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Longtime Viking Calls It Quits

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Oct 24, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham (30) prior to the game against the Washington Redskins at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

As expected, Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham is walking away from the NFL after 10 seasons of service. Ham joined Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2016 — and never left the franchise.

Ham’s value lived in the dirty work, and the Vikings now have to replace a role that rarely shows up in stat sheets.

The future of the fullback position is unknown for the Vikings, but the next guy, if there is one, will have big shoes to fill.

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Vikings Will Feel C.J. Ham’s Exit on Offense and Special Teams

The Week 18 going-away party was for real.

C.J. Ham warms up before a Vikings game at U.S. Bank Stadium. C.J. Ham retires Vikings.
Vikings fullback C.J. Ham goes through pregame warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium ahead of a matchup with Arizona, preparing on Dec 1, 2024, as Minnesota finalized personnel and situational plans, with Ham maintaining his usual routine while the offense settled into game-day rhythm during a late-season NFC contest. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Ham Retires

It’s a done deal for Ham. Duluth News Tribune staff wrote Tuesday, “Longtime Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham formally announced his NFL retirement through his agency, Team IFA, on Tuesday.”

“The 32-year-old Duluth native recently completed his 10th season in the NFL in 2025. Ham, who played running back at Division II Augustana from 2012 to 2015, broke into the NFL as a rookie minicamp invite by the Vikings in the spring of 2016, eventually earning a spot on the practice squad.”

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Ham was universally adored by fans from cover to cover in his career.

DNT added, “After transitioning to fullback, Ham made the active roster the following year in 2017, and has gone on to earn Pro Bowl nods in 2019 and 2023.”

“The former Duluth Denfeld star finished his NFL career with 681 receiving yards, 119 rushing yards, and eight total touchdowns — including a goal-line plunge in the Vikings’ season finale against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on Jan. 4, a game in which he and the team gave several indications it would be his last.”

The Career

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Ham showed up on the scene in 2016, near the start of the Mike Zimmer era, and within a year, he had earned a roster spot, taking over for fullback Zach Line, who had been with the franchise since 2013. After that, Ham would play in 141 games, starting 42, and accumulated 681 receiving yards, 119 rushing yards, and 8 total touchdowns in 10 seasons.

The Minnesota native also played a significant role on special teams, in addition to doing a fullback’s dirty work: blocking on rushing and passing downs.

Until this week, Ham was the second-longest tenured member of the Vikings, outlasted only by safety Harrison Smith, who joined the club in 2012, and, too, could retire in the next few weeks. Brian O’Neill now takes Ham’s spot as the second-longest tenured Viking.

Ham was voted a five-time captain of various Vikings squads.

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The Tributes

Fans, naturally, poured in tributes for the fullback. Sleeper‘s Jason Harmon tweeted, “Minnesota native, UDFA, rookie mini camp invite, moved from RB to FB, ten year career as a Viking, 2x Pro Bowler, community hero. Happy retirement CJ Ham.”

VikingzFanPage posted, “CJ Ham started his career as a rookie minicamp invite for the Vikings back in 2016. He ends it as a 2x Pro Bowler. The Duluth native defied all odds to have a great 10 year career in the NFL.”

Last of the Fullbacks’ on Ham: “Congrats to Division II Augustana & Minnesota Vikings Fullback C.J. Ham on a great career. It’s been a pleasure watching you carry the torch. Happy retirement CJ! 🫡 #LongLiveTheFullback.”

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Writer Matt Zimmer: “Sounds like CJ Ham has made his retirement official. Pretty amazing career. From D2 Augustana to NFL Pro-Bowler and Vikings captain. And a great dude on top of it.”

C.J. Ham runs the ball against the Chicago Bears.
Minnesota fullback C.J. Ham carries the ball during second-quarter action against Chicago at U.S. Bank Stadium, pushing through traffic on Dec 31, 2017, as the Vikings leaned on physical execution and field position to control tempo in a divisional matchup that closed out the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

And our Steve Hoikkala on Ham: “We all kind of expected CJ Ham to retire with what look to be his farewell in the final home game for the #Vikings, but definitely was one of the best fullbacks in the league for a long time. Sad to see him go. From Vikings fans, Thank you C.J. Ham. 🫶💜 #SKOL.”

A New FB or Nothing?

The next item of business at fullback? Well, nobody knows.

