SIOUX FALLS — Scurrying from drill to drill at his annual youth football camp, C.J. Ham’s joy was as perceptible as ever on Saturday at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.
The 31-year-old native of Duluth, Minnesota, continues to live his dream as he enters his 10th year as a fullback in the Minnesota Vikings’ organization, and with each year that passes, Ham is reminded of how grateful he is to be taking part in this particular journey.
The former Augustana standout knows the value of his platform. Now, it’s bigger than it’s ever been, and he’s determined to make the most of it by passing it along to others.
On the field, Ham’s contributions have been modest for a position that’s becoming increasingly hard to find in the NFL. His biggest value for the Vikings has been on special teams, where he’s served as captain the last four seasons, and on offense, he’s primarily a lead blocker who occasionally receives touches.
But all of that pales in comparison to the legacy Ham is carving out away from the field.
Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham guides participants in between drills at the C.J. Ham Youth Football Camp on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
In December, Ham was one of 32 players from across the NFL who received the prestigious nomination for Walter Payton Man of the Year, a humanitarian award that honors a commitment to philanthropy and community impact.
Among the league’s players, it’s widely regarded as one of the most coveted accolades.
“I get to do a lot of these things I get to do just because someone did it for me,” Ham said. “When I was growing up, someone took the time to invest in me and give me opportunities to better myself.”
Since landing with the Vikings’ franchise a decade ago, Ham and his wife, Stephanie, have organized and participated in a number of community events in the Twin Cities area. They have focused heavily on the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and after C.J.’s mother died of pancreatic cancer in 2021, the couple started Pamper Her Purple, an annual event devoted to women who have battled or are currently battling cancer.
Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham exchanges high fives with participants before the start of a drill at the C.J. Ham Youth Football Camp on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
Those acts of service, along with Ham’s involvement with young athletes on the gridiron, are not new to Augustana coach Jerry Olszewski.
When Olszewski took over AU’s football program in December 2012, Ham was a rising sophomore with the Vikings and was already heavily involved in the Sioux Falls community through various avenues of outreach.
“He’s so highly respected, not only in the Vikings’ organization but in the entire NFL, as a man of character, community and service. But that’s been him since college,” Olszewski said. “He’s always been that guy — first hand up when it’s volunteer time. He truly is selfless, and I think the Vikings’ team recognizes that. Then you look at the greater Minneapolis community and how much him and his wife, Stephanie, do for the community. That’s where his passion lies.
“He realizes he has a platform, and he’s using it really, really well. He uses his faith in the same way.”
Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham celebrates scoring a touchdown with Jalen Nailor on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 against the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Britain
Paul Childs / Reuters
Two key mentors in Ham’s journey as a professional athlete are wide receiver Adam Thielen, who spent nine seasons with the Vikings, and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, a two-time Man of the Year nominee who has been with the franchise since 2022, but the foundation of Ham’s servant heart was instilled by his parents at a very young age.
Today, he still lives by the mantra, “Blessed to be a blessing,” and for him, it’s more than just a phrase.
“In some way, shape or form, every person out here has something that they can give to somebody else,” Ham said. “My parents were always the first ones to take in family members and help people in any certain way, so they just showed me at an early age that life is more than just about yourself.
“It’s about the community, and I believe in my faith. The kingdom is more than just about me. It’s about the community and impacting the kingdom in that way.”
In 2020, while the world was amid the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minneapolis became the epicenter of social justice turmoil following the murder of George Floyd.
As racially driven violence and unrest spread throughout the city, he and Stephanie became increasingly determined to create something lasting out of a volatile situation. That’s when they decided to establish the Ham Family Scholarship Fund — an endowed scholarship that supports students of color near Duluth, as well as Superior, Wisconsin.
Ham is now in his sixth year hosting the C.J. Ham Youth Football Camp, and in the wake of Floyd’s death, C.J. and Steph decided to devote all future camp profits to academic scholarships for Duluth students of color.
Three years ago, when Olszewski was first approached by Ham to begin hosting an extension of the camp at Augustana, the longtime coach was immediately eager to accommodate.
“It’s been a no-brainer since he first mentioned it,” Olszewski said. “Our staff and players come and volunteer, and other organizations in the community come and volunteer to help out, too. It’s been rolling for a while now.”
Augustana coach Jerry Olszewski walks participants through a drill at the C.J. Ham Youth Football Camp on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
Ham is also a part owner of Englebert Training Systems (ETS) Performance, a local training facility that has delivered unmatched results for a number of athletes worldwide.
At AU, Olszewski recognizes Ham as the ultimate ambassador for his program.
Last spring, Augustana had three players who were invited to take part in rookie minicamps in running back Jarod Epperson (Kansas City, Minnesota), defensive back Peyton Buckley (Washington) and defensive back JayVian Farr (Tampa Bay). It was Ham who reached out to each of those players individually to provide tips regarding what to expect and how to be best prepared for the moment.
“I love when both coaching staffs that he’s been under have told me how smart he is and how he picks up everything, and then he teaches others as well in the process,” Olszewski said about Ham. “I think that speaks to, No. 1, the quality of education he got here, and No. 2, it speaks to his willingness to dive in and get stuff done.
“It’s an amazing message to our players.”
Augustana’s C.J. Ham carries the ball while Minnesota State’s Nathan Hancock attempts to make a tackle on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls.
Contributed / Augustana Athletics
Ahead of the 2025 season, Ham has a hard time putting into words what it means to be nominated for Man of the Year. Humility consumes him to the point that he doesn’t even feel deserving. All he can do is continue to serve while shining a light on his faith as much as he can.
And throughout his journey, Ham recognizes the significance of the place where many of his professional endeavors were born.
“Duluth is my hometown, but Sioux Falls feels like my hometown, too,” Ham said. “This community has embraced me for over a decade, and every time I come back, they continue to show love. All I can do is show love to them.
“My family started here. I’m just grateful.”
Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham coordinates a drill at the C.J. Ham Youth Football Camp on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
Now a father of three, Ham’s perspective on life has certainly evolved over the years, but one thing that’s never changed is the endurance of his servant heart.
On Saturday, in between lobbing up footballs and handing out high fives to young athletes, Ham can do nothing besides smile from ear to ear.
A Duluth native playing for the pro team he grew up admiring, Ham is living his dream.
“It’s a story only God can write,” Ham said. “I could not write this story myself, and I’m just trying to honor him with everything I do.”