Leading up to the team's final matchup of the 2025 season against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, a bunch of the focus centered around it being the final game in the legendary career of longtime Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith.
However, as the contest got underway, it was clear that Smith wasn't the only longtime member of the Vikings likely playing in the final game of his pro career.
With his contract now set to expire when the new league year begins in March, Minnesota fullback C.J. Ham potentially took part in his final game with the franchise on Sunday.
Ham was emotional before the start of Sunday's contest, and like Smith near the end of the game, the longtime Vikings fullback got a proper sendoff from his teammates and the fans inside U.S. Bank Stadium. He also scored Minnesota's first and only touchdown of the day, which is a memory that he will never forget.
C.J. Ham's value to Minnesota Vikings went beyond his on-field production
As a fullback, Ham never put up any mind-blowing stats during his career with the Vikings, but that was to be expected with the position that he played. His single-season career-high for total yards is 166, and that was set all the way back in 2019.
So, for Ham to remain with Minnesota for 10 years, he obviously brought more to the table than just what appeared in the weekly box score.
During his time with the Vikings, he was a multiple-time team captain, an asset on special teams, a vital part of one of the league's best rushing attacks during his first few years, and a leader in the community with his off-the-field work in Minnesota.
A native of Duluth, Minnesota, few people get to live out a childhood dream of playing for their hometown team like Ham did. And not only did he get to suit up for the Vikings for 10 years, he also made an impact on the franchise that will last for even longer.