Former Chicago Bears quarterback Erik Kramer joined Chicago’s Morning Answer to reflect on the personal struggles that reshaped his life and the mission he’s now pursuing. Kramer, who spent 12 seasons in the NFL including four with the Bears, has faced heartbreaking losses and near-fatal challenges since leaving the field.
Kramer spoke candidly about the death of his son Griffin from an overdose in 2011, followed by the loss of both parents in the years after. Those events led to a spiral that culminated in a suicide attempt in 2015, which he survived but left him with a traumatic brain injury. He described the long road back, relearning basic functions like walking, speaking, and eating during a recovery process that lasted years.
Complicating that period was his entanglement with a woman who exploited his vulnerable state, leaving Kramer and his family to fight through legal and financial turmoil. That story is now at the center of a new podcast, The Quarterback and the Con Artist, which Kramer co-hosts with friend Anna Durgen. The series details how the ordeal unfolded and what lessons others can draw from it.
Today, Kramer is focused on advocacy and awareness. He founded the Mental Health Touchdown Foundation, which provides resources for individuals and families dealing with mental health struggles. The foundation is hosting a fundraiser on September 27 at the Imagine Theater in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Kramer hopes that by telling his story—through his foundation, his book The Ultimate Comeback, and his new podcast—he can help others recognize warning signs, seek support, and avoid the mistakes that left him vulnerable.