The former Detroit Lions quarterback, Erik Kramer, has recently shared his story, revealing a significant event that served as a turning point in his life – an attempted suicide. This former National Football League (NFL) player, who is fondly remembered for leading the Lions to their last playoff victory in the early 1990s, embarked on an exceptional path of recovery following this distressing time in his life.
Kramer’s celebrated NFL career was followed by a string of tragic incidents that pushed him into an abyss of grief and depression. The death of his son due to a heroin overdose, following the loss of his parents, instigated a profound sense of sorrow and despair.
As Kramer’s life veered off its successful course post-retirement, the death of his young 18-year-old son, Griffen, in 2011, from a heroin overdose, was a major blow. The impact of his son’s struggle with drug addiction, the decisions made on that unfortunate night, and the subsequent loss, put a tremendous emotional toll on Kramer.
On 18th August 2015, Kramer checked into a hotel room in Calabasas, California, with a 9MM handgun he had acquired from a gun shop. The following day, he attempted to take his own life, which resulted in a severe brain injury, reducing his mental capabilities to a level comparable to a six-year-old.
Kramer’s struggle with depression serves as a stark reminder of how mental health issues can silently engulf a person’s life. His depression was akin to a fog that shrouded his existence, diminishing his zeal for life, and becoming a constant presence. The guilt and sorrow stemming from his inability to save his son from the clutches of addiction greatly contributed to his emotional affliction.
In 2023, updates on Kramer’s health reflect an inspiring turnaround from his near-death experience. The years following his suicide attempt were filled with rigorous rehabilitation to regain his cognitive abilities. His unwavering determination played a vital role in his healing journey. A mix of medical treatment and relentless willpower gradually helped him regain his mental strength.
Interestingly, Kramer developed a theory about the bullet’s trajectory through his brain during his suicide attempt. He believes that the traumatic injury somehow mitigated his depression, offering a surprising silver lining to this harrowing chapter of his life.
