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By Lindsey Young, Vikings.com
EAGAN, Minn. — C.J. Ham did a double take, then smiled, then burst out laughing.
"This is pretty cool," he said, shaking his head in surprise.
The Vikings fullback had just stepped into the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center Indoor Practice Facility and been met with the sight of 55 young people wearing purple Ham No. 30 jerseys.
A few of the youngest, such as 4-year-old Zion, wore jerseys with hems that nearly brushed the green turf. That didn't stop Zion from running through the space, though, grinning and asking anyone he saw to "please chase me."
"I've never seen so many Ham jerseys," C.J. chuckled, reaching over to give his wife Stephanie a hug.
The party, he'd planned on. The Vikings and the Ham family invited guests from two Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities to celebrate C.J.'s nomination for the 2024 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
But though C.J. hosted the special event, the Vikings had a few surprises of their own up their sleeves.
"I don't even know what to say. It was crazy," he said of the sea of 30s. "It was pretty funny, especially with all these little kids wearing jerseys about six sizes too big. But just an absolute blessing to walk in here and have all this set up. I'm humbled. I really am."
C.J. wasted no time joining in the festivities that included inflatable football obstacles, giant Jenga blocks, bean bag toss and more. He happily stopped to snap photos, sign autographs and chat with Boys & Girls Clubs staff members.
That included Southside Boys & Girls Club Director Mark Graves, a longtime friend of the Vikings organization and the Ham family.
"This is a special feeling," Graves said. "C.J. holds a very close space in my heart, just all of the things that he does with the kids in the community.
"Everybody that I've talked to from the Boys & Girls Clubs, people I know personally, all feel that C.J. is the guy that is the most deserving of this award," Graves added. "So, I'm so happy for him and so proud of him."
Equally proud are C.J.'s Vikings coaches and teammates, several of whom joined in the celebration – another unexpected moment for the fullback.
Joshua Metellus, Andrew DePaola, Harrison Smith, Aaron Jones, Sr., Cam Akers and Ty Chandler congratulated C.J. and joined in interacting with the Boys & Girls Club youth.
And then one — well, two — final surprises for the man of the hour.
C.J. received FaceTime calls from former teammates Adam Thielen, who is the Panthers Man of the Year nominee this year and the 2022 Vikings nominee, and Alexander Mattison, who signed with the Raiders this offseason and continues to impact the community however he can.
"Man, both of those guys are just staples in whatever community they're in," C.J. said. "So for them to take the time — I mean, Alex was actually giving away Christmas trees when he called me. He was wearing a Santa hat and everything. That just speaks to the person he is.
"Having my teammates, my coaches, here, it's been an emotional week, just to realize how much support we do have, and just the impact that God has allowed us to have with the people we've encountered," he added.
Partway through the evening, C.J. took a few moments to address the group of guests and thank them for allowing him and his family to spend so much time with them over nine NFL seasons.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell also took a turn at the mic and shared with the young people about C.J.'s tremendous impact on the organization.
"We have eight captains on our team, and the players get to vote for those captains, the guys that they think are the best leaders on our team," O'Connell said. "And one of those guys, you're all wearing his jersey, is one of my favorite players I've ever had the chance to be around.
"C.J. cares deep down in his heart for all other people, not just his teammates and not just his wonderful family," O'Connell added. "All of you guys, for sure, but also many, many other people around the Twin Cities, back where he's from in Duluth [and all over]."
The crowd of Ham jerseys erupted in applause after O'Connell's speech, but the energy went up yet another octave a few minutes later when, after all the surprises C.J. had gotten, he revealed he had something up his own sleeve.
C.J. and O'Connell together lifted a white sheet to reveal a table filled with gifts: video games, two PlayStation 5s, a ping-pong table, Pop-A-Shot game and a variety of smaller items, as well.
As the children celebrated the early Christmas gifts, C.J. took a step back and simply took in the scene with a smile.
"This is really incredible," he later said.
Perhaps one moment perfectly summed up the evening of excitement, surprises and emotions:
As C.J. strolled across the field to join a group of young ladies in showing off their dance moves, he was stopped by a high school student.
"They say you're not supposed to meet your heroes," the young man said, reaching out his hand to shake C.J.'s, "but you're pretty cool. Thanks for all you do."
The words noticeably touched C.J., whose eyes glistened when later asked about it.
"It's one of those things I don't even have words for," he said, once again shaking his head. "I feel like I don't deserve any of this. To be where I'm at is truly a blessing, and I really do give it all to God.
"It's humbling," C.J. added. "At the end of the day, I'm just trying to shine a light that's that that's brighter than myself. And it's stuff like this that shows me that I'm on the right path. I've got a long way to go, but I'm gonna keep doing my best."
Note: Story and photos published at Vikings.com and republished with permission.