Including the Vikings, about 10 NFL teams use fullbacks on any given Sunday, and it’s unclear if Ham stuck around during the Kevin O’Connell era as a matter of lifetime achievement and utility. For example, O’Connell came from the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, and Sean McVay’s teams do not use fullbacks. On the other hand, Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, who runs a similar offense, does employ fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

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Vikings linemen celebrate a touchdown against the Packers.
Vikings guard Will Fries, tackle Brian O’Neill, and fullback C.J. Ham celebrate together following a second-quarter touchdown against Green Bay at U.S. Bank Stadium on Jan 4, 2026, marking a synchronized moment along the offensive front as Minnesota’s blocking cohesion translated into scoring success during a high-energy divisional showdown. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Generally speaking, fullbacks are reserved for run-first or run-happy offenses (at least the 2025 version of the definition). The Vikings, rather emphatically, do not love running the football, so we shall see if O’Connell finds a Ham replacement.

Thus far this offseason, folks have learned that Minnesota will venture into 2026 with a new general manager and no Ham for the first time in 10 years.


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Sports

Meet the stars behind the film and the roles they play

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Normal (2026) is an American action film written by Derek Kolstad, directed by Ben Wheatley and dramatizing a story originally by Kolstad and Bob Odenkirk. Normal (2026) had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in late September 2025 and its US theatrical release on April 17, 2026. Normal (2026) is a story about a small-town sheriff who discovers a bigger criminal network, which leads to a series of violent incidents.

The film setting is a peaceful town that suddenly gets out of control with Normal (2026) mixing action with a multi-layered story about corruption, crime, and survival.

The movie features Bob Odenkirk as Sheriff Ulysses, alongside Henry Winkler as Mayor Kibner and Lena Headey as Moira, supported by a cast including Reena Jolly, Ryan Allen, Billy MacLellan, Brendan Fletcher, Peter Shinkoda, and Jess McLeod.


Who stars in Normal (2026)?

1) Bob Odenkirk as Sheriff Ulysses

Bob Odenkirk - Source: GettyBob Odenkirk - Source: Getty
Bob Odenkirk – Source: Getty

Bob Odenkirk stars as the main character, Sheriff Ulysses, in Normal (2026). He is a well-known actor, writer, and producer who has won several awards, including Primetime Emmy Awards and has been nominated in most major categories several times. Odenkirk started his career as a writer for Saturday Night Live from 1987 to 1991.

He then moved on to work on The Ben Stiller Show, where he won an Emmy for writing. Besides, he was a writer for Late Night with Conan O’Brien and an actor in The Larry Sanders Show. Odenkirk became famous for his role as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul, for which he was nominated multiple times for the Emmy Awards.

Besides the TV-series, he has been a part of Fargo and was also recognized for a guest role in The Bear. In the movie industry, Odenkirk has featured in Nobody and its sequel, while also having supporting roles in Little Women and The Post.

Read More: Who was Nadia Farès married to? Children and all you need to know as French actress dies aged 57

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2) Henry Winkler as Mayor Kibner

Henry Winkler- Source: GettyHenry Winkler- Source: Getty
Henry Winkler- Source: Getty

Mayor Kibner is portrayed by Henry Winkler in Normal (2026). Winkler is a seasoned actor who has enjoyed a lengthy career in television and film, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards. In the early phase of his career, Winkler gained recognition for his role as Fonzie in Happy Days, which was on air from 1974 to 1984.

This acting effort catapulted him to become a well-known figure on television. As a result, he diversified into both the media of film and television. You can see him in projects like Scream, The Waterboy, and Click.

Recently, he has been active on the small screen with roles in Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, and Barry, the latter of which won him an Emmy Award. Besides acting, Winkler has also been a director, producer, and author. For example, he has written a children’s book series that is based on his own experiences.


3) Lena Headey as Moira

Lena Headey - Source: GettyLena Headey - Source: Getty
Lena Headey – Source: Getty

Lena Headey portrays Moira in Normal (2026). She is an English actress whose career has encompassed television and film, earning her international fame. Playing Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones is probably Headey’s best-known work, a character for which she received several Emmy nominations and garnered great critical praise.

Additionally, she starred as Queen Gorgo in 300, one of her many cinema appearances, and The Purge is another example. She enjoys a diversified filmography featuring a variety of action, drama, and fantasy titles.

The Brothers Grimm and Imagine Me & You are among her earlier films while quite recently, television productions include Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Not limiting herself to live performances only, Headey has lent her voice to animated series and video games.

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The movie was released in theatres on April 17, 2026.