C.J. Ham, the Duluth Denfeld alum and Viking legend, was up north once again for the fifth installment of his summer camp. Though the camp is football based, it’s the character development that Ham tries to teach.

“I was taught at a young age that you can do anything anything you want to work for,” said Ham. “That’s what my parents taught me and just working multiple jobs and making sure they can provide for a family and then they took that same approach and mentality to football, so it’s taught me so much in football but I think just in life, it’s about just working hard. If you have a goal, go out there and chase it, but it’s going to take work. It’s not going to be easy and that’s what makes it worth it.”

Ham also reflected on his personal career, as he eclipsed the 100 game mark as a Viking this past season.

“100 games as a Viking was pretty special to just think about that and how many players in my position. How I came in, was able to do that, it’s not many so I’ve just been extremely blessed by god and I’m just grateful.”

The camp leaves not only a long lasting impression on the youth athletes that participate, but to some that continue to come back too.

“Seeing C.J. for the first time and meeting him for the first time and then we got as good connection going. He’s just really kind, really nice, and really helpful sometimes,” shared James Ness, a high school Junior.

The C.J. Ham camp was also given a $2,000 check by Dick’s Sporting Goods, and all proceeds from camp will go to the Ham Family Scholarship presented by Essentia Health.