More than two dozen Hall of Famers have endorsed the effort to put former Idaho football player Jerry Kramer in the NFL Hall of Fame, and now lawmakers from three different states are pushing their weight around in Washington, D.C.
Idaho senators Mike Crapo and James Risch, along with Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson and Georgia senator Johnny Isakson sent a letter to the Hall of Fame's Senior Selection Committee, voicing their support from Kramer.
Kramer, a former Idaho Vandal, is the only player from the Green Bay Packers' 1967 championship team who is not in the Hall of Fame. As an offensive lineman, it was his block that sprung Bart Star into the end zone for the winning touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL title game.
He was also the Packers' kicker.
Said the senators in the letter to the selection committee:
"One player whose time for induction into the Hall is long past due is Jerry Kramer. His career with the Green Bay Packers is well-known. In fact, many football fans in our states assume he was inducted years ago. If you mention "The Block" or "Packer Sweep" to a football fan, it is Jerry Kramer who comes to mind."
Kramer's supporters include NFL greats Frank Gifford, Roger Staubach, Joe Gibbs, Mike Ditka, Warren Moon and others. Each of them have sent letters of recommendation to the Hall.
Even Boise State University, bitter rivals to the Idaho Vandals, have come out in support of getting Kramer into the Hall of Fame. They have encouraged fans to write the selection committee:
Pro Football Hall of Fame
attn: Senior Selection Committee
2121 George Halas Dr. NW
Canton, OH 44708
The University of Idaho even created commemorative bobble heads with Kramer's likeness to support the effort. He averaged 58 minutes per game with the Vandals and played in three senior all-star games.
