Two Sundays ago, the Minnesota Vikings honored two all-time greats. In a Week 18 divisional matchup, a gutsy 16-3 win over the Packers, CJ Ham and Harrison Smith likely played their last game in the NFL. C.J Ham has expressed his gratitude to the Vikings and to the sport. After nine years in the NFL with the Vikings, he has shared that it is time for him to spend his time with his family. Similarly to Ham, Smith has related how much football has meant to him as well as how much playing for and being a part of the Vikings organization has impacted his life. There have not yet been any solid confirmations from Smith as to his future but it seems likely he decides to step away from football. 

 

Undrafted out of a small Division II school (Augustana University), Ham was living his dream when he was signed by the Vikings. He grew up in Duluth, MN rooting for the Vikings and players like Cris Carter and Adrian Peterson. After a year on the practice squad, Ham changed position to fullback and became the player that we now know him to have been. Since then, he has played in 141 games and became a two time Pro Bowler, a four time team captain, and a two time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. CJ Ham was a fullback. That tells you pretty much everything you need to know about who he is as a player and a man. Fullback is perhaps the most unselfish position in all of football. Fullbacks rarely get the ball, more often they block for the running back to give them a chance to find an opening. Fullbacks are sent in to counter blitzes, oftentimes facing much larger defensive linemen and putting their bodies on the line so that their quarterback may have half a second longer to get rid of the ball. There is very little glory, very little recognition, and maybe as a result, the fullback is a dying position in the NFL.

 

C.J Ham is the perfect fullback. He is not looking for personal accolades or recognition (though they come anyway). He doesn’t care about stats. The words “get me the ball” never leave his mouth. What he does care about is winning. He cares about doing what is needed of him in the best way possible. He protects the quarterback. He blocks. And he is more than happy to do it. These qualities that Ham possesses on the field translate off of it in his leadership. Exhibiting hard work, humility, and dedication, Ham leads by example. In a modern world where people are so caught up in themselves, Ham’s example has been so important in keeping the players in the locker room grounded. Just as the position is a dying breed, players like Ham are too. His infectious selflessness changed the whole dynamic of the Minnesota Vikings’ locker room and helped to bring on a new culture of brotherhood within the organization. His legacy will carry on through the culture that he helped to create.

 

Harrison Smith is a more polarizing figure. Being drafted in the first round out of Notre Dame in 2012, Smith was always the number one guy. He had the big flashy plays; the sacks, the picks, the forced fumbles and return touchdowns. Throughout all of his time in Minnesota, Smith has been a superstar. What is so unique about Smith is that, based on his attitude and demeanor, you would have never guessed his superstar status. Each season Smith has had the same quiet way about him. On the outside he doesn’t let much show through but on the inside, he has a burning desire to be the best. That’s the greatness of Smith. No matter how much success he enjoys, he stays consistent. His work ethic remains the same. His attitude never changes. That burning need to be the best never fades. Similarly to C.J Ham, Smith leads by his own quiet example. Players in the locker room see the success that a “keep your head down and work” mentality can bring. In the reality of an NFL with huge contracts and massive amounts of media exposure, this example is so crucial to keeping players’ minds in the right space.

 

One thing that is synonymous with this mentality that Ham and Smith bring is pride. Humility, dedication, and integrity demand expecting the best out of yourself, no matter what else is going on. It doesn't matter how many injuries you have, your record, whether or not you are in the playoffs, or if people say that you have nothing left to play for. There is always something to play for. This is something that Harrison Smith and C.J Ham take to heart. When the Vikings were 4-8, out of the playoffs and with a struggling quarterback, it would have been easy, and understandable to most, to roll over and give up on the season. 

 

After ending the season 5-0, and with a winning 9-8 record, Harrison Smith addressed his team for possibly the last time. The captain kept it short. His last remarks were, “as long as you got air in your lungs and a heartbeat in your chest…never say die”

 

Players like these are rare. These players inspire hope in a team and instill a will to compete just for the name of pride. Players like C.J Ham and Harrison Smith are what football is all about and they will be missed.