Two Vikings standouts called it a career Thursday. Adam Thielen and C.J. Ham, Minnesota natives, retire together after remarkably similar journeys.
Two of the best Minnesota Vikings in recent history officially retired on Thursday. Wide receiver Adam Thielen and fullback C.J. Ham held a press conference with the media, thanking members of the organization, coaches, teammates, and family for their support throughout their journeys.
Both players shared remarkably similar paths to the NFL. Minnesota natives who faced each other in high school and college, Thielen and Ham each entered the league as undrafted free agents before becoming starters, leaders, and eventually retiring on the same day.
Thielen, who grew up a fan of the team, was signed to the team's practice squad as a rookie in 2013. For him, it was a no-brainer to retire as a Viking despite finishing the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"This place means so much to me," Thielen said when asked why he chose to retire in Minnesota. "As C.J. mentioned, the Wilfs, this organization, is first-class.
"There's just nothing really like it. And I'm very thankful to be a part of it for a long time. And also the fact that I grew up a Vikings fan, dreamed [of playing] for this team. I always wanted to be like Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Jake Reed, and those guys. And so to be able to retire in my hometown team is such a blessing. And [I'm] so thankful for that."
Thielen said his wife, Caitlin, told him he should maybe get a "real job" after the receiver told her about his rookie mini-camp journey.
"I did get a real job," Thielen laughed, "just a little different than we thought."
Ham started his speech by saying two "dad jokes" before telling fans they were as much of a motivation for him as anyone.
"To Vikings Nation, the fans. Thank you for the best experiences over this past decade. There's nothing like game day at The Bank. Adam knows that, [Kevin O'Connell] knows that, and nothing like it.
"From the beginning, I felt all the love. Just a fellow Minnesota kid living his dream =of wearing purple and gold someday. I know that resonated with many Minnesota fans.
"So I felt, as I was doing it for me and my family, I was also doing it for you."
The speeches came from the heart for two players who became synonymous not only with the Vikings but also with Minnesota. Their impact wasn’t just emotional—it showed up on the field as well.
Thielen was with the team from 2013 to 2022, then played 11 games this year after being acquired in a trade right before the regular season.
In Minnesota, Thielen caught 542 passes for 6,751 yards and 55 touchdowns. He was a Pro Bowl selection following the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Ham was an undrafted free agent in 2016 before becoming a starter in 2017. The fullback would play his entire 10-year career in Minnesota. He, too, was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and caught 84 passes for 681 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, he added 42 runs for 119 yards and six touchdowns, including a score in his final game.
But fittingly, they chose to walk away together as two Minnesota kids who didn’t just make the Vikings, but became part of the franchise they grew up loving.