By: Lindsey Young
C.J. Ham has always been wise beyond his years.
Just ask his best friend Rex Dopp, who's actually a year older than Ham but has looked up to him for years.
Ham and Dopp first met in the third grade, when C.J.'s mother Tina dropped her son off at school and asked two students if they could show him to his classroom.
"We actually ditched C.J. in the lunchroom," Dopp said, simultaneously laughing and wincing at the childhood memory. "Annnnd then we didn't really connect until seventh grade."
Despite the rocky beginning, the pair of young teenagers that year attended a house party, during which Dopp "made some mistakes" and was shamelessly reprimanded the next morning by Ham as they walked home together.
"We've been close ever since then," Dopp smiled.
Nearly two decades later, the two remain thicker than thieves, often referring to each other as cousins or brothers, admittedly confusing this Vikings writer.
Now married and with children, Ham is approaching the end of his ninth accrued NFL season. Dopp, also a father and affectionately called "God Dad" by the Hams' trio of littles, reflects and identifies C.J. as a source of stability throughout his life.
"He's still the only one…" Dopp' voice trails off for a moment, a hint of emotion cracking his usually upbeat demeanor. "No matter what, he's always been that constant."
It's why Dopp isn't surprised Ham has been selected as the Vikings 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee for a second straight season.
Neither is anyone you talk to who's known Ham for one year, five years or his whole life.
It's just always been who he is.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell annually asks the locker room to vote for that season's WPMOY Club Winner; he emphasized the significance of peer selection.
"For C.J. to be nominated two years in a row by his teammates says a lot about the impact he has in our locker room," 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."
Those teammates say giving back means even more to "Hammer" than football … and we all know how much football means to him.
Ham's passion for the game is pure, illustrated by his embracing of the sometimes-thankless fullback position.
Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill pointed to his teammate's blue-collar work ethic as one of the reasons he easily garners so much respect throughout the locker room and beyond.
"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," 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. "He sets a great example for young guys who might be a starter, but they see a guy who finds different ways to help the team no matter what. I think people can relate to that and appreciate that … and it's cool when people who do the dirty work are able to be recognized and appreciated."
Since O'Neill joined the Vikings as a second-round draft pick in 2018, he's observed the way Ham commits himself to making a difference both on and off the field.
Ham treats everyone the same — from undrafted rookie to starting quarterback to potential future Hall of Famer Harrison Smith — and in turn is viewed the same by teammates.
"If he had 53 C.J. Hams on the roster," O'Neill said with a chuckle, "We'd really be in a great spot."
Nonprofit directors across the Twin Cities likely would say something similar. And while Ham can't be everywhere all at once, he spends a great amount of time embedded in the community that's supported him throughout his journey.
He especially is committed to the Boys & Girls Clubs, having been a regular at his local Duluth location from age 5 to 18. Ham consistently connects with young people to encourage, inspire and just engage with them during after-school or athletic programs. He and Stephanie every year "adopt" a Boys & Girls Clubs Family facing hardship and generously fulfill their holiday wish list — and then some.
Michelle Dapper is a fellow Duluth native who grew up with Ham in their local club from elementary school age. Both were active members and actually competed for the "Youth of the Year" honor in their later years.
"The biggest thing that stands out is just how friendly, kind and funny C.J. was," Dapper said. "Everyone loved being around him, and he just had such a lovely spirit that made everyone laugh. He had a fun energy that drew others to him.
"Even at a young age, he demonstrated leadership and treated others with kindness and respect," she continued. "Many of the qualities people use to describe him today — like his humility, generosity and positive attitude — were present when he was a kid and teenager, too."
Dapper emphasized how special it is that Ham remembers his roots.
"As kids, we didn't always see many 'success stories' from people coming out of our community, and C.J. is definitely helping change that narrative," she said. "He is viewed as a 'celebrity' among the Duluth Boys & Girls Clubs and our high school, Duluth Denfeld. Even with all of his success … he is so genuine, and it has been amazing to see him accomplish so much."
Ham recently joined teammates in serving Thanksgiving dinner to families at the Southside Boys & Girls Club, during which he shared his connection to the organization and emphasized the familial connection.
Khadija, a mother who attended the dinner with her young children, has been inspired by Ham's story and his remembering where he came from. She sees a bit of herself in his journey, having also grown up from a young age with the Boys & Girls Club.
"I've always been here," Khadija said. "Everybody's welcome. I just love the diversity. And then as I grew older and had my own kids, they opened their doors wide for them, as well … it was beautiful.
