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C.J. Ham went from an undrafted college running back to a Pro Bowl fullback and team captain with the Minnesota Vikings. Through every step of that unlikely journey, his wife Stephanie Ham has been beside him — from their Augustana University days to their charity work in the Twin Cities today.
Who Is C.J. Ham?
Cortez Thaddeus Ham Jr. — known as C.J. Ham — is an American football fullback for the Minnesota Vikings. Undrafted in 2016, he earned a spot on the Vikings’ practice squad, made the active roster in 2017 after converting to fullback, and established himself as one of the NFL’s best blockers, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 — a rare honor for a fullback.
The Vikings rewarded him with contract extensions in 2020 and again in 2023, and he has become one of the longest-tenured players on the roster, valued for his blocking, special-teams play, and locker-room leadership, as covered in his career profile.
C.J. Ham Age, Early Life and Education
C.J. Ham was born on July 22, 1993, in Duluth, Minnesota — making him 33 years old as of 2026. He grew up in Duluth and played college football at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he was a running back before converting to fullback in the NFL.
C.J. Ham Information Table
| Full name | Cortez Thaddeus Ham Jr. |
|---|---|
| Age | 33 (born July 22, 1993) |
| Birthplace | Duluth, Minnesota, USA |
| Height / Weight | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) / 250 lb (113 kg) |
| College | Augustana University |
| Position | Fullback |
| Team | Minnesota Vikings (2016–present) |
| Wife | Stephanie Ham (college sweetheart) |
| Children | Three: Skylar, Stella, Cortez III (“Trippy”) |
| Honors | Pro Bowl (2019); Vikings team captain; Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee |
| Net worth | Estimated around $5 million (unverified) |
C.J. Ham’s Wife: Who Is Stephanie Ham?
C.J. Ham is married to Stephanie Ham, his college sweetheart. The couple met while attending Augustana University and have been together since their college days — long before Ham ever played a snap in the NFL.
Stephanie has a background in physical therapy and balanced her graduate studies with raising their family through the uncertainties of NFL life. Ham frequently credits her with managing their household and allowing him to focus on football, calling her the true MVP of their family.
In an interview with local journalist Howie Hanson, Stephanie described game-day life with three young kids as “a big blessing,” saying the family cherishes making memories together while C.J.’s career lasts. As a physical therapist, she jokes that she is “a fixer” — helping C.J. manage the wear and tear his body takes each season.
C.J. Ham and Stephanie Ham’s Children
The couple have three children: daughters Skylar (born around 2016) and Stella (born in November 2018), and a son, Cortez Ham III — nicknamed “Trippy” — born in February 2021. The family is deeply rooted in their Christian faith and regularly appears together at community events.
Pamper Her Purple: Honoring C.J.’s Late Mother
After C.J.’s mother, Tina, died of pancreatic cancer in 2021, he and Stephanie started Pamper Her Purple, an annual event devoted to women who have battled or are battling cancer. Held with the Vikings, the American Cancer Society, and Sleep Number, the event treats cancer survivors and fighters to a full day of spa services and a celebratory dinner — the fourth annual edition hosted 16 women at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel, as Vikings.com reported.
The Hams also launched the Ham Scholarship Fund near C.J.’s hometown of Duluth to support diverse students pursuing higher education, and they are heavily involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in the Twin Cities. Ham’s community work earned him the Vikings’ nomination for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
C.J. Ham’s NFL Career
Ham’s path to the NFL was anything but guaranteed. After going undrafted in 2016, he impressed Vikings coaches with his athleticism and special-teams ability, earning a practice-squad contract. By 2017 he had transitioned fully to fullback and made the active roster.
His versatility set him apart from traditional fullbacks: he blocks for star running backs, catches passes out of the backfield, protects the quarterback, and contributes on special teams. The Pro Bowl nod in 2019 cemented his reputation, and the Vikings’ back-to-back extensions made him one of the league’s highest-paid players at his position. A decade into his career, he is a team captain and one of the franchise’s most respected leaders.
C.J. Ham Net Worth
C.J. Ham’s net worth is estimated at around $5 million, though no verified financial statement confirms the figure. His wealth comes from his NFL contracts and extensions — including his 2020 and 2023 deals with Minnesota — along with endorsements. As with all athlete net-worth figures, this should be treated as an estimate.
Interesting Facts About C.J. Ham and Stephanie Ham
- He was born July 22, 1993, in Duluth, Minnesota.
- He met his wife Stephanie at Augustana University; they have been together since college.
- Stephanie is a physical therapist who balanced graduate school with raising three kids.
- They have three children: Skylar, Stella, and Cortez III (“Trippy”).
- He went undrafted in 2016 and made the Vikings roster from the practice squad.
- He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 — rare for a fullback.
- He and Stephanie founded the annual Pamper Her Purple event after his mother died of pancreatic cancer in 2021.
- The couple launched the Ham Scholarship Fund near Duluth.
- He was the Vikings’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
- He is deeply involved in his annual youth football camp in Sioux Falls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is C.J. Ham’s wife?
C.J. Ham is married to Stephanie Ham, a physical therapist he met while attending Augustana University. They have been together since their college days.
How many kids do C.J. and Stephanie Ham have?
They have three children: daughters Skylar and Stella, and a son, Cortez Ham III, nicknamed “Trippy.”
How old is C.J. Ham?
C.J. Ham was born on July 22, 1993, making him 33 years old as of 2026.
What team does C.J. Ham play for?
He has played fullback for the Minnesota Vikings since 2016, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2019.
What is Pamper Her Purple?
It is the annual charity event C.J. and Stephanie Ham founded in memory of C.J.’s late mother, Tina, honoring women battling or surviving cancer with a day of spa services and celebration.
