Roger Kramer

Roger Kramer (August 3, 1939 – August 6, 2023) was an American-born professional Canadian football offensive tackle who played nine seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1962 to 1970.^[1]^[2] Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Kramer attended Kalamazoo College, where he played college football from 1957 to 1959, before entering the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes in 1962.^[1]^[2] Over his career, he appeared in 125 regular-season games across three teams: the Alouettes (1962), Ottawa Rough Riders (1963–1964), and Calgary Stampeders (1965–1970), earning recognition as a Division All-Star in 1963, 1964, and 1967, as well as a CFL All-Star in 1963 and 1964 for his blocking prowess on the offensive line.^[2] Kramer, who stood 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 280 pounds, transitioned to Canada after his playing days and settled in Edmonton, Alberta, where he resided until his death from dementia at age 84.^[1]^[3] He was the father of actor Eric Allan Kramer, known for roles in television series such as Good Luck Charlie and The Incredible Hulk.^[4] As Portage Central High School's first professional football player, Kramer's athletic background also included lettering in multiple sports during his youth in Michigan.^[5]

Early life and education

Upbringing and high school athletics

Roger Kramer was born on August 3, 1939, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as the middle child of three brothers. He grew up as a farm boy in the Portage area of Michigan, developing an early interest in athletics amid a rural upbringing.^[3]^[1] Kramer attended Portage Central High School, graduating with the class of 1957. There, he emerged as a standout all-around athlete and Portage's first prominent professional football prospect, lettering in four sports: football, basketball, baseball, and track. In football, he earned all-state honors in 1956, along with all-conference recognition in 1955 and 1956, and all-Southwestern Michigan recognition in 1956, while helping lead the team to a conference championship during his senior year. His track achievements included all-state honors in shot put in 1957, where he placed third in the state meet and set a school record of 45 feet. In basketball, he lettered three times, set a single-game scoring record of 27 points, and contributed to a conference championship in his senior year; in baseball, he earned two letters on a championship team.^[6]^[5] Beyond athletics, Kramer demonstrated leadership as senior class president in 1956–57, underscoring his prominence in the school community. These high school accomplishments laid the groundwork for his continued success in college athletics at Kalamazoo College.^[5]

College career at Kalamazoo College

Roger Kramer attended Kalamazoo College from 1957 to 1961, where he prioritized his athletic development while pursuing his studies. His high school athletic foundation at Portage Central High School provided the groundwork for his collegiate success across multiple sports.^[7] Kramer distinguished himself as a multi-sport athlete, earning 11 varsity letters in football, basketball, and track. In football, he competed as an offensive tackle from 1957 to 1959, securing All-MIAA First Team honors each season and being named the team's Most Valuable Player in 1959. These experiences honed his physical prowess, culminating in a stature of 6 feet 5 inches and 280 pounds by the end of his college career. In basketball, he lettered from 1958 to 1961, earning the Most Improved Player award in 1959. On the track team, Kramer excelled in field events, claiming first place in the MIAA championships for both shot put and discus over two years while setting enduring school records of 43 feet 11 inches in shot put and 135 feet in discus.^[8]^[1]^[7] During his time at Kalamazoo College, Kramer met his future wife, Ilona Krastins. His exceptional contributions across sports established a lasting reputation at the institution, leading to his induction into the Kalamazoo College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.^[3]^[8]

Professional career

Montreal Alouettes (1962)

Following his college career at Kalamazoo College, Roger Kramer signed with the Montreal Alouettes on February 8, 1962, marking his entry into professional football as an offensive tackle in the Canadian Football League (CFL).^[1] Hailing from a small American liberal arts institution, Kramer represented Portage's first professional athlete, bringing his experience in multiple sports to the pro ranks.^[5] In his sole season with the Alouettes, Kramer appeared in 10 of the team's 14 games, primarily contributing to the offensive line in the Eastern Division.^[2] His role focused on line protection, blocking for quarterback Sam Etcheverry and aiding the ground game amid a unit that supported a balanced but inconsistent attack. The Alouettes finished the year with a 4-7-3 record, securing third place in the division and missing the playoffs, as their defense struggled to contain opponents while the offense averaged modest production.^[9] Kramer recorded no fumble recoveries or other standout individual statistics, reflecting his developmental focus in a season without All-Star recognition.^[2] Kramer's transition from American college football to the CFL required adaptation to key rule differences, including a larger playing field (110 yards long by 65 yards wide versus 100 by 53.3 yards), 12 players per side instead of 11, and only three downs to advance 10 yards rather than four.^[10] These elements, combined with the professional demands of faster pace and greater physicality, marked 1962 as a foundational year that prepared him for subsequent opportunities, culminating in his release by Montreal on November 9 and subsequent assignment to the Ottawa Rough Riders.^[1]

Ottawa Rough Riders (1963–1964)

