MINNEAPOLIS — The first practice of training camp was over and most of the Vikings players had retreated to the locker room, except for a few stragglers who wanted to get in more individual work.

Naturally, the fifth-oldest and second-longest-tenured player on the roster was among the last to leave, even though the indoor practice facility felt like a sauna.

C.J. Ham never takes anything for granted. The fullback figures he can always improve in some area, always know a little bit more than he did the previous day.

“Adam Thielen told me my rookie year, ‘Don’t ever let the reason you’re not on the field be because you don’t know what to do,’ ” Ham said after the field had emptied. “I always try to know what to do. Obviously, I can’t do anything Justin Jefferson can do, but if I get put in his position, I’m going to know what to do. It might not look the same, but I’m going to know what to do.”

That mindset perfectly explains how an undrafted player from Division II Augustana survives a decade in the NFL playing a position that has been devalued across the league with the evolution of offenses.

C.J. Ham stuck around by making himself indispensable.

The long-shot success story continued Tuesday, when Ham reported for his 10th training camp, all with the Vikings. That alone was worthy of celebration, but something else made it special. Ham turned 32 on reporting day.

Happy birthday. Now get to work.

“Having your birthday on the first day of camp isn’t ideal,” he said, smiling, “but you roll with it. At least you get to be with your friends on your birthday.”

His entire career stands as a testament to the power of positivity and adaptability. Ham played running back in college and his rookie season on the practice squad. The Vikings drafted Dalvin Cook the next year to join Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon in the backfield.

Ham assessed the situation, vowed to work as hard as possible but …

“Realistically,” he said, “it’s going to be tough.”

Luckily, the Vikings had different plans. They asked Ham to learn the fullback position. He’s entering his ninth season in that role; he’s been selected for the Pro Bowl twice.

He has 39 career carries. That’s nearly five per season. You’ll never hear him complain.

“You get a sense of gratitude helping your teammates be successful,” he said. “Hitting a block where the running back follows you and the running back runs down the sideline, that feels better than any carry, any touchdown that I’ve ever had in my life.”

His job description is mostly anonymous grunt work — block for others, play on special teams — but few players command as much respect inside the organization as Ham.

He has not missed a game since 2020. He’s missed two games total in eight seasons, astonishing durability considering the physical punishment that he both delivers and absorbs.

“He is the hallmark of consistency,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “Whatever C.J. Ham has been asked to do, he does it. Doesn’t matter the circumstance. He’s one of the smarter players I’ve been around. I feel very fortunate to have a player like that. It doesn’t surprise me that every year when you count those captain votes, C.J.’s name keeps showing up.”

Teammates have voted him captain in four seasons. Two Pro Bowls, four-time captain. One is more meaningful to him than the other.

“Being a captain is more important,” he said. “Being a good teammate is something that I value more than any personal accolade I can get on this field. There will be another person who has two Pro Bowls at my position. There will be somebody who surpasses what I’ve done. One thing I want to be remembered for is if somebody says, ‘Who was C.J?’ [The answer is] he was a person who cared about me and was respectful. Cared about something more than himself.”

Call it a hunch, but when Vikings players vote on captains again this season, their fullback will be on the list.

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