C. J. Ham

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = C. J. Ham

| image = CJ Ham 2020.png

| alt =

| caption = Ham with the Minnesota Vikings in 2020

| number = 30

| current_team = Minnesota Vikings

| position = Fullback

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|7|22}}

| birth_place = Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lb = 250

| high_school = Denfeld
(Duluth, Minnesota)

| college = Augustana (SD) (2012–2015)

| undraftedyear = 2016

| pastteams = * Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2016}}–present)

| status = Active

| highlights = * 2× Pro Bowl (2019, 2023)

Second-team All-NSIC (2015)

| statseason = 2024

| statweek =

| statlabel1 = Rushing yards

| statvalue1 = 114

| statlabel2 = Rushing average

| statvalue2 = 2.9

| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns

| statvalue3 = 4

| statlabel4 = Receptions

| statvalue4 = 82

| statlabel5 = Receiving yards

| statvalue5 = 670

| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns

| statvalue6 = 2

| statlabel7 = Total tackles

| statvalue7 = 45

| pfr = H/HamxC.00

}}

Cortez Thaddeus Ham Jr.{{Cite web |title=Profile |url=http://www.rostermon.com/player/6660/ |access-date=September 17, 2017 |website=rostermon.com}} (born July 22, 1993) is an American professional football fullback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Augustana Vikings and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vikings after the 2016 NFL draft.

Ham was a running back during his collegiate career and the rookie season of his professional career in 2016, but switched to fullback in the offseason of his second season during the 2017 offseason as a replacement for Zach Line, who had left the Vikings in free agency that offseason and has remained at the position since, although he has situationally played halfback/running back. As of the 2024 NFL season, Ham is a two-time Pro Bowl selection, being selected to the 2019 and 2023 Pro Bowls.

Early life

Ham graduated from Duluth Denfeld High School in 2011, where he starred in football and track and field.{{Cite web |last=Kraker |first=Dan |date=January 17, 2018 |title=Duluth native C.J. Ham took the long road to Vikings' backfield |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/01/17/duluth-native-cj-ham-took-long-road-to-vikings-backfield |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=MPR News}} In football, Ham played as a running back under head coaches Frank Huie and Chris Vold, and was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Hunters, logging 1,873 total yards and 24 touchdowns between his junior and senior seasons. On defense, he recorded 109 tackles. He was an all-conference and all-section selection and received an all-state honorable mention in recognition of his successful season.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

College career

Ham attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from 2011 to 2015, where he was a four-year letterwinner in both football and track & field.{{Cite web |title=C. J. Ham |url=http://www.goaugie.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3789 |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=Augustana University Athletics |language=en}} In his college football career with the Augustana Vikings, Ham rushed for 2,662 yards and 29 touchdowns, and also had 949 yards receiving and six touchdowns, including 39 catches for 431 yards and three touchdowns in his final season.{{Cite web |last=Vensel |first=Matt |date=May 9, 2017 |title=Vikings move C.J. Ham to fullback |url=http://www.startribune.com/vikings-move-c-j-ham-to-fullback/421785043/ |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=Star Tribune}} In track and field, Ham was a two-time All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) honoree in the shot put. He currently holds the school record in the indoor weight throw and the outdoor hammer throw.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

=Football=

As a redshirt freshman, in 2012, Ham appeared in nine games, making three starts at fullback. Ham finished the season with 404 rushing yards on 82 carries (4.9 yards-per-carry) with two scores and also caught seven passes for 40 yards. On October 13 against Upper Iowa, he rushed for a season-high 105 yards.{{Cite web |title=AUGUSTANA (SD) (3–4 , 3–4) -VS- UPPER IOWA (2–5 , 2–5) |url=http://www.goaugie.com/boxscore.aspx?id=1563&path=football |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=Augustana University Athletics |language=en}}

