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Jack Ham
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Jack Raphael Ham Jr. (born December 23, 1948) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1971 to 1982. He is considered one of the greatest outside linebackers in the history of the NFL.[1][2] Ham was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions. In mid-2019 the newsletter of the PSU Alumni Association rated Ham first among the 100 greatest athletes, considering all sports and all previous football players, in University history.[3][4]

Key Information

Early life

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Ham was born and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he attended Bishop McCort High School. He continued his education at Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Virginia for a post-graduate season.[5]

College career

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Ham played college football at Pennsylvania State University, where he also joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.[6] In his three years as a starting linebacker, the Nittany Lions had records of 11–0, 11–0, and 7–3. In his senior year of 1970, Ham was co-captain, recorded 91 tackles and four interceptions, and was an All-American. He had 251 career tackles, 143 of them unassisted. He blocked three punts in 1968, setting a school record that was not tied until 1989.[citation needed] He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.[1][7]

On December 11, 2014, the Big Ten Network included Ham on "The Mount Rushmore of Penn State Football", as chosen by online fan voting. Ham was joined in the honor by John Cappelletti, LaVar Arrington and Shane Conlan.

Professional career

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Ham's cleats on display in the Steelers Hall of Honor Museum.

Ham was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second-round (34th overall) of the 1971 NFL draft.[8] He won the starting left linebacker job as a rookie. He was first-team All-Pro six years and was named to eight straight Pro Bowls.[1] Ham was blessed with tremendous quickness — according to Steelers coach Chuck Noll and teammate Andy Russell he was the "fastest Steeler for the first ten yards, including wide receivers and running backs".[citation needed] He was one of the few outside linebackers who could play pass defense as well as the NFL's top safeties. Although he was a ferocious hitter, he was known as a player who could not be fooled and was seldom out of position.[2] Maxie Baughan, a former NFL linebacker said of Ham, "He was one of the more intelligent players to ever play that position. He was able to diagnose plays. You couldn't ever fool him."[citation needed]

Ham's career statistics include 25 sacks, 21 fumbles recovered, and 32 interceptions[1] (although the sack numbers are unofficial since the NFL did not begin recording sacks until Ham's final year in the league, so he officially has just three sacks).[9][10] As these numbers indicate, Ham had a flair for the big play, guided by some of the best football instincts ever found in a linebacker. Ham was a member of four Super Bowl winning teams during his 12-year career (although he did not play in Super Bowl XIV due to an ankle injury), all of it spent with the Steelers.[1][2] His 53 takeaways are the most in NFL history by a non-defensive back, while his 32 interceptions rank him 3rd all time among linebackers, behind Don Shinnick and Stan White.

"Dobre Shunka" (either Polish or Slovak for "good ham") was Ham's nickname while playing, as well as the name of Ham's fan club in the 1970s.[5]

After retirement

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After announcing his retirement as an active player on February 17, 1983,[11] Ham began a career as a radio personality. He served as a color commentator for national radio broadcasts of NFL games, and later hosted a show in Pittsburgh with Mark Madden on ESPN Radio 1250 during the NFL season. Ham is currently a sports analyst for Penn State Radio Network and also appears as an analyst on the Westwood One radio network.[5]

Ham is a minority owner of the North American Hockey League's Johnstown Tomahawks. On January 31, 2013, Ham was honored by the Tomahawks' organization with a bobblehead giveaway to the first 1,000 fans who entered the Cambria County War Memorial Arena for the Tomahawks' game against the Port Huron Fighting Falcons.[12]

In 2017, Ham became an advocate of medical marijuana, having studied the benefits of relieving symptoms related to playing football, and wants the NFL to soften their stance on the use of marijuana in general. Ham felt inspired after seeing the cognitive decline of contemporary Nick Buoniconti, as well as other current and former players including former teammate Mike Webster, despite Ham himself being healthy. Ham also believes medical marijuana would help counter the ongoing opioid epidemic affecting society as a whole.[13]

Honors

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Ham was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988[14] and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.[7] In 1999, he was ranked number 47 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jack Ham