"To hear what it's meant to C.J., it gives me so much motivation. It inspires me to be very optimistic, knowing that people can start small in a program and achieve great things," she continued. "The fact that he came back [to pour into Boys & Girls Club], it's so beautiful. That's something that I want to do; I want to achieve big goals, as well. I'm just so proud of him. He's inspiring me to do exactly what he's doing and to come back to my community and make it better."
Equally moved by and proud of Ham is DJ Goodknight, a fellow Duluth native who now spins tunes at Vikings community events throughout the year — including several Ham is involved with, from the Boys & Girls Clubs festivities to football camps for young people impacted by cancer.
Wearing a custom 218 Vikings jersey to represent Duluth's area code, DJ Goodknight watched Ham engaging with families and smiled from behind his music table.
"We all went to high school together, and C.J. was my brother's age. He'd be playing baseball and football and stuff in my grandma's yard," he recalled. "That's how I met him, so it's been so cool to see him grow up and do what he's doing now.
"It's not surprising at all that he's so involved in the community," Goodknight added. "He's always been that way, always been helpful. It's kind of come full circle."
Ask Ham about where that compassion comes from, and he'll point back to his parents, Tina and Cortez Sr., who often worked multiple jobs to support their family but still found time and resources to give back to others.
Ham continues to honor his mom, who passed away in 2021 after a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer, by living out one of her favorite sayings: "Blessed to be a blessing."
Whether encouraging young people, volunteering at his children's school, visiting the children's hospital, supporting teammates in their charitable endeavors or serving as an American Cancer Society Ambassador, Ham does so with Tina in mind. He especially does so each October when he and Steph host Pamper Her Purple, an all-day event honoring women and girls who have fought — or are currently fighting — cancer.
Cortez Sr. said Ham has "always had a thing about caring for people."
"That's a real gift God gave him," he said. "It makes me real proud. He's a good example. … He loves his family, number one, loves his wife, and he really … you can't really put it into words the impact he has on other people.
"He's impacted my life, too," Cortez Sr. added. "I'm enjoying his dream and blessed to be here and be a part of it."
C.J. and Steph make it a point to involve their children in give-back opportunities throughout the year, and the effect is evident even at their young ages.
"It makes me feel happy when Dad brings me with," said 9-year-old Skylar. "I think it's important to help people when they need it. And the more you help, other people will see that and want to do the same thing, and then more people in the world will be helped — and it will make them feel better.
"He supports me all the time," Skylar said. "He supported me at my gymnastics meet, telling me I was doing good and giving me advice. … He's also very funny, and he thinks he's a good singer. I guess I can call him a good singer."
"My dad is very, very nice," added 7-year-old Stella. "And he gives really good hugs."
Dopp sees firsthand the way Skylar, Stella and Trip are following in their parents' — and grandparents' — footsteps.
He continues to be deeply grateful for Cortez Sr. and Tina taking him into their home as a high schooler, when his parents got into legal trouble and left the city.
"I had nowhere to go, and his family was so quick to help. He just took me in," Dopp said. "He always has been. If I need clothes or something, he'll just give me some of his clothes. If I didn't have money and we went out to eat somewhere, he'd say, 'I have 10 dollars; you can have 5.' "
Ham often paid for Dopp' guest pass at the local YMCA so he could join their friends in playing basketball. And one year when Dopp needed a pair of basketball shoes, the Ham family came back from a trip to Chicago with a brand-new pair of Starburys. Dopp recalled another instance when the two were hanging out at a park, and a young woman asked for money to purchase a Subway sandwich; without hesitation, Ham obliged.
"He's always helping. And he's been a rock for me," Dopp said. "When I was going through my hard moments, and every time he talked to me, he's been that person for me my whole life.
"He's unknowingly saved my life a lot of times," Dopp added.
Ham's teammates may not have known him for the same length of time, but they daily see the same character and care. It's why for the past two years, his name has risen to the top in Vikings WPMOY voting.
"Because the things he does in the community, people can tell it comes from a genuine place. It's not for show. Not for credit," O'Neill said. "We know how much playing here means to him, and the things he does come from truly a place of appreciation for where he came from and wanting to help the community who helped him get to where he is now."
And though humility is Ham's M.O. and he doesn't much enjoy the attention, those around him will remind just how well-deserved the nomination is.
"I always tell him, 'I'm so proud of you,' " Dopp said with a smile. "Just watching him do what he's done … from us running 40s in the street to where he is, and he's never changed. He's always been blessing everybody, and I'm just super proud of him."
