Hall of Famer: Jerry Kramer '58

Gerald “Jerry” Kramer’s long-awaited call from the Pro Football Hall of Fame finally came in 2018. More than 50 years had passed since the Idaho Vandal alumnus and pride of Sandpoint High School helped Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers earn five NFL championships. The celebrations around his induction included a return to Moscow with his family as grand marshal in U of I’s Homecoming parade.

Outside football, the former business student’s far-ranging ventures have included commercial diving, oil investments, coal mining, motivational films and speaking. A bestselling author, his memoir “Instant Replay” remains a well-read classic. And his advocacy helped NFL veterans from past eras gain much-needed financial security amid health concerns.

Throughout his life, Kramer has retained a close connection to U of I.

“It was a magical time of life,” he said of his four years in Moscow, 1954-58. “The university is just a beautiful environment and an incredible experience. I loved every minute of it.”

Article by Brian Keenan, University Communications and Marketing.

Published in the Spring 2019 issue of Here We Have Idaho.