Penn State Hall of Famer Jack Ham is still hospitalized in Seattle after a medical emergency over the weekend, but head coach Matt Campbell said Tuesday that the legendary linebacker is showing “great progress.”
Campbell addressed Ham’s condition during his weekly Tuesday, Nov. 10, press conference, saying the 77-year-old has remained in stable condition since being taken to the University of Washington Medical Center on Saturday, Nov. 7. Ham was rushed to the hospital about an hour or so before Penn State’s 28-25 win over Washington at Husky Stadium.
“Talked to him a little bit (Monday), talked to him a little bit (Tuesday),” Campbell said. “We got to see him after the game, which was awesome, and he was doing really well.
“You know, again, I think that is great progress. We hopefully get him back here sooner than later.
But I want to just say, from my end, a sincere 'thank you' to so many people who have reached out. Obviously, what Jack and his family mean to Penn State football and on behalf of our program and obviously the athletic department ...
The love, the care that we have gotten on behalf of Jack, we really appreciate it greatly.”
Campbell also spoke about Ham right after the win over the Huskies, tying the moment to what the Penn State icon has meant to the program.
“What I was really proud of our football team, and we talked about a little bit before we went out to the game. Just the courage of our kids to play with what Jack Ham means to Penn State football, how that guy played the game, how that guy still to this day serves our football program. It was awesome to be able to go win the football game for him and his family, and our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with him on a full recovery.”
Ham’s Penn State legacy runs deep. He was a consensus All-American linebacker, the 34th player taken in the 1971 NFL Draft, and later went on to win four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also became one of the most respected linebackers in NFL history, known especially for his work as a pass defender.
He was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1975 and made eight straight Pro Bowls.
Beyond his playing career, Ham has spent more than 20 years as a color commentator on Penn State football radio broadcasts alongside Steve Jones.
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