DULUTH — For C.J. Ham, it’s the
that a trip home has involved teaching tips and techniques to potential future National Football League stars.
The Minnesota Vikings fullback and Denfeld graduate held his annual camp at Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field with children grades 1-9 participating. Besides Ham, volunteers assisted with the skills and drills, including Denfeld head coach Erik Lofald. More important to Ham than seeing highlight-worthy plays is just seeing smiles.
Declan Bergquist, 10, of Superior, prepares to clap hands with Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham, left, at Ham’s annual youth football camp at Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field in Duluth on Saturday.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
“This game has taught me so much in my life, and I think it’s the greatest game ever invented, I love it,” said Ham. “Just to come out here, have fun, enjoy being a kid and the competition. I think football does a really good job of showing us how to deal with adversity. Sometimes things go your way, sometimes things don’t. But the one thing you can control is your effort and your attitude, so just focusing on what you can control, that’s what leads to success.”
The goal of Ham’s camp, according to a news release, is to provide area kids one-on-one football instruction that focuses on character development, leadership and sportsmanship. Proceeds from the camp go to the Ham Family Scholarship Fund, presented by Essentia Health. The Scholarship Fund, founded in 2022, provides financial support for students of color in the Duluth area in pursuit of higher-level education. Each camp continues to grow the fund to increase the impact and support level for more local students.
Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham smiles while checking out the drills at his annual youth football camp at Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field in Duluth on Saturday.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
“I’ve been blessed to have a bigger platform, so I’m gonna do what I can to use my platform to shine that light and to bring positivity,” said Ham.
Grades 1-5 kicked off the camp, going from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by grades 6-9 taking the field from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Organizers said approximately 350 kids participated, among them Ham’s three kids as well as some other family members. Sprinkled amongst the few hundred were campers wearing Ham #30 jerseys.
Wearing a replica C.J. Ham jersey, Greyson Hendrix, 10, of Hinckley, knocks down a tackling dummy during a drill at Ham’s annual youth football camp at Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field in Duluth on Saturday.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
“It means the world to me,” said Ham. “I’ve said it over and over again in the years past, this community has done so much for me, so it’s the least that I can do. To come back and just pour into the same community because somebody, somebody once did it for me.”
From the fans in the stands to his teammates and coaches in the locker room, Ham has long been a popular member of the purple. In 2024, he was nominated for the
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
The award is the most prestigious honor bestowed by the league, annually recognizing one player’s impact on his community. Ham is quick to credit family for instilling his core values.
“I really go back to my parents obviously and how they raised me and my faith growing up, growing up with the faith that we have, my parents instilled in me at an early age. We are all blessed to be a blessing, you know, no matter who you are, no matter what you have going on, no matter the situation that you that you’re in, you have something to give to somebody else in a positive way.”
Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham shows off his passing skills while throwing the ball to a young boy during a drill at his annual youth football camp at Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field in Duluth on Saturday.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Last month, Ham returned home to help celebrate
Juneteenth and participate in the first Twin Ports Charity Basketball Game
at Denfeld High School, which raised more than $2,000 to support youth basketball.
Ham is preparing for his ninth season on the main roster with the Vikings and tenth with the organization, having spent most of 2016 on the practice squad. Known for his blocking ability, the two-time NFL Pro Bowl selection also has four career rushing touchdowns, two career receiving touchdowns and plays on the special teams unit.
Training Camp begins on Saturday, July 26 at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan and wraps up Thursday, Aug. 14. The Vikings went 14-3 during the regular season and made the playoffs as a wild card selection.
Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham listens while a young girl asks a question during Ham’s annual youth football camp at Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field in Duluth on Saturday.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
“I’m just excited, man. Every year is different. You never know exactly what every year is going to hold, right? But you go out there, put your best foot forward, control what you can control, and you know, obviously on paper we did a lot of the right things, so now we just got to go out there and prove it.”
The Vikings start their three-game preseason schedule on Saturday, Aug. 9 at home against Houston. They’ll kick off the regular season on Monday, Sept. 8 on the road against Chicago. The 2025 season will include back-to-back international games, as the Vikings will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland on Sunday Sept. 28 and Cleveland in London, England on Sunday, Oct. 5. When asked if his passport is ready, Ham said it’s been ready.
Wearing a replica C.J. Ham jersey, Greyson Hendrix, 10, of Hinckley, waits for drills to begin at Ham’s annual youth football camp at Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field in Duluth on Saturday.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
“This is my fourth and fifth time playing overseas,” said Ham. “It’s nice to go to a different place. It’ll be my fourth time in London, so going to Dublin will be pretty cool.”
Visit
to see the Vikings full schedule for the upcoming season.
Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham smiles while watching kids participate in drills at his annual youth football camp at Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field in Duluth on Saturday.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Duluth Denfeld head coach Erik Lofald points while giving instructions to kids participating in C.J. Ham’s annual youth football camp at Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field in Duluth on Saturday.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Wearing a replica C.J. Ham jersey, Greyson Hendrix, 10, of Hinckley, right, looks toward Ham at Ham’s annual youth football camp Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field in Duluth on Saturday.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham points will giving instructions to kids during his annual youth football camp at Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field in Duluth on Saturday.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Approximately 350 kids, between two sessions, participated in C.J. Ham’s annual youth football camp at Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field in Duluth on Saturday.
Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson joined the Duluth News Tribune in June 2021 where he’s involved in digital content such as video, photos and podcasts as well as covering breaking news. Previously, he worked in television broadcasting as a Sports Director/Anchor at WDIO-TV in Duluth, Sports Director/Anchor in Bismarck, N.D., News and Sports Anchor at KSAX-TV in Alexandria, and Reporter/Photographer/Editor with the syndicated show “Life to the Max” in Eden Prairie. He was also the Development Director for the Duluth Salvation Army. Williamson grew up in Alexandria, graduated from St. Cloud State University and has lived in Duluth since 2012.