After a sudden medical emergency on Saturday, radio analyst Jack Ham for Penn State is stable at the University of Washington Medical Center. The 77-year-old legend suffered the issue just as his team arrived at Husky Stadium for their game against Washington. Nittany Lions coach Matt Campbell called the event “a gut-wrenching day for Penn State football” in his postgame press conference, according to the New York Post. The situation turned from a crisis into a story of survival thanks to the quick actions of Ham’s longtime broadcast partner.
The Man Who Stepped In
Steve Jones, the play-by-play voice who has worked alongside Ham for nearly 27 years, made a “heroic effort” to get help when the emergency started. Campbell stated that if it were not for Jones and what he did, the team might not have received such good news. “If it’s not for Steve and what he did, I don’t know if we would have as good news as we do right now,” Campbell said, according to the New York Post. Jones rushed Ham across the street to the hospital where doctors treated him immediately. Without that split-second decision, the outcome for Ham could have been very different.
A Team United by Grief
Coach Campbell told his players about the emergency before they took the field, making it a key focus for the entire squad. He felt it was “critical” for the kids to understand what was happening while they prepared to play. The Nittany Lions went on to win a tight game 28-25, but the victory felt secondary to the health of their program icon. Campbell praised his kids’ courage to play, highlighting what Jack Ham signifies for Penn State football. The win was dedicated to Ham and his family as a way to honor his legacy on the field.
A Legacy Built on Hard Work
Drafted by the Steelers in 1971, he played on two undefeated Penn State teams during 1968 and 1969. During his 12 seasons in Pittsburgh, he recorded 32 career interceptions and won four Super Bowl titles. Former NFL coach Todd Haley posted on X that Ham is “one of the greatest to ever play football” and asked for prayers for his recovery. As a member of the Penn State Sports Network broadcast team, Ham has served the program for decades since 2000. Campbell said, “Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with him for a full recovery”. The team will face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 8:20 p.m. ET in their next matchup.