As a sophomore, in 2013, Ham switched to running back and played in all 11 games, rushing 106 times for 422 yards (3.7 yards-per-carry and 35.2 yards-per-game) and four rushing touchdowns. He rushed for a season-high two touchdowns and picked up 43 receiving yards against SMSU on November 16.{{Cite web |title=SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA (7–4 , 5–2) -VS- AUGUSTANA (SD) (4–7 , 2–5) |url=http://www.goaugie.com/boxscore.aspx?id=2049&path=football |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=Augustana University Athletics |language=en}} His season-high in rushing yards came against MSU Moorhead on September 7 and Wayne State on October 5, games in which he rushed for 66 yards.{{Cite web |title=MSU MOORHEAD (0–1 , 0–1) -VS- AUGUSTANA (SD) (1–0 , 1–0) |url=http://www.goaugie.com/boxscore.aspx?id=2039&path=football |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=Augustana University Athletics |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=WAYNE STATE (NEB.) (2–3 , 2–3) -VS- AUGUSTANA (SD) (2–3 , 2–3) |url=http://www.goaugie.com/boxscore.aspx?id=2043&path=football |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=Augustana University Athletics |language=en}}

As a junior, in 2014, Ham played for the second straight season in all 11 games, making six starts at running back. He rushed 148 times for a team-high 774 yards (5.2 yards-per-carry and 70.4 yards-per-game) and seven touchdowns, averaging 100.0 all-purpose yards per game. He recorded two 100-plus yard rushing games. He set a career-high in rushing yards in a game with 146 yards and two touchdowns at Minnesota Crookston on September 6.{{Cite web |title=AUGUSTANA (SD) (1–0 , 1–0) -VS- MINNESOTA CROOKSTON (0–1 , 0–1) |url=http://www.goaugie.com/boxscore.aspx?id=2459&path=football |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=Augustana University Athletics |language=en}} He rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns against UMary on September 27, 2014.{{Cite web |title=UNIVERSITY OF MARY (2–2 , 2–2) -VS- AUGUSTANA (SD) (3–1 , 3–1) |url=http://www.goaugie.com/boxscore.aspx?id=2462&path=football |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=Augustana University Athletics |language=en}}

As a senior, in 2015, Ham returned as a starter at running back and played in all 12 games. He rushed for a career-high 1,097 yards and 16 touchdowns and was selected to the All-NSIC second-team. In a game at Winona State on November 7, he recorded a career-high 30 carries while picking up 96 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=AUGUSTANA (SD) (8–2 , 8–2) -VS- WINONA STATE (5–5 , 5–5) |url=http://www.goaugie.com/boxscore.aspx?id=3023&path=football |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=Augustana University Athletics |language=en}} He helped lead Augustana to its first playoff appearance since 2010, finishing the regular season with 1,043 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. He entered the postseason with one rushing touchdown and 71 yards shy of Augustana's single season records after he became just the fourth back in program history to rush for 1,000-plus. He was voted by the NSIC football coaches as the 2015 NSIC Glen Galligan Award recipient. The award is given to a student or athlete who participates at his institution for four years and is academically superior while making a positive contribution to the institution.{{Cite web |title=CJ Ham named 2015 NSIC Football Glen Galligan Award Recipient |url=http://www.goaugie.com/news/2015/11/19/FB_1119150200.aspx?path=football |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=Augustana University |language=en}}

==Statistics==

rowspan=2\|Season ! colspan=5\|Rushing ! colspan=3\|Receiving
class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="10" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Augustana Vikings}}" \|{{center\|Augustana Vikings}}
Att	Yards	Avg	Yds/G	TD	Rec	Yards	TD
2012 \| 82	404	4.9	44.9	2	7	40	0
2013 \| 106	387	3.7	35.2	4	20	152	1
2014 \| 148	774	5.2	70.4	7	30	326	2
2015 \| 234	1,097	4.7	91.4	16	39	431	3
NCAA career totals ! 570	2,662	4.7	61.9	29	96	949	6

=Track and field=

During his freshman season, in 2012, Ham placed second with a season-best in the shot put ({{convert|51|ft|3|in}}) at the Wayne State Dual on February 18. He earned fifth place at the NSIC Championships in the weight throw ({{convert|50|ft|2+1/4|in}}) and shot put ({{convert|51|ft|1+3/4|in}}) on February 25. He notched an eighth-place finish at the NSIC Championships on May 11 in the discus throw ({{convert|145|ft|5|in}}).{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

As a sophomore, in 2013, Ham finished seventh in the weighted throw ({{convert|54|ft|5+1/2|in}}) at the Bison Open on February 9. He placed third in the shot put ({{convert|52|ft|3+3/4|in}}) at the NSIC Championships on February 22.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

