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Ron Kramer

End

Inducted 1978

Date of Birth

6/24/1935

Birthplace

Girard, KS

School

University of Michigan (1954-1956)

Bio

Ron Kramer was one of Michigan's all-time great athletes, starring on the varsity football, basketball and track teams en route to nine varsity letters. He was a versatile end; the Wolverines could depend on him for almost anything. Aside from his duties at end, Kramer could also punt, and as a sophomore in 1954, he led the Big Ten in punting. Kramer seldom played without injury, but still managed to score 102 points and bring down 54 passes for 880 yards during his career in Ann Arbor. Against Missouri in 1955, Kramer hauled in seven passes, three of which went for Michigan touchdowns, and set a new Wolverine record in touchdowns off receptions in a single game, as the Maize and Blue romped, 42-7. Kramer won consensus All-America recognition in both 1955 and 1956, and was also selected to the All-Time Big Ten Team and the All-Time Michigan Team. The 6-3, 225-pound end became the number one draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1957, and contributed to the Packers' championship efforts in 1961 and 1962. Kramer was an All-Pro tight end for the Packers in 1960, 1961 and 1962, and ended his career with the Detroit Lions in 1968. When Kramer retired from professional football he became vice president with Paragon Steel of Detroit.