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Ten years ago, those same eyes communicated the quiet confidence of a young running back hustling through drills.

Ham, a standout at Augustana University's D-II program, had been invited to participate in the University of Minnesota's Pro Day in hopes of catching the attention of a pro scout or coach.

Falcons Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, a Vikings assistant from 2006-19, vividly remembers that morning.

"I'm putting the Gophers running backs through some individual drills," Stefanski recently recalled, "and there's one kid who's just staring me right in the eyes, doing it exactly how it needs to be done, doing it with maximum effort. And I said, 'Who's that kid?' "

Stefanski told Vikings personnel to ensure Ham received an invite to rookie minicamp, where "you're always looking for guys that are going to know what to do and you can count on them."

Ham proved his readiness from the get-go. It wasn't just the awareness, though. He demonstrated an athleticism, power and natural ability that impressed Stefanski and other Vikings coaches.

Thinking back on it now, it still sometimes feels surreal he made it past that first weekend — let alone now retiring on his own terms a decade later.

"You don't play D-II ball to make it to the NFL," Ham quipped during a joint interview with fellow Minnesota native and retiree Adam Thielen. "I would say the NFL wasn't on my radar so much going through my college career. … It was those last two years where I maybe thought there might be a sniff of something.

"It's not like I had agents pounding on my door and tons of scouts calling my coaches," he added. "I was like, 'I'm giving it a shot. And whatever happens, happens. At least I know I can say I put my best foot forward.' "

Ham had been encouraged from a distance by Thielen's similar track from a small program to earning a roster spot as a tryout player. Then while at rookie minicamp, Ham again crossed paths with the receiver he'd played against in high school and college.

" 'What can I do? What are some of the things that I can look for, or how do I make this team?' Just looking at how you did things helped me tremendously," Ham told Thielen. "I remember specifically asking during the preseason game, 'Adam, do you still get nervous for games?' And you looked at me and said, 'No, not really. If I'm prepared, why do I need to be nervous?' That is something I have taken with me from Year 1 all the way through Year 10."

Ham first made it through rookie minicamp, then continued making a case for himself at training camp — ironically held at Thielen's college alma mater.

"You saw something there with C.J.," Stefanski said. "Because he was so dependable, great teammate, and then just physical, tough, strong, played strong. Everybody pulled up a chair to watch them after practice, to watch him stone defenders and just have perfect technique, hands like concrete."

All-in on fullback

Though Ham fell victim to preseason roster cuts, he earned a practice squad spot with Minnesota for the 2016 season.

The Vikings made a handful of new coaching hires following that season that included Kennedy Polamalu leading the running backs group while Stefanski transitioned to QBs. Polamalu, a former fullback and longtime coach at the collegiate and NFL levels, liked what he saw on Ham's tape.

Physical. Athletic. Smart.

"And so football intelligent, it's unbelievable," Polamalu said.

Time for a heart-to-heart conversation.

Polamalu told Ham if he kept playing running back, he'd likely "bounce around the league" for a bit. But if he allowed Polamalu to teach him the fullback position?

"I told him, 'I've been blessed to coach guys who played 10 years or more,' " Polamalu recounted. "He looked at me and said, '10 years?' 'Yep. But you've gotta promise me now, if I move you, you've gotta give me 10 years.' "

So, Ham decided to take the leap of faith … and to be frank, it wasn't smooth sailing early on in 2017.

Having played running back his entire football career, transitioning proved tough. He had all the traits, to be sure, but relearning everything he'd previously known took some time.

Ham quips now it "wasn't all peaches and rainbows."

"K.P. was extremely hard on me, the only fullback on the team, and we had times that weren't pretty," Ham acknowledged.

Running back Latavius Murray, who had signed with Minnesota that offseason, observed the struggle.

"K.P. really challenged him. He really challenged all of us, but I think Ham specifically. You know, I'll be honest — there were times when I just felt bad, because I could kind of see the frustration getting to him. But man, to see him really hit that switch and just dial into what K.P. was suggesting [was incredible]."

Ham realized Polamulu's tough love translated to trust in the young athlete.

"K.P. believed in me. It was something he saw in me. 'Hey, you can be good at this. If you stick to this technique, if you truly buy into doing this, you can be good at it,' " he recalled. "I thank him for that. It built character in me."

Ham was all-in. He bulked up, learned a new blocking technique, got the verbiage down and started hitting the Crowther sled prior to every practice — a routine that would last through his final season.

"He taught me everything I know about the fullback position at that time, and having five, six years together, we were able to build on that relationship," Ham continued. "That's somebody I owe it all to. I appreciate that man with my whole heart."

Offensive and defensive teammates alike saw effect of Ham at fullback.

Safety Anthony Harris, who signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2015, appreciated pregame warmups with Ham each week. The two would find each other and do two or three contract drills to really hype themselves up.

"That was kind of our ritual, the physicality," Harris said.

'Whatever you need'

Midway through the 2018 season, the Vikings acquired Ameer Abdullah via trade from the Lions, and the veteran running back wrestled at first with joining a team that already had a well-established RB group.