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Jack Raphael Ham Jr. (born December 23, 1948) is an American former professional football player who played as an outside linebacker for the of the () from 1971 to 1982.
A standout defender known for his speed, intelligence, and big-play ability, Ham was a cornerstone of the Steelers' "" defense that dominated the .
He helped the team secure four championships (IX, X, XIII, and XIV), intercepted 32 passes, recovered 21 fumbles, and recorded 25 sacks during his career.
Ham earned eight consecutive selections from 1973 to 1980 and six first-team honors from 1974 to 1979, along with being named the Defensive Player of the Year in 1975 by Football News.
At Penn State University, he amassed 251 tackles and was recognized as an All-American in 1970 before being drafted by the Steelers in the second round of the .
Inducted into the in 1988 as part of its first class of modern-era linebackers, Ham is widely regarded as one of the greatest outside linebackers in history.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family background

Jack Raphael Ham Jr. was born on December 23, 1948, in , and raised in the same working-class industrial city known for its steel mills and history of flooding disasters. His mother, Caroline Ham (1918–2006), was remembered by caregivers as a gentle and family-oriented woman who prioritized her loved ones' well-being. Ham's parents placed significant emphasis on academic achievement, viewing a college degree—such as the one he later earned at Penn State—as a critical foundation, even amid his emerging football talent. The family's values reflected a practical mindset common in mid-20th-century mill towns, where his father supported the and instilled an appreciation for the sport, though remained paramount in their expectations for Ham's future. This upbringing in a modest, community-focused environment shaped Ham's grounded approach, contrasting with the glamour often associated with professional athletics.

High school career

Jack Ham attended Bishop McCort Catholic High School in , where he played football as a linebacker during the mid-1960s. Despite his talent emerging from Johnstown's competitive football tradition, Ham was viewed as undersized for college-level play, standing around 6 feet 1 inch and lacking the bulk typically sought by major programs. His high school performance highlighted a strong rather than dominant statistics, as no major college scholarships were offered upon his graduation with the class of 1966. Local accounts describe him as a dedicated "good worker" whose persistence impressed peers, though he received limited recruitment attention compared to more physically imposing prospects from the area. This oversight underscored the era's emphasis on size over agility and intelligence in evaluating linebackers, traits that later defined Ham's professional success.

College career

Penn State contributions

Jack Ham served as an outside linebacker for the from 1968 to 1970, emerging as a key defensive starter who bolstered the team's run defense and pass coverage during an era of dominant Nittany Lions squads. His speed and instincts at the position complemented a front seven that emphasized physicality and pursuit, helping to limit opponents' rushing attacks in games against strong independents and conference foes. As a and junior, Ham contributed to Penn State's undefeated campaigns of 11-0 in and 10-0 in , part of a 23-game that showcased the program's rise under coach . These seasons featured stingy defenses that held multiple opponents scoreless, with Ham's role in containing plays from the edges proving vital to maintaining field position and forcing turnovers. In 1970, Ham captained the team amid a transitional 8-3 season, providing leadership and consistent performance that steadied the defense despite offensive inconsistencies and injuries to other starters. Over his career, his efforts helped compile a 29-3 record, underscoring his foundational impact on a defense that set the tone for Penn State's national contention in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Statistical achievements and awards

During his senior season in 1970, Ham recorded 91 tackles, intercepted four passes, and blocked three punts—a school record that he shares—as team co-captain for Penn State. Over his college career, he amassed 251 tackles. These figures reflect the era's limited standardization of defensive statistics, with tackles not officially tracked league-wide until later. Ham earned consensus honors in 1970, recognizing his defensive prowess as an outside linebacker. His performance contributed to Penn State's undefeated regular season that year, though comprehensive interception or fumble recovery totals beyond his senior year remain sparsely documented in available records.

