MINNEAPOLIS — An up-close shot of C.J. Ham on the stadium videoboards captured emotion — and deep gratitude — behind his facemask.

The Vikings fullback, who threw a kiss to the fans, received a standing ovation by the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd after taking a handoff from J.J. McCarthy and muscling his way into the Vikings Classic-painted end zone.

"I appreciate K.O. (Head Coach Kevin O'Connell) looking out for me," Ham said. "It was a blessing."

Ham's touchdown proved to be the 131^st Border Battle's lone touchdown in a game the Vikings went on to win 16-3. It also marked the eighth career touchdown (sixth rushing) for "The Hammer."

Following his score, Ham walked off the field and into a warm embrace by O'Connell, who has consistently spoken highly of the 32-year-old's leadership and locker room impact.

A couple of hours earlier, Ham had shared a similar embrace in the end zone with his son. Although, as with most 4-year-olds, Trip's "hug" appeared more like wrestling.

"Tackle him, Trip! Tackle Dad!" Shouted a laughing 9-year-old Skylar and 7-year-old Stella from the sideline.

Stephanie Ham had looked on during the pregame moment, her smile complemented by eyes that glistened. The bittersweetness hasn't been lost on Ham, who wrapped his family in his arms as tears slipped down his cheeks.

The CBS broadcast showed Steph, along with other family members and friends (the Ham support group included approximately 35 people), in the stands following the touchdown.

It's been 10 years since C.J. made his home-state team on a tryout basis. Nine seasons on Minnesota's active roster.

He soaked up his 141^st career game, which featured multiple tributes.

"I'm just extremely grateful," Ham said. "I'm sure I'll reflect even more in the time to come, but right now, I'm just taking it all in and enjoying this time, being with my teammates, my family.

"Emotions are high right now, and as we go into the offseason, we'll take some time as a family and just be present," he said. "We'll make some official things official in the offseason, but right now we're just taking it all in."

The same goes for Harrison Smith, who wrapped his 14^th NFL season by improving to 13-12-1 in 26 games played against Green Bay.

The Vikings introduced defensive starters ahead of the game, announcing Smith last.

The U.S. Bank Stadium crowd roared as cameras showed "The Hitman" standing in the tunnel, purple light filtering through fog that swirled around his No. 22 Vikings Classic jersey. As he eased into a smooth jog onto the field, the cheers reached a crescendo.

Smith greatly values Vikings fans and the love they've always shown him — though he joked it has been "a bit exponential the last couple years."

"It makes me feel a little old in some ways," he said, "but I appreciate it, for sure, because that means they respect how I play and how I operate."

Prior to kickoff, it was suggested to Smith that he and Ham serve as the only captains at the coin toss, as opposed to the typical four to six. Smith insisted, however, that Ham have a moment in the spotlight to himself.

The moment admittedly caught Ham slightly off guard.

"That was a surprise. I didn't know. Did somebody plan that? I have no idea," he laughed. "I was looking to my left and right, like, 'Where's everybody at?' "

But Smith wouldn't have it any other way.

"Being able to share a game like this with him is phenomenal," Smith said of Ham. "I'm glad he got the flowers he deserves. They were trying to send us both out to the coin toss, and I'm like, 'Man, let C.J. have it.'

"He needs more people to recognize how phenomenal he's been as a player and a leader," he added.

Smith said he and his defensive teammates anticipated Ham's touchdown when the offense lined up.

"We were calling it on the sidelines: 'Oh, this has to be the fullback dive,' " Smith recounted. "And you're not gonna stop Ham. You're not stopping him. Not today.

"He's an all-timer," Smith continued. "He's such a good dude, such a good teammate, player. He's done so much in his career that oftentimes can go without being celebrated, as far as the things he does — blocking, but he's a really talented player catching [the ball, too]. … He's still got it. To hang around at that position and play how he's played, and the special teams contributions, he's an all-timer."

The Vikings had a unique play ready for Smith, too, but the game's timing didn't work in their favor since Green Bay had the final possession and kicked its field goal as time expired.

"We had talked about maybe getting a victory kneel-down, so I took a snap with Michael Jurgens to see if he had it," Smith explained with a grin. "I wanted to get a 'Green 18!' cadence in."

Though he didn't get the kneel-down, Minnesota did use its second timeout with 3:32 left in the game "in honor of Harrison Smith," as referee John Hussey announced in-stadium.

Vikings teammates surrounded No. 22, showering him with love — and a few water bottle sprays — and energizing the crowd even more.

"We wanted to make sure it was a memorable final game if that ends up being the case for Harrison and C.J. — two players who, as a young head coach in this league, to have two players like that on the first team you get a chance to be the head coach of, they matter. They are tremendous human beings. They're great football players and ones this organization will celebrate for a lot longer than just today."

Among the 66,000-plus Smith supporters were his wife Madison and their two young children, Eleanor and Pierce, as well as Smith's parents, two brothers and sister. Plus, a proud contingency of former teammates in Anthony Barr, Andrew Sendejo, Xavier Rhodes, Anthony Harris, Jamarca Sanford and Mistral Raymond. The group was interviewed in-game by Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett.

"I had some tremendous vets and teammates as a young player that really helped me figure out how to be a pro and how to operate as a vet at a young age — and those are some of my best friends," Smith said. "I was probably, really, drafted to replace [Sanford]; that's just the nature of the business. And that didn't matter to him. That didn't matter to Mistral Raymond, Andrew Sendejo. Those are lifelong friends."

In the same way Smith and Ham have been grateful for older teammates who showed them the ropes, Justin Jefferson tipped his cap to Hammer and The Hitman for doing the same for him.

Jefferson described the afternoon honoring Smith and Ham as emotional.

"I definitely wanted to shed a tear," he said. "Just seeing the guys work as hard as they have, leading the way they've been leading. I mean, C.J.'s story is very powerful, impactful. So to have him as a teammate for these past six years, it's an honor. Honestly, there aren't too many people in this league that are like him and have the love and the hard-work attitude C.J. has. I'm honored to be his teammate.

"And for Harry, he's a baller," Jefferson added with a grin. "I still don't think this is his last year. I still think he's got more in the tank. What he's been doing for this organization, what he's been doing for this team, is going to go way farther than what people outside this room really know. I'm just honored to have played on the same team as them."

Near the end of the game, in-stadium cameras captured Smith and Ham sharing an embrace on the sideline — an emotional image of mutual respect and friendship.

"Harrison's a Hall of Famer," Ham said. "To have been his teammate for 10 seasons, that man is the ultimate pro and an unbelievable leader. I've looked up to him when it comes to leadership. You don't have to be a vocal leader. You lead by example … and when you do talk, people listen. And that's exactly who he is.

"I'm just so proud of him. I'm thankful to be his teammate," Ham said before adding with his signature smile, "And whatever's next for him, I'm sure he will still be Harry."