Following his rookie season with the Montreal Alouettes, Roger Kramer was assigned on waivers to the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1963, where he established himself as the starting offensive tackle for the Eastern Division club.^[1] Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 280 pounds, Kramer provided crucial protection for quarterback Russ Jackson and anchored the line during key Eastern Conference matchups.^[11] In 1963, Kramer appeared in all 13 regular-season games, contributing to Ottawa's 9-5-0 record and second-place finish in the East, which earned the team a playoff berth.^[11] His blocking was instrumental in supporting the Rough Riders' offensive output, including effective run blocking that aided the team's ground game in division play.^[5] For his performance, Kramer earned selection as a CFL All-Star, recognized by both sports writers and coaches for his line stability and pass protection.^[5] Kramer returned as the starting tackle in 1964, playing in 14 games as Ottawa posted an 8-5-1 mark and again secured second place in the Eastern Conference.^[12] His consistent play helped maintain offensive line cohesion amid a competitive schedule, notably in protection schemes that facilitated scoring drives against rivals like the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.^[5] He repeated as a CFL All-Star that year, solidifying his reputation as one of the league's top offensive linemen.^[5] After the 1964 season, Kramer was traded to the Calgary Stampeders, as part of roster adjustments by the Rough Riders.^[1]

Calgary Stampeders (1965–1970)

In 1965, Roger Kramer joined the Calgary Stampeders as a left offensive tackle following two seasons with the Ottawa Rough Riders, where his prior All-Star experience positioned him as a reliable veteran on the offensive line.^[2] Over the next six seasons through 1970, he anchored the Stampeders' line, contributing to strong pass protection and run blocking that supported quarterback Jerry Keeling and the ground game led by players like Lovell Cole.^[2] His consistency helped stabilize the unit during a period of team transition in the Western Division, where Calgary competed against powerhouses like the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Eskimos.^[13] Kramer's excellence earned him recognition as a Western Division All-Star in 1967, selected at offensive tackle alongside teammates including quarterback Peter Liske and guard Bob Lueck.^[14] This honor highlighted his pivotal role in a season where the Stampeders finished 12-4-0, though they fell short in the playoffs.^[2] He continued to provide veteran leadership in subsequent years, notably during playoff pushes; in 1968, Calgary advanced to the Western Final, defeating Saskatchewan 25-12 before reaching the Grey Cup, where they lost 24-21 to the Ottawa Rough Riders.^[15] The team repeated the feat in 1970, winning the Western Division playoff series 2-1 over Saskatchewan and advancing to the Grey Cup, a 23-10 loss to the Montreal Alouettes.^[16] During his Calgary tenure, Kramer appeared in 88 regular-season games, demonstrating remarkable longevity for a lineman in an era of physical demands, with no reported major injuries sidelining him for extended periods.^[2] Across his full nine-year CFL career spanning three teams, he logged over 120 games, emphasizing his durability and impact as a blocker who rarely allowed pressures on the quarterback.^[2] Kramer retired after the 1970 season at age 31, concluding his professional playing days in the league.^[1]

Later life and death

Post-retirement activities and family

After retiring from professional football in 1970, Roger Kramer settled permanently in Canada, making Edmonton, Alberta, his long-term home, where he resided until his death, including at Touchmark at Wedgewood in later years. He was married to Ilona Krastins, with whom he had two children: a daughter, Lisa, and a son, Eric Allan Kramer, a notable actor. Ilona passed away in 2004.^[3]^[4] Kramer founded and operated a successful coffee distribution business, Aroma Coffee Services, in Canada following his playing career.^[3] In his post-retirement years, Kramer pursued a variety of hobbies that reflected his active lifestyle. He regularly played handball at the Royal Glenora Club and golfed at the Windermere Golf Club, where he recorded two hole-in-ones. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed annual fishing trips to Lac L'Orange and owned a family cabin at Destiny Bay. Kramer was also known as a master griller, favoring steak and seafood accompanied by red wine, and he took pleasure in singing country songs and embarking on road trips across North America with his wife.^[3] Kramer remained engaged in his community, coaching local children's sports teams and holding leadership positions such as president or board member for the Royal Glenora Club, Windermere Golf Club, Calgary Stampeders Alumni Association, and the International Wine and Food Society. One memorable family highlight was his appearance on Buckshot, a popular local children's TV show in Calgary.^[3]

Illness, death, and honors

In his later years, Roger Kramer battled dementia, compounded by physical decline from his professional football career, which progressively impaired his health. He passed away on August 6, 2023, at Touchmark at Wedgewood in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, just three days after his 84th birthday.^[3]^[17] Kramer's death was marked by a private family presence, with his children Eric and Lisa at his side, sharing bittersweet memories of his enduring spirit amid the challenges of his illness. While no public funeral details were widely reported, a dedicated online memorial site allowed family, friends, and community members to post tributes, expressing gratitude to caregivers like Claudia and Rovi at Touchmark for their compassionate support during his final days. The loss deeply affected his family, who reflected on the profound impact of his kindness and mentorship in their lives.^[3] Kramer received several honors recognizing his athletic achievements and contributions. He was inducted into the Kalamazoo College Athletic Hall of Fame on October 19, 2012, celebrated for his multi-sport prowess, including 11 varsity letters in football, basketball, and track, and school records in shot put and discus. In his hometown, he was honored as Portage Central High School's first professional athlete, a distinction that highlighted his trailblazing role from the Class of 1957. Although not inducted into the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame, his two All-Star selections underscored the foundation for these recognitions.^[7]^[17]^[5] Tributes on his memorial site from friends and former associates emphasized his legacy of generosity and guidance.^[3]