Abdullah remains grateful to Ham and Thielen for welcoming him wholeheartedly into a new locker room and encouraging him during a difficult time. He took note of Ham's approach to the game, from workouts and game prep to how he conducted himself in the meeting room and even outside the building.

One aspect of Ham's philosophy that particularly struck Abdullah was his whole-hearted commitment to special teams.

For the entirety of his career, Ham played four phases of special teams: kick coverage, kick return, punt coverage and punt return. From his first-ever play as a Viking, on which he made the opening kickoff tackle in Week 1 of the 2017 season, to his final play with a "C" on his chest — Minnesota's fourth-quarter kickoff following its final TD against Green Bay in Week 18 — Ham has given his all to whatever role is asked of him.

"I think a lot of people can appreciate that he doesn't have a glamorous job, but he's willing to do whatever job it is," Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill said. "There aren't many 32-year-olds that play all four special teams phases in the NFL. There aren't many people who, in Year 10 in the NFL, are willing to be on the punt protection team every single day of OTAs and training camp.

"That exemplifies his team-first attitude. Wherever he can possibly help, he's going to," O'Neill added.

Abdullah had never played special teams outside of being a returner; but watching Ham's blue-collar mindset helped him gain a new perspective and redefine a playing career that's still going.

Vikings outside linebacker Bo Richter also has admired the way Ham plays specials. Signed by Minnesota as an undrafted rookie in 2024, Richter knew he'd have to make his case in a role other than defense.

He looked to Ham as the standard.

"There aren't many guys who are a perfect example to watch, where you don't have to think about if they're doing something wrong," Richter said, "but I knew 'Hammer' was gonna do everything the right way, do it as it's coached here. … It doesn't get much better than him to [model] after."

Chargers Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Ficken spent 2007-21 on Minnesota's coaching staff, the last eight of those seasons helping oversee special teams. He spotlighted Ham's "physical presence" and instinct, as well as the football I.Q. he also demonstrated on offense.

Ficken emphasized Ham's ability to play multiple positions and willingness to always answer the bell.

"Just a sound football player. He was reliable, physical, did his job and did it at a high level," Ficken said. "He would listen to all the positions, listen to all the coaching points on the position, so that if something did come up, he was so smart that he could retain that and just be like, 'I'm good. I got it. I got you, whatever you need.' "

Even Ham would go on to earn Pro Bowl nods following the 2019 and 2023 seasons for his offense performance, he never was "too big" for special teams.

"If I move up to where I'm getting more reps on defense, I hope I'm the same way," Richter said. "There are guys who kind of put special teams on the back burner and just try to get by — and you can feel that when you're out on the field. You can tell if you're going against a guy who has a bigger role [on offense or defense] in the game and doesn't give full effort. Hammer was never like that."

Connection & community

As committed as he was on the field, Ham showed equal dedication off it — both in building relationships with his teammates and in giving back to the state he's always called home.

Minnesota's running backs room changed multiple times over the course of Ham's career — but his ability to connect with anyone and everyone never did.

In nine seasons on the Vikings 53-man roster, Ham teamed with 14 different running backs, from Murray, Abdullah and Dalvin Cook to Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler and most recently Aaron Jones, Sr., and Jordan Mason.

That year on the practice squad, however, proved to be foundational, providing up-close learning opportunities from Adrian Peterson, Matt Asiata, Jerick McKinnon and fullback Zach Line.

"So many people would [say], 'C.J., you're in the meeting room with Adrian Peterson. Like, you must learn so much from him.' And it was like, 'I did, but I can't do anything Adrian can do. Nothing at all. I just kind of watched in amazement.' But Matt was somebody who came in the hard way, who had to work his way up as well, had to find a niche and make sure he brought value to the team in different aspects. It wasn't always pretty.

"We were similar body types; I looked at him as somebody I could relate to on a physical standpoint. And also just how he carried himself, how he went about his business, how he practiced like it was a game, how he studied," Ham added. "He was somebody I looked at to a T, honestly — a lot of the things I saw him do on the practice field, in games, in taking pass protection super seriously, that was something I knew he prided himself in. I was like, 'Hey, maybe I can do that, too. Maybe that's how I can stay in this league, by doing everything with purpose and intent, and that's something that Matt Asiata did for me."

Ham has made an impact on all the above, plus plenty of other teammates and coaches, through his high character, easygoing personality, generosity, heart for others and especially his Christian faith.

Though never forced on anyone, teammates recognized Ham's beliefs as a truly authentic piece of his identity.

Zavier Scott, who's teamed with Ham the past two seasons, called Ham "a light" in his football journey and beyond, and Nwangwu fondly recalled the way Ham "never hesitated to invite guys to Bible study."

"And he just always showed up by checking in on our personal lives, on our families," Nwangwu added.

Mattison affectionately refers to his friend and former teammate as "Papa Ham" — "because you are the ultimate example for me of what it means to be a man of God, an outstanding father and an outstanding husband," he said in a video congratulating Ham on his retirement.

