By Darin 🏈 The Architect of the Frozen Tundra
When you think of the Lombardi-era Green Bay Packers, you think of grit, precision, and the “Power Sweep.” At the focal point of that legendary offense stood Jerry Kramer. Born in Jordan, Montana, Kramer was the quintessential “Lombardi Man”—a player who endured grueling physical setbacks and near-fatal accidents to become the premier offensive guard of his generation. While he is immortalized for a single, bone-jarring block in the “Ice Bowl,” Kramer’s legacy is built on a decade of dominance that saw him win five NFL championships and two Super Bowls. He wasn’t just a lineman; he was the literary voice of the NFL’s golden age, bringing fans inside the huddle like never before.
Football Bio
Born on January 23, 1936, in Jordan, Montana, Jerry Kramer was a standout two-way player for the University of Idaho. Selected in the fourth round of the 1958 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, he became a cornerstone of the greatest dynasty in professional football history. Under coach Vince Lombardi, Kramer earned five First-Team All-Pro honors and was the only offensive lineman named to the NFL’s 50th Anniversary Team. He is most famous for his lead block on Bart Starr’s game-winning sneak in the 1967 “Ice Bowl” against the Dallas Cowboys. After a long-awaited wait that became a rallying cry for Packers fans, Kramer was finally enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
More Than Just a Block
Jerry Kramer’s impact on football culture is as significant as his performance on the field. In 1968, he co-authored Instant Replay, a diary of the 1967 season that remains arguably the greatest sports book ever written. It provided a raw, human look at the legendary Vince Lombardi and the mental toll of professional football. On the field, Kramer was a physical marvel; despite undergoing 22 surgeries during his career—including the removal of massive wooden splinters from his torso years after a childhood accident—he remained an elite kicker and pull-guard. His 11 seasons in Green Bay defined an era of excellence, proving that a guard could be as famous, and as vital, as the quarterback he protected.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 2018)
- 5-time NFL Champion (1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967)
- 2-time Super Bowl Champion (I, II)
- 5-time First-Team All-Pro (1960, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1967)
- NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team (Only guard selected)
- NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
- Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Inductee (1975)
- Author of “Instant Replay” (The definitive account of the Lombardi era)
- Lead Blocker for the “Ice Bowl” Winning TD
- University of Idaho Retired Jersey (#64)
