Cortez Thaddeus Ham Jr. Bio
Cortez Thaddeus Ham Jr. is an American professional football fullback who spent 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Minnesota Vikings from 2016 to 2025. Born in Duluth, Minnesota, Ham played college football at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Vikings in 2016. Originally a running back during his rookie season, he transitioned to fullback in 2017 and established himself as a reliable lead blocker and special teams contributor. Ham earned two Pro Bowl selections in 2019 and 2023, recognizing his consistent performance as one of the NFL’s top fullbacks during his career.
Early Life and Background
Cortez Thaddeus Ham Jr. was born on July 22, 1993, in Duluth, Minnesota, where he grew up and attended Denfeld High School. At Denfeld, Ham excelled in both football and track and field, demonstrating the athletic versatility that would define his future career. Under head coaches Frank Huie and Chris Vold, he played running back and was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Hunters. Ham accumulated 1,873 total yards and 24 touchdowns over his junior and senior seasons while also recording 109 tackles on defense. His outstanding high school career earned him all-conference, all-section, and all-state honorable mention recognition.
Path to Professional Football
After graduating from Duluth Denfeld High School in 2011, Ham continued his athletic career at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He became a four-year letterwinner in both football and track and field, showcasing his multi-sport athleticism at the collegiate level. During his senior season in 2015, Ham rushed for a career-high 1,097 yards and 16 touchdowns, earning Second-team All-NSIC honors. He led Augustana to its first playoff appearance since 2010 and was named the recipient of the NSIC Glen Galligan Award, which recognizes a student-athlete who excels academically while making positive contributions to their institution. His performance made him just the fourth back in Augustana history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season.
Cortez Thaddeus Ham Jr. Career
Minnesota Vikings (2016–2025)
Ham entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Minnesota Vikings on May 10, 2016, after participating in rookie minicamp on a trial basis. He became the fifth player in Augustana history to sign with an NFL team. In his first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Ham led the team in rushing with 35 yards on 12 carries, including a 10-yard touchdown, while also catching one pass for nine yards. He finished the 2016 preseason leading the Vikings in rushing yards with 140 yards on 44 carries and two touchdowns. After being released during final roster cuts on September 3, Ham was signed to the practice squad and later promoted to the active roster on December 23, 2016.
During the 2017 offseason, Ham made a pivotal career decision by switching positions from running back to fullback. He replaced Zach Line, who had departed via free agency to the New Orleans Saints, as the Vikings’ starting fullback. Ham made the 53-man active roster and scored his first NFL touchdown on his first career carry, a one-yard plunge against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. He finished the 2017 season with seven carries for 13 yards and a touchdown to go along with seven receptions for 68 yards. This position change marked the beginning of his transformation into one of the league’s most reliable fullbacks.
Pro Bowl Recognition and Peak Years (2018–2023)
Ham continued to develop as the Vikings’ primary fullback over the following seasons. In the 2018 season, he appeared in 15 games and recorded 11 receptions for 85 yards. His breakout year came in 2019 when he appeared in all 16 games and recorded 17 receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. The 2020 season saw Ham sign a three-year, $12.25 million contract extension with the Vikings on March 18. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in November but was activated two days later. Ham appeared in 15 games with 11 starts and added a receiving touchdown in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ham continued his steady production through the 2021 and 2022 seasons, appearing in all 34 games with 12 total starts while contributing on offense and special teams. On March 24, 2023, he signed a two-year contract extension keeping him with the Vikings through the 2025 season. The extension came as recognition of his consistent contributions as a lead blocker and reliable receiving option out of the backfield. In the 2023 season, Ham appeared in all 17 games in his offensive and special teams role, earning his second Pro Bowl selection of his career.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ham established himself as a versatile fullback known for his exceptional blocking ability, football intelligence, and reliability as a short-yardage runner and receiver. His transition from running back to fullback gave him unique understanding of both positions, making him an effective lead blocker for the Vikings’ rushing attack. Beyond his offensive contributions, Ham became a core special teams player throughout his career, consistently earning playing time through his willingness to do the unglamorous work that wins games.
Notable Events and Career Milestones
Ham’s career was marked by consistency and durability, appearing in all 17 games multiple times throughout his tenure. His first career NFL touchdown in Week 2 of the 2017 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers represented his official arrival as an NFL fullback. On December 5, 2024, Ham was named the Vikings’ nominee for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award, recognizing his community involvement and leadership. He retired following the 2025 season after 10 years with the organization, one of the longest tenures in Vikings history for a fullback.
Career Statistics
Ham compiled modest but efficient statistics throughout his NFL career, serving primarily as a blocking fullback while contributing as a runner and receiver when called upon. His career rushing totals include 119 yards on 42 carries with 6 touchdowns, while his receiving production featured 84 receptions for 681 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also contributed 54 special teams tackles over his career.
Career NFL Statistics Summary
Ham appeared in 153 games over 10 seasons with the Vikings, serving as a core special teams contributor and occasional offensive weapon. His best statistical season came in 2019 when he earned his first Pro Bowl selection with 17 receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown. His most prolific rushing season came in 2022 with two touchdowns on the ground. Throughout his career, Ham was valued more for his consistency and versatility than his raw statistics, serving as a key piece of the Vikings’ offensive and special teams units.
Personal Life
Ham graduated from Augustana University with a degree in physical education and health, with aspirations to teach and coach football and track and field. He has been open about living with a speech disorder throughout his life and has used his platform to speak to children about overcoming challenges and believing in themselves. Ham is a Christian and served as a member of Augustana’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes during his college years. Since his freshman season at Augustana, he has volunteered as a peer educator and mentor in the Sioux Falls School District and weekly at the Boys and Girls Club.
Ham has been actively involved in community service throughout his career, serving on numerous Habitat for Humanity projects with the Augustana football program. He volunteered as a speaker in advocacy groups for children with disabilities and spent time as a student engagement volunteer at Embrace Church in Sioux Falls. His commitment to community engagement and youth development earned him the Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination from the Vikings in 2024, recognizing the positive impact he has made both on and off the field.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the final chapter of Ham’s distinguished 10-year NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings. He began the season on injured reserve due to a knee injury, missing the first four games of the campaign. On October 4, 2025, Ham was activated from injured reserve and returned to the active roster. He appeared in all 17 games during the season, splitting time between offensive and special teams duties as he had throughout his career.
Ham’s 2025 campaign represented a diminished role compared to his peak years, as the Vikings utilized him primarily in short-yardage situations and on special teams coverage units. Despite the reduced offensive workload, his leadership and veteran presence remained valuable assets in the Vikings locker room. On February 5, 2026, Ham officially announced his retirement from the NFL following a decade with the organization, concluding his career as one of the longest-tenured fullbacks in Vikings history and a two-time Pro Bowl selection.