Erik Kramer Injured In Apparent Suicide Attempt
As first reported by NBC late last night, former Chicago Bears quarterback Erik Kramer was treated for injuries sustained from an apparent self-inflicted gun-shot wound after police discovered him that way in a Los Angeles-area motel.
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Per NBC’s report, the injuries were considered “non-life threatening” and as of this morning Kramer has survived the incident. Kramer’s former wife, Marshawn Kramer, spoke to NBC and believed that the act was a product of the depression the former NFL quarterback suffers from.
An ESPN article by NFL writer Jim Trotter posted back in March discusses the prevalence of depression in former players. In the piece Trotter talks about former players Boo Williams and Eddie George, and their experiences with depression. In light of last night’s events, it would seem that Kramer may be in a similar mental state.
Marshawn Kramer went on to call her ex-husband “a very amazing man, a beautiful soul” but said he has been forever changed by the depression he has suffered from since his time with the Bears. “I can promise you he is not the same man I married.”
Erik Kramer started his career with the Atlanta Falcons in 1987 as a replacement player and, after spending a few years in the CFL, returned to the NFL with the Detroit Lions where he would play from 1991 thru 1993. Kramer joined the Bears in 1994 and would remain in Chicago thru the 1998 season before finishing his NFL career with the Chargers in 1999.
Kramer concluded his Chicago Bears tenure with the fifth-most passing yards (10,582) and touchdowns (63) in team history. His 1995 season with the Bears still ranks as the most prolific one in team history. That year Kramer threw for 3,838 yards with 29 touchdowns, ranking just ahead of Jay Cutler’s 3,812-yard and 28-touchdown output in 2014.
Tragedy struck Kramer’s family previously when, on October 30th, 2011, his 18-year-old son Griffen was found dead from a heroin overdose.
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