Professional career

Draft and early NFL years

Ham was selected by the in the second round (34th overall) of the following a standout college career at Penn State. At 6 feet 1 inch and 225 pounds, some scouts questioned his size for the professional level, but his speed, quickness, and instincts addressed those concerns. As a in 1971, Ham secured the starting role at left outside linebacker, appearing in 14 games with 13 starts and recording 2 interceptions. The Steelers finished 6–8 that season, but Ham's immediate impact helped solidify the linebacker corps alongside veterans like Andy Russell. In , Ham started all 14 games as improved to an 11–3 record, advancing to the before losing to the . He contributed defensively without recorded interceptions that year, focusing on run support and coverage in the emerging unit. Ham earned his first selection in 1973 after starting all 14 games, intercepting 1 pass, and helping the Steelers reach the again with a 10–4 mark. His early consistency—starting every game from 1972 onward—laid the foundation for the defensive dominance that defined Pittsburgh's 1970s dynasty.

Prime performance and Super Bowl successes

Ham's prime performance peaked during the mid-1970s as a of the ' defense, where his versatility as an outside linebacker—excelling in pass coverage, run pursuit, and blitzing—earned him six consecutive First-Team honors from 1974 to 1979 and Defensive Player of the Year recognition from Football News in 1975. That season, he amassed 88 tackles, three sacks, and one interception while anchoring a unit that led the in fewest points allowed. Over his career, Ham intercepted 32 passes and recovered 21 fumbles for 53 total takeaways, a record for linebackers that underscored his ball-hawking instincts and range. These individual exploits fueled the Steelers' dynasty, culminating in four Super Bowl triumphs: IX on January 12, 1975 (16-6 over Minnesota), X on January 18, 1976 (21-17 over Dallas), XIII on January 21, 1979 (35-31 over Dallas), and XIV on January 20, 1980 (31-19 over Los Angeles). In Super Bowl IX, Ham recorded five tackles and five assists, disrupting Viking plays in the defensive shutout of the second half. He started at left linebacker in Super Bowl X, contributing to a defense that limited Dallas to 17 points despite Roger Staubach's efforts. In Super Bowl XIII, Ham tallied seven tackles amid a high-scoring affair, helping Pittsburgh overcome a halftime deficit. Sidelined by an ankle injury for Super Bowl XIV, he still earned a ring as a roster member during the 1979 season's playoff run. His postseason interceptions, including a pivotal 19-yard return against Oakland in the 1974 AFC playoffs, exemplified the instincts that propelled the Steelers' repeated successes.

Career statistics and defensive role

Jack Ham served as the left outside linebacker in the Pittsburgh Steelers' 4-3 defensive scheme from 1971 to 1982, a position that demanded versatility in pass coverage, run pursuit, and blitzing. Unlike many linebackers of the era focused primarily on stopping the run, Ham excelled in zone coverage due to his 4.5-second speed, quick lateral movement, and pre-snap play recognition, allowing him to mirror receivers and tight ends effectively while maintaining run support. His tackling technique emphasized wrapping up ball carriers for secure stops rather than high-impact hits, minimizing missed tackles and aligning with the disciplined "" defensive philosophy under coordinator , where he often dropped into shallow zones or manned the flat to disrupt short passes. In 162 regular-season games (147 starts), Ham amassed 32 interceptions—tied for ninth all-time among linebackers and exceptional for an outside linebacker—returning them for 218 yards and one touchdown. He recovered 21 fumbles for 19 return yards and one touchdown, while unofficial records attribute 25.5 sacks to him, reflecting his occasional pass-rush contributions before official NFL sack tracking began in 1982. Ham also forced at least nine fumbles and deflected numerous passes, though comprehensive deflection stats were not systematically recorded during his career. His ball-hawking prowess peaked in 1975 with six interceptions and again in 1976 with five, underscoring his role in generating turnovers that fueled the Steelers' four Super Bowl victories.
StatisticCareer Total
Games Played162
Games Started147
32
Interception Yards218
Interception Touchdowns1
21
Fumble Recovery Yards19
Fumble Recovery Touchdowns1
Sacks (unofficial)25.5
These figures highlight Ham's hybrid skill set, blending safety-like coverage with linebacker physicality, which limited opponents' aerial attacks and complemented middle linebacker Jack Lambert's run-stopping focus.

