after brief stint with Saints, closing a career with 29,013 yards, 196 TDs over 14 seasons primarily with Minnesota.

1989 1

Signs with Saints

Released by the Vikings after 13 seasons, Kramer signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints, appearing in five games as a backup with minimal stats before retiring.

1987 1

Second Pro Bowl & Playoff Berth

Kramer made his second Pro Bowl in 1987 amid strike season, throwing for 3,000+ yards and guiding the Vikings to a wild-card playoff spot before a divisional loss to the 49ers.

1986 1

Comeback Player of Year

After battling injuries and alcohol issues, Kramer staged a stunning revival in 1986, earning AP Comeback Player of the Year honors with 3,000+ yards and 24 TDs while leading Vikings to playoffs.

1981 1

NFC Championship Run

Kramer led the Vikings to NFC Championship Game appearance, upsetting the strong Rams in the divisional round with 289 yards and 2 TDs before falling to the 49ers; finished second in NFC passing yards.

1980 1

Shoulder Injury Scare

Kramer suffered a serious shoulder injury in Week 5 of 1980 against the Falcons, sidelining him for nine games and requiring surgery, though he returned late in the season.

1977 1

First Pro Bowl Nod

Kramer earned his first Pro Bowl selection after a breakout 1977 season, passing for 3,635 yards and 25 TDs while leading the Vikings to an 11-3 record atop the NFC Central.

1976 1

Becomes Starting QB

Kramer took over as the Vikings' starting quarterback in 1976 following Tarkenton's departure, throwing for 3,741 yards, 24 TDs, and earning NFC Player of the Week honors in his first full season as starter.

1974 1

Makes Vikings Debut

Kramer saw his first significant NFL action in 1974 after injuries to starter Fran Tarkenton, completing 41 of 88 passes for 508 yards, 3 TDs, and 8 INTs as a rookie backup.

1972 1

Drafted by Vikings

Tommy Kramer was selected by the Minnesota Vikings as a first-round pick (27th overall) in the 1972 NFL Draft out of Rice University, beginning his 13-year tenure with the franchise.

13 years in the NFL

Frequently Asked Questions About Tommy Kramer

How does J.J. McCarthy compare to Tommy Kramer?

Tommy Kramer owns a proven Vikings legacy with 24,777 yards, 159 TDs, and that cannon arm lighting up the Met, while J.J. McCarthy's just getting his feet wet as the 2025 starter after a debut win Kramer held for decades—McCarthy's got the tools, but Tommy's the grizzled vet who lived the grind, injuries and all, without the national title shine.

Is Tommy Kramer in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Nope, Tommy Kramer's not in Canton, despite that '86 Comeback Player of the Year magic, leading the league in rating, and a Pro Bowl nod—his 159 TDs and Miracle at the Met heroics keep him in the 50 Greatest Vikings pantheon, but Hall voters skipped the wild Texan gunslinger.

What is Tommy Kramer doing now in 2026?

In 2026, Tommy's chilling in Vikings lore, signing up fans for his newsletter with event buzz and merch drops, while popping up for Gjallarhorn duties like that 2022 Rashad team-up celebrating comebacks—business savvy meets purple pride, no broadcasting gigs or charity headlines jumping out lately.

How would Tommy Kramer perform in today's NFL?

Kramer's live-wire arm and fearlessness would've feasted under today's pass-happy rules—no more 1970s thumpers teeing off on gunslingers like him; imagine 55% completions juiced to 65% with better protection, turning '86's rating-lead into Mahomes-lite numbers, though those 158 picks might still haunt.

How does Tommy Kramer compare to Fran Tarkenton?

Fran Tarkenton lapped Tommy as Vikings QB royalty—47.86 passer rating to Kramer's gritty 72.8 career mark (35.19? Nah, that's off), with Scramblin' Fran scrambling to rings elsewhere while Tommy battled injuries post-Miracle at the Met; both purple heartthrobs, but Tark's the escape artist who redefined the position.