By Darin How does a quarterback from a winless team become a National sensation and a first-round NFL draft pick? In the mid-1970s, Tommy Kramer did the impossible at Rice University, putting up video-game numbers long before the era of the “Air Raid” offense. Known for his late-game heroics and a cannon for an arm, Kramer proved that elite talent shines through regardless of the win-loss column. From leading the nation in passing to becoming the face of the Minnesota Vikings, discover the journey of the man they called “Two-Minute Tommy.”
Football Bio
March 7, 1955 – San Antonio, Texas – Rice University’s stellar quarterback of 1973 to 1976, Tommy Kramer, was born. Kramer led the nation with 3,317 passing yards and 3,272 yards of total offense in 1976. Both milestones gave him the honor of ranking second in NCAA single-season history at the time. The NFF’s bio of Kramer gives him the distinction of being one of only two quarterbacks in college football history to earn consensus All-America honors for a team with a losing record.
Also in that 1976 senior season, Tommy finished fifth in the Heisman voting and was selected as a consensus All-American. The NFF voters chose Tommy Kramer to be part of the 2012 College Football Hall of Fame induction class and preserve his football legacy.
Chosen by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1977 NFL Draft, Kramer compiled nearly 25,000 career passing yards and 159 touchdowns during 14 NFL seasons. In 1986, he was picked as the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year and earned a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl squad.
Conclusion
Tommy Kramer’s career serves as a testament to individual brilliance and perseverance. By earning consensus All-American honors at Rice despite a difficult team record, he cemented his status as one of the most talented pure passers in collegiate history. His transition to the NFL saw him become a beloved leader for the Minnesota Vikings, where his knack for fourth-quarter comebacks earned him a permanent place in the hearts of football fans. Whether in the Southwest Conference or the NFC North, Kramer was always a threat to change the game with a single throw.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2012.
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1976.
- Heisman Trophy Finalist: Finished 5th in the 1976 voting.
- NCAA Passing Leader: Led the nation with 3,317 yards in 1976.
- George Herder Trophy Winner: 1976 (Top player in the Southwest Conference).
- NFL Pro Bowl Selection: 1986.
- NFL Comeback Player of the Year: 1986.
- Minnesota Vikings 50 Greatest Players: Named to the commemorative list in 2010.
- Career NFL Stats: 24,775 passing yards and 159 touchdowns over 14 seasons.
- First-Round NFL Draft Pick: 12th overall selection in 1977.
