Packers Jerry Kramer makes NFL Hall of Fame

MINNEAPOLIS (CBS 58) -- It looks like the wait is finally over. Packers legend Jerry Kramer has made the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

The five time NFL champion and five time all-pro guard earned his spot through the senior committee after waiting more than 40 years.

NFL films had previously called Kramer the best player of all time not in the Hall of Fame. He was the only member of the league's 50th anniversary team without a spot in Canton. 

G Jerry Kramer, who played 11 seasons (1958-68) for the Green Bay Packers and was a member of teams that won five NFL championships and two Super Bowls, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a senior candidate.

“On behalf of the entire Green Bay Packers organization, I want to congratulate Jerry on this well-deserved honor,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “I’m so happy for Jerry. His patience has been rewarded, as he will finally be going into the Hall of Fame after being a finalist 11 times. He was a key part of the offenses on the great Lombardi teams, as well as an outstanding leader. He’s remained actively involved with the Packers over the years and is beloved by our fans.”

Kramer was drafted by the Packers in the fourth round (No. 39 overall) of the 1958 NFL Draft out of the University of Idaho. He was named first-team All-Pro by The Associated Press five times (1960, 1962-63, 1966-67) and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times (1962-63, 1967). Kramer was also named to the NFL’s 50th Anniversary Team, the NFL All-Decade Team of the 1960s and the Super Bowl Silver Anniversary Team.

Kramer played in 130 regular-season games during his 11 seasons and helped Green Bay register winning records in all but his first and last season. He was an integral part of the Packers’ dominance during the 1960s, starting at right guard in five NFL championship games (missed 1961 due to injury), four of which were won by the Packers, and both of Green Bay’s victories in Super Bowl I and II.

Kramer delivered the key block that made way for Bart Starr’s game-winning touchdown in the 1967 NFL Championship against the Dallas Cowboys, a game famously known as the “Ice Bowl.” On top of being a big part of the offensive line, he also handled placekicking duties in 1962-63 and briefly in his final season. For his career, Kramer totaled 177 career points on 90 extra points and 29 field goals made. He kicked three field goals and one PAT in the 1962 NFL Championship Game win at the New York Giants.

Kramer is the 25th member of the Packers to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kramer will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this August. 

Watch Kramer get a knock on his door in the tweet below.

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