Sooner or later after Brett Favre’s surprise announcement that he has Parkinson’s disease, one other former Minnesota Vikings quarterback is opening up about his well being.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Sept. 25, Tommy Kramer — who performed 14 seasons within the NFL from 1977 to 1990 — shared that he was identified with dementia “simply over a 12 months in the past.”
“[Doctors] say I may have anyplace from 2 to 10 years, simply had my 12 months examine up and it hasn’t superior,” the 69-year-old wrote partially, and added that he was motivated to share his well being situation after Favre made his announcement throughout a congressional listening to on Tuesday.
“Please, no sympathy, I’ve lived an incredible life and wouldn’t change a factor,” Kramer wrote. “No one wished to win greater than me and I by no means gave up, and that is precisely how I’m going to battle this.”
He continued, “Soccer is the life we selected to reside and generally stuff like this will occur. I am grateful to the NFL for the chance and am glad they’re making an attempt to do issues to guard as we speak’s gamers.”
Kramer added that he additionally hopes to name consideration to different former NFL gamers “who I performed with that want all the assistance they’ll get” financially.
“Sadly for me, the NFL will solely attempt to assist out with any of my medical payments and remedy what my private insurance coverage will not cowl,” he wrote. “I am hoping to deliver some consciousness so the NFL will be capable to assist others and future gamers who’re battling sicknesses like myself.”
A San Antonio, Texas native, Kramer attended Rice College in Houston and was drafted within the first spherical of the 1977 NFL Draft. After taking part in nearly all of his profession in Minnesota, he was signed by the New Orleans Saints in 1990 and performed one recreation with the workforce earlier than he retired.
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Following Favre’s disclosure that he has Parkinson’s — which he made throughout a listening to earlier than Congress about his alleged mishandling of Mississippi welfare funds — the retired athlete said in a post on X that he’s grateful for individuals who have been “supportive.”
“As you understand, I used to be lately identified w/ Parkinson’s which has been an ordeal,” he wrote. “My spouse, household and pals have been supportive and I wish to thank them for being there for me.”
The Corridor of Fame quarterback concluded, “To my followers and people wishing effectively — thanks all for the love.”