Jack Ham is back in Pittsburgh after being released from the University of Washington Medical Center, a positive update that Penn State play-by-play broadcaster Steve Jones shared during Saturday’s pregame show.
Jones said Ham flew home from Seattle, offering a reassuring sign a week after a medical emergency cut into his broadcasting duties. Ham, 77, had been hospitalized before Penn State’s game against Washington.
The news landed as welcome relief for both the Penn State community and Steelers fans who have been tracking his recovery. After the Washington game, Penn State head coach Matt Campbell thanked the University of Washington medical personnel who helped save Ham’s life.
Ham’s connection to Penn State runs deep, starting with his playing days under Joe Paterno. He was a consensus All-America selection in 1970 before going on to become one of the most accomplished linebackers in NFL history.
He spent his entire pro career with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1971 through 1982, becoming a central piece of the franchise’s famous defense. His 53 career takeaways still stand as the NFL record for a player who was not a defensive back.
Ham later built a second career in broadcasting. He joined Jones on Penn State’s radio crew in 2000 and brought his experience as a former player to generations of listeners following the Nittany Lions.
Brian Tripp has continued working with Jones on Penn State’s radio broadcasts while Ham recovers. For now, the key update is simple: Ham has left the hospital and is back home in Pittsburgh.
In Other News...
Penn State Fans Still Waiting On Minnesota Game As Uncertainty Grows
A nationwide ground stop tied to communications problems at regional air traffic control centers rippled into Penn States Week 11 matchup with Minnesota, leaving the Golden Gophers travel plans in limbo for much of Friday. The Federal Aviation Administration lifted the stop after about four hours, but Minnesota still had not finalized its trip by late Friday evening, adding another layer of uncertainty to a game that was already on the calendar and now had to wait on logistics.
The delay was not isolated to one program, either. Other Big Ten teams, including Purdue and Washington, also felt the effects as flights were delayed or altered, a reminder of how quickly a routine football weekend can get complicated when air travel gets disrupted. For Penn State fans looking ahead to Saturday, the game itself remained the focus, but the buildup had an unusual wrinkle as Minnesotas arrival remained unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Rally Ends In Another Brutal Big Ten Near-Miss
Penn State had a chance to turn a tight road game into a statement result at Yost Ice Arena, and for much of the night it looked like the Nittany Lions might leave with something to show for it. Instead, Michigan found the finishing touch late and pulled away for a 6-3 win, a result that extended Penn States difficult start and kept the Lions searching for their first Big Ten victory.
The frustration was amplified by a pivotal offside review that wiped out what would have been a tying goal, a sequence that left Penn State chasing the game again just when momentum seemed ready to swing. Justin Poirier and Reese Laubach were among the notable contributors in a spirited effort, but the Lions still slipped to 2-8-1 overall and 0-4-1 in conference play, another near-miss in a league that has not given them much margin for error. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Lands An Early In-State Recruiting Test Under Matt Campbell
Penn States early work in the 2028 class already has a notable in-state win, with four-star cornerback Deonte Flemings Jr. committing to the Nittany Lions under head coach Matt Campbell. Ranked as the No. 5 player in Pennsylvania, Flemings has become one of the more important local names in the cycle, and his decision gives Penn State an early foothold with a prospect who knows the program well and has built strong ties with the staff.
Flemings has continued to take other visits, but those relationships have kept him steady in his pledge as he looks ahead to his own development. He has spoken about how much he expects to grow as a player before arriving in Happy Valley, and for Penn State, the bigger picture is just as encouraging: landing a highly regarded in-state defensive back this early gives the program a chance to keep building around a player who already seems invested in what comes next. [Read more 🡒]