Where Are They Now?

 

JACK HAM
Linebacker

1971-82

Resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

 

 

What is your current job and what does it entail?

I am a senior Vice-President with Targe Energy in Pittsburgh. I am on the coal side of contracts for our existing coal properties that we acquired. I do the color for Penn State Football on their radio network.

 

 

What is the fondest memory from your playing career?

For me it was how there were so many great players, who ended up being in the Hall of Fame, and we were able to play so well as a team. The teamwork that we had everybody didn't care about their own personal stats or whatever. They cared about winning football games and championship games and that was something special I will always remember.

 

 

What was your best game?

I think the AFC Championship game when we played the Raiders in Oakland to go to our first Super Bowl. It was a great team effort for our defense and winning on the road was special for our entire team. It jump started us to go to our first Super Bowl.

 

 

What did you like most about playing for the Steelers?

I think from top to bottom people cared about winning football games. It was not always the team that had the most talent that won championships, it was the team that played well together. From the Rooney's all the way down to Chuck Noll, who I never thought got the recognition he deserved, were big reasons why we had the run that we did for eight to 10 years.

 

 

Teammate you were closest to during your playing days and why?

There were so many players I had great relationships with – Andy Russell, Mike Wagner and Jack Lambert. Mike and I came into the league together and formed a relationship from day one. We still have that relationship today. There were so many quality guys on our football team. Mike and I were drafted together, were roommates throughout our career. He is the guy I began close to immediately.

 

 

Do you still keep in touch with former teammates?

Once your playing days are over everybody scatters throughout the country. I think we were successful on the football field here and are in business too here today. There are so many guys still here. All of those guys who are still here were great players but had outstanding careers here after their playing careers were over.

 

 

Why do you think so many players stayed in the Pittsburgh area?

Not that we weren't making nice money here, but a lot of guys looked at their careers post-football. I think Chuck Noll would say to us every year we would have to be prepared to go with our life's work. Football was an avocation. You needed something you were going to do after your football career was over. Because of the success we had on the field guys had opportunities to get in the community and look for careers for after football. It was logical to stay here. Lynn Swann grew up in Southern California and fell in love with Pittsburgh and stayed here. A lot of those guys did that.

 

 

Who is the one player you think should definitely be on the 75^th season team?

Joe Greene.

 

 

Do you still follow the Steelers and if so, how closely?

One of the things I do is the Jack Ham Football Show on ESPN Radio with Mark Madden. Because of that I stayed very close to the team the last few years. I am not just a casual fan. I watch with a lot of intent. I can be critical. I try to be as honest as I can. I have been fair.  

 

Visit the Steelers Alumni page for more on the team's former players