Ex-wife says Erik Kramer suffered from depression—report

By Dan Cahill

Former Bears quarterback Erik Kramer was taken to a hospital on Tuesday after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound in an apparent suicide attempt, according to NBC News. Kramer, 50, was reportedly taken from a motel in Calabasas, Calif., with a wound authorities called “not life-threatening.”

Kramer’s ex-wife, Marshawn, told NBC News that he suffered from depression after his NFL playing days.

From NBC News:

He is a very amazing man, a beautiful soul, but he has suffered depression since he was with the Bears, Marshawn Kramer said in a telephone interview. I can promise you he is not the same man I married.

According to the report, Kramer’s sister, Kelley, said the injury is more serious than what authorities reported.

Marshawn told NBC News that they divorced in 2010 because of problems caused by his depression.

I know Erik and I would still be together if not for his football injury, Marshawn said. It was an amicable split, she said, and they live in the same California city, not far from each other.

Kramer’s 18-year-old son, Griffen, died from a heroin overdose in 2011. Kramer talked about his son’s troubles on “Inside the Bears” in 2014.

Kramer played 10 seasons in the NFL, including five with the Bears from 1994 to 1998. Kramer had his best season in 1995, passing for 3,838 yards and 29 touchdowns, both franchise records.

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