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2 Minnesota Natives Belong in the Vikings Ring of Honor
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- 2 Minnesota Natives Belong in the Vikings Ring of Honor
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings announced that superstar running back Adrian Peterson would be the next inductee into their Ring of Honor. Of course, the future Hall of Famer is a worthy candidate, and his celebration will be met with raucous applause.
Who gets the next nod has been a topic of debate since Peterson's name was announced. Harrison Smith will get there one day, but it's still entirely plausible that he plays for Minnesota again this season. There is also a typical waiting period post-retirement, but that shouldn't stop either C.J. Ham or Adam Thielen from eventually getting their due.
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Thielen and Ham Built Deep Minnesota Football Roots
Both Ham and Thielen played for the Vikings last season, and both opted to hang up their cleats this offseason. It can be argued what level of production they provided over the course of their careers, but there is no denying that both should be enshrined amongst Minnesota royalty.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer and wide receiver Adam Thielen walk together following the matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sep. 21, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The postgame moment showed the two discussing plays as the stadium atmosphere settled after the AFC-NFC contest, reflecting the interaction between quarterback and veteran receiver as they exited the field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Ham, a Duluth native, spent nine seasons with the Vikings . He played the unsexiest position, fullback, and was twice named to the Pro Bowl. He scored in his final career game and logged 141 games with Minnesota, remaining incredibly durable.
Minnesota utilized Ham as a blocker for Dalvin Cook and Aaron Jones . He was a captain and a fixture in the locker room. The fact that he went from an undrafted afterthought to a roster linchpin only cements his legacy in purple.
Nov 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham (30) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Like Ham, Thielen was an undrafted talent who forced his way onto the roster. Like Ham, he earned a pair of Pro Bowl selections and finished with over 8,400 receiving yards . The Vikings brought him back as depth to start last season, and then let him go ring chase with Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers .
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A Detroit Lakes native and Minnesota State Mankato product, Thielen's story was one of great perseverance. He became a star in his own right next to Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson . He helped to keep the Vikings offense humming despite consistent quarterback turnover.
Neither Ham nor Thielen will ever sniff a call from Canton, and they shouldn't. Being inducted among the best to ever play for the Vikings is a must, though, and while their connected ties help the case, it's only a footnote among the reasons why they should eventually be there.
