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Former Packers LB Dave Robinson

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its two senior nominees for 2013 on Wednesday. The class of 2013 will not be elected until February, but Wednesday’s news elicited two very different reactions from fans of the Green Bay Packers.

The good news–linebacker Dave Robinson was named as a finalist for enshrinement.

Robinson was selected to three Pro Bowls, while playing on three Championship teams under Vince Lombardi. The former Penn State standout played ten seasons with the Packers from 1963 until 1972 before finishing his career with a two-year run with the Washington Redskins.

But the bad news–offensive guard Jerry Kramer was left off the list.

It’d be a mistake to let the disappointing news about Kramer overshadow Robinson’s big day, but it’s hard to overlook the travesty of Kramer being left out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kramer was the subject of a well-organized and persistent campaign by his daughter, Alicia. Although Kramer, a ten-time finalist for Canton, appreciated the support, he told his daugther that if he would not want to see another campaign if he were not chosen this year.

However, the fight for Kramer’s inclusion in Canton is not yet over. There may not be a formal movement for Kramer next year, but regardless, Packers fans can nominate him on their own by going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Website. With the unrivaled support you can expect from Packers fans, Kramer is sure to be considered again next summer.  Read more... (281 words + 1 image, estimated 1:07 mins reading time)

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Weekly Green Bay Packers News from Twitter and other Sources by Al Bracco and Jayme Joers (As heard on Cheesehead Radio – 08/02/12 ). Special Guest was Alicia Kramer, daughter of Packers legend Jerry Kramer, who is leading a campaign to get her dad nominated for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Show can be downloaded from itunes here, or just click on the play button below:

Packers News:

Al: As we hit the air tonight, Packers training camp is in full swing and the first week is in the books. The biggest story has been the play of the re-invigorated secondary, with young players Devon House and Casey Hayward making big impressions on teammates and coaches alike. Both may have already passed Sam Shields on the depth chart, but it’s still early to conclude anything.  Read more... (705 words + 3 images, estimated 2:49 mins reading time)

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Jerry Kramer leading the famous "Packers Sweep"

It’s one of the biggest travesties ever committed against a member of the Green Bay Packers.

For a player who was a foundational part of the “Packers Sweep,” a play that revolutionized the running game in the NFL, I can think of no greater offense given to him.  As a key player in the great Packers teams of the 1960s, not giving him his proper due is an insult to all those already in the Hall of Fame who have played against him.

I’m talking about the former Packer great and guard Jerry Kramer.  If you’re reading this, chances are you are a Packers fan and by default are already knowledgeable in Packers history.  You know how much Kramer has meant and still means to this franchise, the greatest in all of professional sports.

The fact that he is not included in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio is utterly insane.  In fact, I’d even argue it stains the reputation of the Selection Committee itself.

It’s clear where I (and countless other Packer fans) stand on the issue.  I’m not going to fire off a laundry list of reasons why Kramer should be in the hall of fame.  It’s the same list we recite every year.  We are always countered with the argument that there are “too many” of Lombardi’s players in already.  TOO MANY? There is no such thing as “too many” on teams as great as the 1960s Packers were.  I’d say the same for 1970s Steelers and 1980s 49ers too.  Read more... (884 words + 1 image, estimated 3:32 mins reading time)

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Jerry Kramer Belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Jerry Kramer is the best football player on the planet not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And it’s not just my opinion, although I’ve written about Jery Kramer and the Hall of Fame before. Far more qualified observers than I, such as opposing players and NFL Films president and football historian Steve Sabol, have named Kramer as the best player not in the Hall. From my post above:

Jerry Kramer is a 10-time Hall of Fame finalist and thus, the only player named 10 times or more that has not been inducted. Many former teammates and competitors have come out and accused the voting writers of being jealous of Kramer’s success as an author. Joe Horrigan, Hall of Fame Vice President has said that 25% of the mail that the Hall receives on a daily basis is about Jerry Kramer. Steve Sabol, legendary President of NFL Films, named Kramer as his choice for the best player not in the Hall of Fame. Clearly, it seems that almost everyone except the Hall of Fame voters recognize that Jerry Kramer belongs. It’s beyond ironic that Kramer has earned so much fame, yet can’t get acknowledged by the Hall of Fame. The Seniors committee needs to nominate Kramer every year until all of the Hall of Fame voters come to their senses and this wrong is righted.  Read more... (467 words + 3 images, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)

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Weekly Green Bay Packers News from Twitter and other Sources by Al Bracco and Holly Phelps (As heard on Cheesehead Radio (7/18/11 ).

To listen to the show, click on the play button below. The Jerry Kramer interview begins around the eleven minute mark.

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JERRY KRAMER, G, GREEN BAY PACKERS

Career Highlights:

Played 11 Seasons for the Green Bay Packers, 1958-1968

Played in 4 League Championship games and two Super Bowls

Earned 5 Championship rings.

5-Time All-Pro and 3 Pro Bowls

The Case for Jerry Kramer:

A fourth round draft pick in 1958, (selected after Jim Taylor and Ray Nitschke), Kramer earned a starting job immediately. As a rookie, the 6′ 3″, 250-lb Kramer quickly gained the reputation as a tenacious player that could hold his own against the best defensive tackles. In 1959, a fiery new coach came to town and soon recognized Kramer’s talent. Years later, Vince Lombardi would say of Kramer, “He didn’t know how good he was…”

Lombardi helped develop Jerry Kramer into an All-Pro NFL guard.  Kramer became the key blocker to the success of the famous Green Bay Packer sweep. Along with fellow guard Fuzzy Thurston, it was Kramer’s job to provide the inside “seal” Vince Lombardi famously talked about, keeping pursuing linebackers or defensive backs away from Jim Taylor and Paul Horning.

While Hall-of-Fame membership has eluded Jerry Kramer, fame itself has not. In the historic Ice Bowl game against the Dallas Cowboys, Kramer threw the most famous and recounted block in the history of the NFL, giving Bart Starr just enough room to score the winning TD. Kramer also appeared in one of the most famous Sports Illustrated covers ever, the classic photograph of Kramer carrying Vince Lombardi off the field after the Packers’ Super Bowl II victory.  Read more... (1101 words + 3 images, estimated 4:24 mins reading time)

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