Post-retirement activities

Business and professional pursuits

Following his retirement from the after the 1982 season, Ham entered the industry as a sales representative for a brokerage firm based in , where he sold to industrial clients including power plants, utilities, and steel companies. He continued in this role into at least the 2010s, leveraging his business acumen developed during his playing career when he maintained off-season employment to prepare for post-football life. As of 2023, Ham remained active in the business while residing in . In 2017, Ham partnered with AGRiMED Industries, a Pennsylvania-based firm granted one of 12 grower-processor licenses by the state Department of Health for medical marijuana production, aligning with his support for regulated use as an alternative to opioids for . This involvement reflected his interest in emerging industries addressing health issues prevalent among former athletes, though AGRiMED's specific operational outcomes post-partnership remain limited in public record.

Broadcasting and public engagement

Following his retirement from the NFL after the 1982 season, Ham entered broadcasting as a for Mutual Radio's national NFL game broadcasts, occasionally covering college games as well. In 1983, he became the color analyst for radio broadcasts on the Penn State Sports Network, partnering with play-by-play announcer Steve Jones. This collaboration has spanned over four decades, with Ham offering defensive analysis and game insights during live coverage, including into the 2024 season. Ham has also engaged in , delivering keynote addresses on topics such as football strategy, Hall of Fame experiences, and athletic achievement, often booked through speaker bureaus for events and corporate functions.

Honors and legacy

Major awards and recognitions

Jack Ham was inducted into the on January 30, 1988, and enshrined on July 30, 1988, recognizing his exceptional career as an outside linebacker who redefined the position through speed, coverage skills, and tackling efficiency. He also earned induction into the in 1990 for his standout performances at Penn State, where he recorded 251 career tackles, including 143 unassisted, and earned consensus honors as a senior in 1970 with 91 tackles and four interceptions. During his 12 seasons with the from 1971 to 1982, Ham secured eight consecutive selections from 1974 to 1981, highlighting his consistent dominance in pass defense and run support. He received first-team honors six times from 1974 to 1979, along with second-team selections in 1972, 1973, and 1980, and was named All-AFC seven times from 1973 to 1979. In 1975, he was awarded the Football News Defensive Player of the Year, reflecting his league-leading contributions with 32 interceptions and 21 fumble recoveries over his career—records for takeaways by a non-defensive back. Ham contributed to four Super Bowl victories with the Steelers (IX in 1975, X in 1976, XIII in 1979, and XIV in 1980), participating directly in the first three while being part of the roster for the fourth, cementing his role in the team's dynasty. Additional recognitions include selection to the NFL's All-Decade Team, the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, and the Steelers' 75th Anniversary Team, underscoring his enduring impact on professional football.

Influence on linebacker position and Steelers dynasty

Jack Ham redefined the outside linebacker position in the through his combination of exceptional speed, quickness, and football intelligence, establishing a versatile prototype that emphasized play diagnosis, pass coverage, and run support over brute force alone. Unlike many predecessors focused primarily on stopping the run, Ham's ability to intercept 32 passes—third-most all-time among linebackers—while also recording 25 sacks and 21 fumble recoveries demonstrated a dual-threat capability that influenced subsequent generations of edge defenders required to handle multifaceted roles in pass-oriented offenses. His "error-free" approach, as he described it, prioritized consistent positioning and anticipation, earning him the moniker of the "thinking man's linebacker" and setting a standard for cerebral, technique-driven play at the position. As a cornerstone of the ' "" defense from 1971 to 1982, Ham's reliability—starting 162 of 166 games and missing just four in his first decade—provided the structural integrity that underpinned the franchise's dynasty, culminating in four victories (IX, X, XIII, and XIV) within a six-year span from 1974 to 1979. Positioned at left outside linebacker alongside defensive tackles and end in coordinator Bud Carson's 4-3 scheme, Ham's instincts and tackling prowess neutralized opponents' ground games while generating turnovers, such as his 19-yard return in the 1974 that set up the game-winning touchdown against the . In against the , he contributed five tackles and five assists; in versus the same foe, he added seven tackles, three assists, and one pass defensed, helping limit explosive plays during Pittsburgh's championship runs. Though sidelined by injury for , his cumulative impact—53 total takeaways, the most by any non-defensive back in NFL history—fortified a unit that ranked among the league's stingiest, allowing the ' offense to thrive and securing the organization's first sustained dominance with six consecutive AFC appearances from 1974 to 1979.