"Everything you've shown me … everything you've taught me, I live by today," Mattison told him.

Abdullah recognized the way Ham leaned on the Lord to guide his career journey, as well.

"C.J. is very rooted in his faith. He's a guy who's incredibly God-fearing," Abdullah said. "He puts his faith before everything, and he knew his story was written. I think he had an ordained understanding that the message from K.P. was truly a message from God that, 'This is your avenue. This is how you're going to affect change and create opportunity and access for your family for years to come.' And he grabbed that by the reins."

Ham credits his parents, especially his late mother Tina, for instilling Christian faith and values in him from a young age. He carried that wisdom throughout his NFL journey, often quoting Tina's mantra, "blessed to be a blessing."

Having grown up consistently attending the Boys & Girls Club in his hometown of Duluth, Ham holds the youth program close to his heart and has regularly given back to Boys & Girls Clubs in various capacities — including an annual holiday dinner and gifting party he hosts along with Steph and their children.

He's been active in cancer awareness and prevention efforts since the tragic passing of Tina in 2021 following a valiant fight with pancreatic cancer. Each year, he and Steph host a "Pamper Her Purple" event to recognize and honor women of all ages who have battled — or are currently battling — cancer. Ham is quick to volunteer for Community Tuesday events, and each summer he puts on free youth football clinics in Duluth and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Vikings have twice named Ham their Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year club winner.

"For C.J. to be nominated two years in a row by his teammates says a lot about the impact he has," Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said. "Every time we introduce our starting fullback at U.S. Bank Stadium, you can feel how much our fans love and appreciate him. My hope is that people fully understand the type of human being and leader he is — someone who is committed to serving others and brings his teammates along with him. C.J. Ham is truly one of one."

Moments to savor

As Ham steps into the next chapter after 10 years with the Vikings — "Sure enough, the son of a gun did it," quipped Polamalu — he's doing so with a peace-filled heart.

Tina's passing provided Ham with a fresh perspective on life, he noted — one of being present, intentional and grateful at every step.

"It's, 'I don't have to do this. I get to do this," Ham said. "Losing my mom was obviously really, really hard; but it gave me more appreciation for life, for this game, for my teammates.

"Being able to walk through your door at the end of the day is so much more of a blessing than you even realize," he added. "And when you have that perspective, I think you're able to enjoy life more."

A decade ago, Ham attended that Pro Day at the University of Minnesota. He's now walking away on his own terms with 141 regular-season games to his name. Eighty-four catches for 681 receiving yards and two TDs. Six rushing touchdowns, including on his first and final career carries as a Minnesota Viking.

"There were so many plays that people don't notice with C.J. — on special teams with blocking, and then everybody sees the running back come free and break for a big run on offense, but Hammer's in there, and the best part is, if you're on the field or on the sideline, you hear it," Thielen described, striking his fist against his palm. "And then all of a sudden you see someone pop out and have a long run."

In his first season, Ham helped Murray rush for 842 yards, his second-highest total in a 10-season career. He blocked for 1,000-yard rushers five different times (Cook 2019-2022 and Jones in 2024). The Vikings ranked in the top six teams in rushing yards per game three times during Ham's tenure.

"At that position, the best of them are selfless. You're literally putting your body on the line," Murray said. "C.J. definitely embodies selflessness and sacrifice, because it's not flashy. And in the times he did get rewarded, it was right back to the grind.

"C.J. was just a guy that gets to work, man," Murray added. "He just put his head down, and whatever you asked him to do, he was going to do it."

Plays that did put the ball in Ham's hands were special.

"He sacrificed a lot, and then to see a see him be awarded on different downs, whether it's a fullback trap, and we see him squeak through, stiff-arm a couple guys, maybe hit a spin move or do a different juke, we always would laugh and joke with him about, 'That running back ability is still there for him,' " Harris said. "It was just great to see that guy carve out a role, play as long as he has, and really continue to show up."

Truthfully, Ham knows he could keep playing — particularly after an encore season wrought with unforeseen injury hurdles.

"The last five games or so, we were rolling. I was playing a lot of ball, kind of like some vintage years back in there," he said, smiling. "It felt good. I was having a lot of fun. But I just felt like it was time. That's really it — it's more of a peace thing.

"I love this game. I love everything about it. But I'm good. I'm OK. And this year, experiencing injuries for the first time, missing six games, something I wasn't used to and didn't think I'd be able to handle … I think it was a way of God showing me that I will be OK without football. It's not who I am. It's what I do," Ham continued. "I'm yearning for the time with my family … [because that is] what's forever."

He's comfortable moving on to the next phase … but he'll forever treasure his time as a Minnesota Viking.

"I don't truly have the words to express it," he said. "This is a little more special than I even imagined. … [I'm so grateful] the Vikings did what they did for me and my family, to have those memories forever. It means the absolute world to me to be in the purple and gold, to finish in the purple and gold."