Instant Replay: The Green Bay Diary of Jerry Kramer by Dick Schaap, Gerald L. Kramer

Jerry Kramer is a legendary figure in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He was an offensive guard for the Green Bay Packers from 1958 to 1968 and a major contributor to their remarkable five championships during those years, including the first two Super Bowls. He is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the NFL, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

Dick Schaap's book, "Instant Replay: The Green Bay Diary of Jerry Kramer," chronicles Kramer's life and career in Green Bay. Through his diary entries, Schaap paints an intriguing and honest portrayal of Kramer's eleven year tenure with the Packers. His diary reveals the details of how he prepared for and played professional football, the joys and struggles of living in a small town, and the emotional roller coaster his life became after leaving the team and starting a new career.

Kramer's life in Green Bay began in 1958 when he joined the team after being selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft. He instantly became an integral part of the team and was praised for his toughness and athleticism. During his time on the team, Kramer saw the Packers achieve extraordinary success. The team won the first two Super Bowls and five NFL championships in their span. Through it all, Kramer was a dominant player on both offense and defense.

Kramer's life in Green Bay extended beyond football. Despite the small size of the town, Kramer found plenty of reasons to enjoy living there. Carving out a life away from football was important to him and enabled him to find balance after the long and intense NFL seasons. His appreciation for Green Bay and its people is evident throughout his diary.

Although Kramer had a successful and rewarding career in Green Bay, his life there was not without struggles. He battled with the pressures of being a professional athlete and the guilt associated with many of his failures on the field. Furthermore, the unique relationship that the NFL had with its players during the 1960s allowed for little leverage in contract negotiations and limited rights for players, making it a difficult lifestyle to maintain.

The diary captures Kramer's emotional journey of life in the NFL. It details his efforts to establish himself as a leader and a role model and his struggles to find hope when all seemed lost. In the end, Kramer finds both peace and happiness in having created something more than just a successful football career; he finds his true purpose in life.

"Instant Replay: The Green Bay Diary of Jerry Kramer" is an insightful and inspiring look into the life of one of the greatest players in NFL history. For anyone who has ever been a fan of the NFL or the Green Bay Packers, this book is a must-read. It not only tells the story of a great football career, but of the struggles, joys, and lessons that Kramer found along the way.