As a junior, in 2014, Ham set the school record in the weight throw ({{convert|59|ft|0+1/4|in}}) on February 21, 2015, at the USD Twilight. At the NSIC Championships, he placed second in the shot put ({{convert|55|ft|1+1/2|in}}). Outdoors, he notched an eighth-place finish in the hammer throw ({{convert|160|ft|2|in}}) at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays on May 2, 2015.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

As a senior, in 2015, Ham won the weight throw event at the NSIC Indoor Championships with a throw of 18.34 meters, and placed second in the shot put with a career best throw of 16.90 meters (55'4"), earning NCAA Provisional marks in both events. He also won both the shot put (16.37 meters) and weighted throw (19.02 meter) at the NWU Open.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 5

| height in = 11 1/4

| weight = 231

| dash = 4.69

| ten split = 1.62

| twenty split = 2.64

| shuttle = 4.35

| cone drill = 7.40

| vertical = 37.0

| broad ft = 9

| broad in = 10

| bench = 22

| wonderlic =

| arm span = 31 1/4

| hand span = 9 1/8

| note = All values from South Dakota State Pro Day{{Cite web |title=CJ Ham #61 RB, Augustana |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1016541&DraftYear=2016 |access-date=August 16, 2016 |website=www.nfldraftscout.com |publisher=The Sports Xchange}}

}}

In 2016, Ham participated in the Minnesota Vikings rookie minicamp, competing on a trial basis. On May 10, 2016, following the Vikings rookie minicamp, Ham was signed as a free agent to the 90-man roster becoming the fifth player in Augustana history to sign with an NFL team.{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2016 |title=Vikings Sign Duluth Native C.J. Ham To Active Roster |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-sign-duluth-native-c-j-ham-to-active-roster-17134388 |access-date=September 17, 2017 |website=Vikings.com}} In his first preseason game, Ham led the team in rushing with 35 yards on 12 carries, including a 10-yard touchdown, and catching one pass for 9 yards, defeating the Bengals 17–16.{{Cite web |title=Watch Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals [08/12/2016] - NFL.com |url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016081254/2016/PRE1/vikings@bengals |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=www.nfl.com |language=en}} Ham led the Vikings in rushing yards in the preseason with 140 yards on 44 carries, including two touchdowns. On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Vikings as part of final roster cuts and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2016 |title=Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set 53-Man Roster |url=http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-Announce-Roster-Moves-Set-Roster/b567f012-ae55-4c9f-86c9-539cfb9231c6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028041835/http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-Announce-Roster-Moves-Set-Roster/b567f012-ae55-4c9f-86c9-539cfb9231c6 |archive-date=October 28, 2016 |access-date=September 17, 2017 |website=Vikings.com}}{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2016 |title=Vikings Sign 9 Players To Practice Squad |url=http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-Sign-9-Players-To-Practice-Squad/7edb63ee-d70e-4db8-9674-192e419f0ae1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410171602/http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-Sign-9-Players-To-Practice-Squad/7edb63ee-d70e-4db8-9674-192e419f0ae1 |archive-date=April 10, 2018 |access-date=September 17, 2017 |website=Vikings.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 23, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Craig |date=December 23, 2016 |title=Vikings Place Alexander on IR; Sign Ham to 53 |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-place-alexander-on-ir-sign-ham-to-53-18325029 |access-date=September 17, 2017 |website=Vikings.com}}

