He set the school's all-time scoring record as team captain his senior year with 1,124 points, a standard that stood until 1961.ĭespite his 230-pound frame, he competed in the high jump in track. "I'll never forget that he used to bring our team apples because he remembered somebody doing that for him when he played at Michigan."Īs a basketball player, Kramer scored 1,119 points and was the team's Most Valuable Player as a junior. "He called me after every loss, and that meant a lot because it's a lonely feeling to lose when you're the coach at Michigan," former Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr said Saturday night. He played offensive and defensive end, running back, quarterback, kicker and receiver. 87 is one of just five numbers retired by the school in football. Kramer earned three letters each in football, basketball and track at Michigan and led the Wolverines in scoring for two seasons in football. "It was so fitting that Ron ended his prestigious career playing for his hometown team," Lewand said. Lions President Tom Lewand said in a statement that Kramer was one of the city's most accomplished athletes. He finished his career with three seasons in Detroit, the city where he grew up, retiring after the 1967 season. He did not play in 1958, when he joined the Air Force while recovering from a leg injury suffered at the end of his rookie season.
Kramer spent seven seasons with the Packers after being drafted in the first round with the fourth overall pick in 1957. He had his most productive season in 1962 with 37 receptions for 555 yards and seven touchdowns and was an All-Pro. Kramer caught two TD passes from Bart Starr in Green Bay's 1961 NFL championship victory over the New York Giants. The University of Michigan said Kramer died Saturday at his home. (AP) - Former Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions tight end Ron Kramer has died at age 75. Former Green Bay Packer and Detroit Lions tight end dead at 75ĪNN ARBOR, Mich.