Professional Career
Kramer became the starting quarterback for the Vikings before the 1979 NFL season after Fran Tarkenton retired. He was drafted by the Vikings to be the heir apparent to Tarkenton. He earned the nickname "Two Minute Tommy" for many late game come-from-behind victories. He demonstrated this on December 14, 1980, leading the Vikings to a striking comeback over the Cleveland Browns. With 6 seconds left, he threw a Hail Mary pass to Ahmad Rashad, who was clustered in a group of Browns defenders, yet managed to catch the ball and land in the end zone. This memorable pass earned the Vikings a playoff berth.
Throughout his career with the Vikings, Kramer suffered on the field injuries, resulting in many missed games for the team during the mid 1980s. He was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 1986 season, in which he was the highest rated quarterback in the NFL. Kramer was the first NFL quarterback to throw for over 450 yards in a game twice, and he once threw six touchdowns in a single game versus the Green Bay Packers. He was released by the Vikings after the 1989 season and was signed by the New Orleans Saints in 1990. He appeared in only one game for the Saints (ironically, against the Vikings) and retired after the 1990 season.
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