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Silencing The Doubters
Casey Cramer has been told he couldn't do it. Now, the senior captain is showing a world full of doubters that he can... |
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 He
worked hard, sat on the sidelines and even helped his Dad as a ball
boy and videographer, patiently waiting for the day when he would
suit up and step onto the field as a player. In the meantime, he
played baseball, swam on the summer swim team, played soccer,
basketball, and tennis all in preparation for his moment.
Dartmouth senior tight end Casey Cramer finally had his turn when he
reached junior high.
"My dad wouldn't let me play football until seventh grade," he said.
"He was a high school coach and said he didn't want me to lose the
love of the game at a young age and not play in high school. I'd like
to think that for this reason I became really gripped to the
game."
In place of pigskin, the Middleton, Wis. native grabbed a pair of
tights and hit the dance floor. He took ballet for a year as a youngster after
hearing that some of his favorite NFL players had taken up the art
form to improve their game.
"I don't tell many people this, but as a kid I took ballet," Cramer
admitted. "I was told about how Don Majkowski of the Green Bay Packers
took some lessons and other guys like Lynn Swan in the NFL did it to
help their coordination and flexibility so I thought I'd give it a
go."
Well, did it pay off? You be the judge. The potential All-America
candidate earned eight varsity letters in football, basketball and
track at Middleton High and captained all three teams. He collected
several All-Conference and All-Area honors in both football and
basketball, and as a member of the Big Green Squad, has amassed 1,782
career yards receiving (fourth in school history) and 15
touchdowns.
The two-time All-Ivy first teamer was also named first team AFCA and
Sports Network All-America and was picked second team All-America by
the Associated Press. The fourth player to record 1,000 yards for
Dartmouth in a single season, he was recently selected to the Sports
Network's preseason 1-AA first team. And he still takes yoga lessons
three times a week.
 Before
deciding to attend Dartmouth, Cramer shopped himself around to
Division I colleges and was told a resounding "No" across the
board.
"So many college coaches told me when I was recruited in high school
that I wasn't tall enough, was too skinny, or was not athletic enough
to play college football," he said. "That lit a fire under me, and
until I am done playing college ball I will continue to try to prove
them wrong and that they made a big mistake. I hate being told I
can't do something."
Thriving off of negative response, Cramer hates to lose at anything.
He must have gotten that competitive streak from watching his mom
Nancy win her battle with breast cancer.
"I really had no idea at the time how significant her defeat of
cancer was until I got older." He was only 10 years old when she was
diagnosed.
In retrospect, Cramer said he did gather strength from his mother's
tribulation.
"I totally agree that I get some strength from her," he said. "I've
learned a lot from her. I do know that after she recovered, if she
wanted something, she went out and took it. It made us realize that
life was precious and if you want something, go out and get it."
Mrs. Cramer went on to earn a master's and PhD in psychology, which
also happens to be Casey's major.
As he embarks on his senior season as team captain, Cramer is on a
mission -- not one of breaking records and cementing his place in
Dartmouth football history -- he's already done that. He wants to
bring Big Green football back to its days of League dominance.
"Our goal has been to completely change the attitude of our team --
to create a positive attitude, a cut throat mentality."
For all the coaches and recruiters who said he was too skinny or not
athletic enough, for his mom who persevered, his dad who coached and
supported him, and his teammates he will march into battle with; this
final season's for you.
-- LaKesha Whitaker
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