Best of the Packers: Top 10 tight ends since 1960
By Phil Watson
2. Ron Kramer (1957, 1959-64)
The Green Bay Packers took Michigan All-American Ron Kramer with the fourth overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft.
He played in the backfield as a rookie in 1957 and, after missing the 1958 season while serving in the U.S. Air Force, he returned in 1959 and became the starting tight end in 1961.
He was an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in 1962, with 37 catches for 555 yards and seven touchdowns and was part of two championship teams while in Green Bay.
In seven years with the Packers, Kramer had 170 receptions for 2,594 yards and 15 touchdowns. His 15.3 yards per reception average is the highest in team history for a tight end.
In August 1965, the Packers traded Kramer to the Detroit Lions for a first-round pick in 1966.
He played three seasons in Detroit before retiring in August 1968.
Kramer was named to the NFL’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1969.
Inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1975, Kramer died in September 2010 at the age of 75.
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