References

  1. https://www.profootballhof.com/players/jack-ham/
  2. https://www.steelers.com/history/bios/ham_jack
  3. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HamxJa00.htm
  4. https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1864
  5. https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/ham__jack
  6. https://www.tribdem.com/news/local_news/steelers-great-jack-ham-s-mother-dies-at-88/article_3c2a7710-1648-5f12-8915-463a27de82fa.html
  7. https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2000/12/news-chat-transcript-with-jack-ham/
  8. https://www.facebook.com/steelersnationunite/videos/jack-ham-on-hall-of-honor-playing-for-the-steelers-more/2391922957764304/
  9. https://www.tribdem.com/sports/sports-connections-johnstowns-ham-a-good-worker-was-a-star-with-penn-state-steelers/article_ab2ffde2-7c44-11e6-a614-ffd74dee6898.html
  10. https://crusherathletics.org/sports/2014/3/2/GEN_0302142531.aspx
  11. https://www.classmates.com/blog/celebrity/jack-ham/
  12. https://athleteshub.wordpress.com/2019/12/06/a-look-back-on-jack-ham/
  13. https://victorybellrings.com/2017/05/29/penn-states-greatest-seasons-1968-1969/
  14. https://gopsusports.com/news/2008/08/31/official-sports-report-exclusive-psus-great-undefeated-teams-of-1968-1969-back-in-happy-valley
  15. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/jack-ham-linebacker-penn-state-unrecruited-nfl-pro-football-hall-of-fame-pittsburgh-steelers-nfl/1i95ip6df39by1pehrczii79kv
  16. https://onwardstate.com/2017/09/29/jack-ham-honors-penn-state-making-it-official-school-of-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame/
  17. https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2019/7/29/8932930/only-jack-ham-until-penn-state-nittany-lions-football-bsd-linebacker-u-lbu
  18. https://gopsusports.com/news/2010/09/16/hall-of-famer-jack-ham-selected-big-ten-icon-no-22
  19. https://gopsusports.com/news/2015/08/21/ham-named-to-fwaa-75th-anniversary-all-america-team
  20. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jack-ham-1.html
  21. https://www.espn.com/classic/s/ham_jack.html
  22. https://www.steelers.com/news/defense-always-got-it-done
  23. https://steelersdepot.com/2023/07/jack-hams-1975-season-named-best-in-team-history-by-olb-edging-out-t-j-watt/
  24. https://steelersnow.com/jack-lambert-and-jack-ham-greatest-linebackers-of-all-time/
  25. https://ccshof.org/member/jack-ham/
  26. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2652651/2021/08/01/nfl-top-100-no-52-jack-ham-the-quiet-steelers-lb-who-just-made-plays/
  27. https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2010/08/news-behind-the-bronze-jack-ham/
  28. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/ron-cook/2023/07/31/pittsburgh-steelers-pro-football-hall-of-fame-jack-ham-joe-green-mel-blount/stories/202307310009
  29. https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/jack-ham-medical-marijuana/
  30. https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/columnists/mike-argento/2017/10/11/jack-ham-penn-state-legend-who-almost-wasnt-legend/753676001/
  31. https://steelersdepot.com/2017/08/interview-jack-ham-explains-why-he-supports-medical-marijuana-nfl/
  32. https://www.statecollege.com/town-and-gown/the-voices-of-penn-state-football-for-20-years-steve-jones-and-jack-ham-have-been-bringing-every-play-of-every-game-to-life-on-the-radio/
  33. https://gopsusports.com/news/2024/09/21/behind-the-mic-with-steve-jones-and-jack-ham-9-21-24
  34. https://www.aaespeakers.com/keynote-speakers/jack-ham
  35. https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Jack%2BHam/447896
  36. https://footballfoundation.org/honors/hall-of-fame/jack-ham/1864
  37. https://www.steelers.com/news/ham-was-athletic-and-intelligent-17310758
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