Jack Ham

Jack Raphael Ham, Jr. (born December 23, 1948 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh) is a former American Football linebacker who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is considered one of the greatest outside linebackers in the history of the NFL. He attended Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

He was the Pittsburgh Steelers second Round draft pick (34th overall) in the 1971 NFL Draft out of Penn State, where he was an All-American. He won the starting left linebacker job as a rookie. He was All-Pro seven years and was named to eight straight Pro Bowls.

Ham's career statistics include 25 sacks, 21 fumbles recovered, and 32 interceptions. 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 won 4 Super Bowl titles during his 12 year career, all of it spent with the Steelers.

Ham retired from professional football in 1982 and began a career as a radio personality. He is currently a sports analyst for Penn State Radio Network and hosts a radio show in Pittsburgh with Mark Madden during the NFL season. He also appears as an analyst on the Westwood One radio network, a natural progression for a player so in tune with the strategic aspect of football. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Ham and his family currently reside in the Pittsburgh suburbs.

Trivia

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 '70s.

External links

Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
The Pennsylvania Football News All-Century Team

Jack Ham

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Trivia

External links