Former NFL quarterback Erik Kramer shot himself Tuesday night in an alleged suicide attempt, but sustained non-life threatening injuries instead, officials said. Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies were called to a motel in Calabasas, Calif. at around 8 p.m. for a welfare check. When deputies arrived, they found Kramer with a gunshot wound, according to The Bleacher Report.
Kramer's former wife, Marshawn Kramer, told police on Wednesday night that it was a suicide attempt, and said Kramer suffered years of depression, which she believes was the result of his time in the NFL. Marshawn and Erik Kramer officially divorced in 2010 due to Erik's depression, she said. In 2011, the couple's 18-year-old son Griffen, a high school quarterback, died from a drug overdose, according to NBC News.
The couple has another son, 17-year-old Dillon. Marshawn Kramer said Erik Kramer is a wonderful father who adored his son. "He's such a good dad and he would not do this to his son," she said. "This is brain injury."
Marshawn Kramer said Erik Kramer's sister told her the injury is more serious than police sources claim, and could be life threatening.
Kramer played in the NFL from 1987 to 1999, posting a 31-36 record as a starter. His peak came in 1995 with the Bears when he threw for 29 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions while leading the team to a 9-7 record, according to Larry Brown Sports.
After Kramer retired from the sport he loved, the former Chicago Bear entered sports broadcasting. He worked as an NFL announcer for FOX and currently covers the Bears.
