The first practice of training camp was over and most of the Vikings players had retreated to the locker room, except for a few stragglers who wanted to get in more individual work.
Naturally, the fifth-oldest and second-longest-tenured player on the roster was among the last to leave, even though the indoor practice facility felt like a sauna.
C.J. Ham never takes anything for granted. The fullback figures he can always improve in some area, always know a little bit more than he did the previous day.
“Adam Thielen told me my rookie year, ‘Don’t ever let the reason you’re not on the field be because you don’t know what to do,’ ” Ham said after the field had emptied. “I always try to know what to do. Obviously, I can’t do anything Justin Jefferson can do, but if I get put in his position, I’m going to know what to do. It might not look the same, but I’m going to know what to do.”
C.J. Ham stuck around by making himself indispensable.
The long-shot success story continued Tuesday, when Ham reported for his 10th training camp, all with the Vikings. That alone was worthy of celebration, but something else made it special. Ham turned 32 on reporting day.
Happy birthday. Now get to work.