During the Vikings' 2017 rookie minicamp, Ham announced that he was switching positions from running back to fullback.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Eric |date=May 8, 2017 |title=C.J. Ham makes switch to full-time fullback |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/c-j-ham-makes-switch-to-full-time-fullback-18833543 |access-date=September 17, 2017 |website=Vikings.com |archive-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224134928/https://www.vikings.com/news/c-j-ham-makes-switch-to-full-time-fullback-18833543 |url-status=dead }} Ham replaced the departing Zach Line, who had signed with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent during the 2017 off-season, as the Vikings' fullback. He made the 53-man active roster and in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, scored his first NFL touchdown on his first NFL carry with a one-yard plunge from the goal line.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 17th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709170pit.htm |access-date=October 28, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} Overall, he finished the 2017 season with seven carries for 13 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to go along with seven receptions for 68 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=C.J. Ham 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HamxC.00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In the 2018 season, Ham appeared in 15 games and recorded 11 receptions for 85 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=C.J. Ham 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HamxC.00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=January 29, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In the 2019 season, Ham appeared in all 16 games and recorded 17 receptions for 149 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |title=C.J. Ham 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HamxC.00/gamelog/2019 |access-date=January 29, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On March 18, 2020, Ham signed a three-year, $12.25 million contract extension with the Vikings.{{Cite web |last=Ratke |first=Kyle |date=March 16, 2020 |title=Report: Vikings FB C.J. Ham agrees to 3-year extension |url=https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2020/03/16/report-vikings-fb-c-j-ham-agrees-to-3-year-extension/ |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=Vikings Wire |publisher=USA Today}} He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 19, 2020,{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |author-link=Charean Williams |date=2020-11-19 |title=Vikings place C.J. Ham on COVID-19 reserve list |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/vikings-place-c-j-ham-on-covid-19-reserve-list |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} and activated two days later.{{Cite web |date=November 21, 2020 |title=Vikings Activate FB C.J. Ham, Announce Roster Moves |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-activate-fb-c-j-ham-announce-roster-moves |access-date=December 26, 2020 |website=Vikings.com}} He appeared in 15 games and started 11 in the 2020 season. In addition to his role on the offense, he had a special teams role. He had one receiving touchdown on the season, which came in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.{{Cite web |title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings - December 6th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012060min.htm |access-date=September 30, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=C.J. Ham 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HamxC.00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=September 30, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Ham appeared in all 17 games and started eight in the 2021 season. He had seven carries for 34 yards and 17 receptions for 125 yards on the year. He continued his roles on offense and special teams.{{Cite web |title=C.J. Ham 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HamxC.00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=September 30, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Ham appeared in all 17 games and started four in the 2022 season. He had two rushing touchdowns on the season.{{Cite web |title=C.J. Ham 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HamxC.00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=September 30, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On March 24, 2023, Ham signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him under contract through the 2025 season.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Craig |date=March 24, 2023 |title=C.J. Ham Signs Contract Extension with Vikings |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/cj-ham-contract-extension-2023-fullback |access-date=September 30, 2023 |website=Vikings.com}} In the 2023 season, he appeared in all 17 games in an offensive and special teams role.{{Cite web |title=C.J. Ham 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HamxC.00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

On December 5, 2024, Ham was named the Vikings' nominee for the 2024-2025 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award.{{cite web | last=Young | first=Lindsey | title=‘Blessed to be a Blessing’: C.J. Ham Named Vikings 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Nominee | website=Vikings.com | date=2024-12-05 | url=https://www.vikings.com/news/longform/c-j-ham-walter-payton-man-of-the-year-nominee-2024 | access-date=2025-02-22}} He appeared in all 17 games in the 2024 season splitting time between the offense and special teams.{{Cite web |title=C.J. Ham 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HamxC.00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

Personal life

Ham was a physical education and health major at Augustana and plans on teaching and coaching football and track and field. Since his freshman season at Augustana, he volunteered as a peer educator and mentor in the Sioux Falls School District and volunteered weekly at the Boys and Girls Club.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

Ham is a Christian. As a leader and member of Augustana's Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Ham spent time as a student engagement volunteer at Embrace Church. He volunteered as a speaker in advocacy groups for children with disabilities. Ham had a speech disorder that had affected him his entire life, and spoke about how kids can be successful in life if they believe in themselves. Ham has served on numerous projects with Habitat for Humanity with the Augustana football program during his career.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

References

External links

[http://www.goaugie.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3789 Augustana Vikings bio]
[http://www.vikings.com/team/roster/cj-ham/d71b6469-e0c3-4804-980c-7eb0c7860260/ Minnesota Vikings bio]

Category:1993 births

Category:American football running backs

Category:American football fullbacks

Category:Minnesota Vikings players

Category:Living people

Category:Players of American football from Duluth, Minnesota

Category:Augustana (South Dakota) Vikings football players

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen

Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players

Category:American male shot putters

Category:Augustana (South Dakota) Vikings men's track and field athletes

Category:Track and field athletes from Minnesota

Category:Male weight throwers

Category:American male hammer throwers

Category:American male discus throwers