02-04-2026, 05:04 PM
One of the most unlikely team captains in Vikings history, fullback C.J. Ham, officially announced his retirement after 10 seasons.
Ham, a 32-year-old father of three, said this announcement would be coming after his tearful 141st and final regular-season game on Jan. 4 against the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“Emotions are high right now,” Ham said after the Vikings’ 16-3 win, in which he was the sole team captain at the pregame coin toss. “As we go into the next thing, the offseason, we’ll spend some time as a family and think, be present and we’ll make some official things official.”
Now it’s official. Ham’s agency, the Minneapolis-based Institute For Athletes, announced his retirement on social media on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Ham, a four-time team captain, was considered a consummate professional by coaches and peers throughout his meteoric rise from a walk-on NFL player, trying out during the Vikings’ 2016 rookie minicamp, to a two-time Pro Bowl attendee.
About 30 of Ham’s friends and family attended his final Vikings game in anticipation that it would be his last. He scored his team’s lone touchdown in the win for the sixth rushing score of his career. Beforehand, Ham sat down with the Minnesota Star Tribune to discuss his Vikings career, which included memorable bouts with ex-Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr during the team’s 2017 training camp and blocking for ex-Vikings running back Dalvin Cook’s four straight 1,100-yard seasons.
“Those years with Dalvin and Alex [Mattison] were extremely special,” Ham said Dec. 31. “We had something really special. ... One thing I tried to do my whole career was just see everybody. No matter who it is, no matter where you are on the totem pole. See people, know people.”
Ham’s 141 games with the Vikings are the third-most by an undrafted player on offense, trailing only receiver Adam Thielen (146), who also retired this offseason, and Hall of Fame center Mick Tingelhoff (240).
Ham, a Duluth native and former Augustana (S.D.) running back, built a reputation for taking care of his own backyard.
He often cited his roots as important, having grown up with the Duluth-area Boys & Girls Club, where he first connected with sports. His family’s efforts to donate their time and money in the community helped earn him two Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominations, including this year. He planned to be in Santa Clara, Calif., for the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 5, when the league’s Walter Payton award winner will be announced.
But back at home, Ham’s wife, Stephanie, has enjoyed her husband’s calendar getting cleared.
“Our house has never been cleaner,” Stephanie Ham wrote Feb. 3 in a social media video of C.J. Ham vacuuming. “Can’t have him back. Sorry guys. Need him.”
Ham is one of 15 Vikings players on expiring contracts that will become unrestricted free agents in March unless they’re re-signed.
STRIB
Ham, a 32-year-old father of three, said this announcement would be coming after his tearful 141st and final regular-season game on Jan. 4 against the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“Emotions are high right now,” Ham said after the Vikings’ 16-3 win, in which he was the sole team captain at the pregame coin toss. “As we go into the next thing, the offseason, we’ll spend some time as a family and think, be present and we’ll make some official things official.”
Now it’s official. Ham’s agency, the Minneapolis-based Institute For Athletes, announced his retirement on social media on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Ham, a four-time team captain, was considered a consummate professional by coaches and peers throughout his meteoric rise from a walk-on NFL player, trying out during the Vikings’ 2016 rookie minicamp, to a two-time Pro Bowl attendee.
About 30 of Ham’s friends and family attended his final Vikings game in anticipation that it would be his last. He scored his team’s lone touchdown in the win for the sixth rushing score of his career. Beforehand, Ham sat down with the Minnesota Star Tribune to discuss his Vikings career, which included memorable bouts with ex-Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr during the team’s 2017 training camp and blocking for ex-Vikings running back Dalvin Cook’s four straight 1,100-yard seasons.
“Those years with Dalvin and Alex [Mattison] were extremely special,” Ham said Dec. 31. “We had something really special. ... One thing I tried to do my whole career was just see everybody. No matter who it is, no matter where you are on the totem pole. See people, know people.”
Ham’s 141 games with the Vikings are the third-most by an undrafted player on offense, trailing only receiver Adam Thielen (146), who also retired this offseason, and Hall of Fame center Mick Tingelhoff (240).
Ham, a Duluth native and former Augustana (S.D.) running back, built a reputation for taking care of his own backyard.
He often cited his roots as important, having grown up with the Duluth-area Boys & Girls Club, where he first connected with sports. His family’s efforts to donate their time and money in the community helped earn him two Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominations, including this year. He planned to be in Santa Clara, Calif., for the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 5, when the league’s Walter Payton award winner will be announced.
But back at home, Ham’s wife, Stephanie, has enjoyed her husband’s calendar getting cleared.
“Our house has never been cleaner,” Stephanie Ham wrote Feb. 3 in a social media video of C.J. Ham vacuuming. “Can’t have him back. Sorry guys. Need him.”
Ham is one of 15 Vikings players on expiring contracts that will become unrestricted free agents in March unless they’re re-signed.
STRIB
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
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