Plenty of people doubted Doug Kramer. He was undersized for an offensive lineman. Too short and too light. He ended up on the ground too much. There was not enough power in his game. Also, he played at the University of Illinois. Not exactly the hotbed of NFL talent it was in years past. None of that stopped the young center from playing hard and doing everything in his power to realize his dream of playing professional football. He never could’ve known that dream would come with a glorious twist.
On the third day of the NFL draft, Kramer was still waiting to see if he’d get the call from somebody, anybody. As the 6th round neared its conclusion, his phone rang. He didn’t know who to expect. San Francisco? Philadelphia? Atlanta? When he answered, the voice of Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles came through. They were prepared to make him their next pick. The reaction from Kramer and his family pretty much tells the story.
It is impossible to miss the emotion in his voice.
Doug Kramer grew up in Hinsdale, Illinois. He’s been a diehard Bears fan since he was a kid. During his first meeting with the media after being selected, he called it a “dream come true.” This is the sort of story that makes the draft such a great drama. Players that grew up loving a team suddenly get to go home and play for that team. It’s the sort of stuff they write movie scripts about. Now Kramer is living it.
There is no telling what the future holds. He was one of four offensive linemen the Bears added in the draft. So Kramer faces steep competition for a roster spot, let alone playing time. Even so, overcoming the odds is nothing new to him. Despite hearing the doubts, he carved out a successful career at a major college program. In fact, he wouldn’t be the first offensive lineman selected 207th overall to succeed in the NFL. Four others have already done so. Count him out at your own risk.
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