Jack Ham Biography

Jack Ham Jr. was born on December 23, 1948, and played professional football as a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1971 to 1982. He is recognized as one of the most accomplished outside linebackers in NFL history. Ham earned induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2019, a PSU Alumni Association newsletter ranked him first among 100 greatest athletes in Penn State University history. He played college football at Pennsylvania State University and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was honored alongside John Cappelletti, LaVar Arrington, and Shane Conlan in the recognition. After announcing his retirement on February 17, 1983, Ham launched a career in radio broadcasting.