Vikings Honor Minnesota Native with NFL Man of the Year Nod

Each year, every NFL team nominates a player for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, and the Vikings picked a hometown fan favorite who does great stuff on and off the field.

The winner will be announced live at NFL Honors show on Thursday, February 8th, the award is given out for having what the NFL calls a "significant positive impact on his community."

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Giving Back to the Community

Duluth native, C.J. Ham is this year's nominee from the Minnesota Vikings, Ham’s commitment to his community is as strong as his on-field performance. He hosted the 2024 UNRL Celebrity Softball Game, raising funds for the Thielen Foundation and the Ham Family Scholarship Fund.

Ham also organized youth football camps in Duluth, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, offering football instruction and teaching leadership and sportsmanship to hundreds of kids. Proceeds from the camps support scholarships for students.

Ham and his wife, Steph, awarded scholarships to Twin Cities high school students of color through their scholarship fund. This initiative encourages BIPOC students to pursue higher education while addressing retention and graduation challenges.

Beyond athletics, Ham volunteers in various ways. He’s spoken on podcasts, participated in leadership discussions, and donated "grief bags" to help children cope with loss. He also volunteers at his daughters’ school and hosts events like the Crucial Catch football clinic for youth impacted by cancer.

Honoring Family and Personal Causes

Ham lost his mother to pancreatic cancer in 2021, and since then, he’s been deeply involved in related advocacy. He’s an ambassador for the American Cancer Society and hosts the annual Pamper Her Purple event, which supports women battling or recovering from cancer. This event provides a day of spa treatments and connection for the participants.

Ham also supports the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign, wearing custom shoes to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

A History of Giving

Since joining the Vikings in 2016, Ham has been a constant presence in Minnesota communities. He regularly works with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a cause close to his heart. Each holiday season, he and his family adopt a Twin Cities family in need, hosting them for a party and fulfilling their wish list.

He’s participated in events like Vikings Project Success trips to Washington, D.C., children’s hospital visits, and Vikings Girls’ Flag Football Clinics. His dedication to service is woven into every aspect of his life, making him a standout role model both on and off the field, and we are proud to say he's from Duluth.