C.J. Ham
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
| Position | College | |
|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Augustana | 9 |
Excellence on the Field:
Ham has proven to be a Swiss Army knife for the Vikings offense and special team units. This season, he's battled injuries that have kept him sidelined for multiple games, but the two-time Pro Bowler and two-time season-long captain has continued to demonstrate leadership and connectedness in the locker room. When healthy, Ham helps block for RBs Aaron Jones, Sr., Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott and often is a key pass protector on third-down plays. He's a core special teamer, serving on the kickoff, kick return, punt and punt return phases.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year:
Whether in-season or during the offseason, Ham consistently demonstrates commitment to the community in which he lives, works and beyond. In July, he hosted the sixth C.J. Ham Youth Football Camp in his hometown of Duluth, Minnesota, where he hosted 400 children between the ages of 6 and 15 and encouraged them to "Be where your feet are. Control what you can control." The camp included 1-on-1 football instruction and focused on character development, leadership and sportsmanship. He also hosted a football camp in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with benefits going toward a future Sioux Falls scholarship recipient. Ham and his wife Steph this summer presented an academic scholarship from the Ham Family Scholarship Fund to Olivia; a Twin Cities student headed to Yale to pursue a degree in global affairs and international law and are currently working on creating a second scholarship at Ham's alma mater. Ham continued speaking to local youth tackle and flag football teams, served as a lunchroom volunteer at his daughters' school, supported professional running team Minnesota Distance Elite and hosted a Juneteenth fundraiser basketball game in his hometown of Duluth. This summer, Ham again participated in the Vikings Project Success trip, traveling to Washington, D.C., for a weekend of education and inspiration for Minneapolis High School students. Ham consistently volunteers his time to contribute to faith-based entities, including leading a small group of high schoolers at his church and investing in the next generation. In November, he was a featured panelist for an evening titled, "Playing the Game: Embodied Brilliance Beyond the Moral Limits of Race in Sport." In October 2025, Ham hosted his fifth Pamper Her Purple event in honor of his mother Tina, who passed away in 2021 after a fight with pancreatic cancer. The unique all-day event welcomes women who have defeated or are battling cancer for a full day of spa treatments and pampering. Ham also once again led the Vikings running backs group on a "reverse trick-or-treat" event at Children's Minnesota, where he and his teammates donned Halloween costumes and handed out candy, and smiles, to young children's hospital patients and their families.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past:
In addition to the efforts Ham has shown during the 2025 offseason and season, he has been an unwavering presence throughout Minnesota communities and beyond since first earning his opportunity with the Vikings as a 2016 tryout participant. Perhaps most prominently, Ham has been a longtime supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, having grown up "as a Boys & Girls Clubs kid" at his hometown Duluth location. He and Steph have annually "adopted" a family from a Twin Cities Boys & Girls Club for the holidays, hosting a holiday party and dinner at the Vikings team facility and fulfilling the family's wish list that includes everyday necessities, home goods and "fun" items, as well, totaling approximately $4,000 per family. As a 2020 Pro Bowl participant, Ham participated in a Boys & Girls Clubs event in Orlando, Florida. In 2023, he presented the Inspire Change "Changemaker" award to Southside Boys & Girls Club Director Mark Graves. Ham is a regular participant in the Vikings "Team Up to Give Back" annual give-back initiative. He has been a proponent of women's athletics and in 2023 spoke at a Vikings Girls Flag Football Clinic. Ham headed up Halloween events in 2023 and 2024 with Vikings running backs, and he has also participated in other events and room visits at Twin Cities children's hospitals. Ham participated in the 2021 Play Like a Pro event and 2021 Vikings Build Week with Habitat for Humanity, as well as the 2022 Tradehome Shoes Back-to-School event. Since his mother Tina's 14-month pancreatic cancer battle, Ham has served as an American Cancer Society (ACS) NFL Ambassador and stepped into prominent roles multiple times as an advocate. In 2024, Ham was named the American Cancer Society NFL Ambassador of the Year for his dedication to raising awareness for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Ham participates every year in the NFL's My Cause My Cleats campaign, wearing custom kicks to represent the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and raise funds and awareness.
Positive Character & a Lifestyle of Giving Back:
"Servanthood" truly seems to encapsulate Ham's character. For the past nine-plus seasons, Ham has committed himself to making Minnesota a better place. He's given back to youth, made life-changing donations to families, supported his teammates at their respective football camps (including traveling to Danville, Illinois, on Memorial Day Weekend) or various foundation events, and helped raise money and awareness around several causes, most prominently cancer. Ham is an advocate for multiple societal issues, including mental health and social justice. He was featured in the Vikings "Getting Open" mental health series and has readily supported marginalized people groups such as women, people of color and those with disabilities. Ham authentically cares for those around him and is an example of a genuine family man and father to his three young children. Those fortunate enough to interact with Ham come away better for it.
