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| Green Bay Packer alumni Paul Hornung (L) and Ron Kramer at the Wisconsin State Fair. 8/7/2009 dwm photo |
Paul Hornung was in a simple booth with former teammate Ron Kramer signing autographs and selling Kramer's book, "That's Just Kramer!"
As you can see in the photo, there was no line and little fan-fare as Kramer talked on the phone and Hornung applied mustard to a bratwurst.
After the food vendor went on his way, I talked with the two men a few minutes while Paul Hornung asked me if I was going to buy Kramer's book.
Well, I really hadn't planned on it, but after several minutes going back and forth, I reached into my pocket and bought it. It's on my bookshelf still, inscribed by Green Bay's tight end who won NFL titles in 1961 and 62, Dave, You're the best! Ron Kramer 88
The abiding memory was getting to visit with two Packers from Lombardi's Glory Days as people rushed past without recognizing who they were missing.
All in all, it was a pretty inauspicious brush with fame, but unforgettable all the same.
Hornung was the Golden Boy for his exploits playing for Notre Dame and winning the Heisman Trophy in 1956, the only player ever to win from a losing team. He was a high scoring player for the Packers as a runner and kicker, and part of 4 NFL championships, including the first Super Bowl.
In addition to the Heisman; Hornung is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was the league's Most Valuable Player in 1961.
Ron Kramer, no relation to Jerry, the offensive lineman who played for Lombardi, was a star at the University of Michigan before getting drafted by the Packers. He missed the 1958 season to serve in the Air Force, but completed his Packer career in 1964 before playing two final seasons with his home state Lions.
While not the biggest name in the Packers universe, he was a two-time All-Pro; member of the NFL 50th Anniversary Team; and enshrined in the Packer Hall of Fame.
This was definitely a double brush with fame!
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