Steelers Legend Jack Ham Rushed To Hospital After Medical Emergency In Seattle

The Pittsburgh Steelers family received concerning news on Saturday afternoon. Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham, one of the cornerstones of the Steel Curtain defense that won four Super Bowls in the 1970s, was hospitalized after a medical emergency in Seattle. Ham, 77, was there to call Penn State's game against Washington on the radio, a job he has held at his alma mater for more than two decades. There has been no update on his condition so far, and Steelers fans everywhere are waiting for good news.

Ham was taken to the University of Washington Medical Center and is being treated there, according to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. Penn State did not release any further details.

Penn State Athletics shared the news on X on Saturday afternoon.

"Penn State radio analyst Jack Ham experienced a medical emergency earlier today and was transported to the UW Medical Center, where he is being treated. We have no further info right now."

According to the York Daily Record's Frank Bodani, the incident happened after Ham arrived at the stadium. Ham traveled to Seattle with the team and his longtime broadcast partner, Steve Jones, who has called Penn State games alongside him since 2000.

Jones missed part of the pregame show and then came on the air to share that Ham would not be in the booth. Fans and media members quickly shared messages of support for Ham on X.

Steelers Legend Built A Hall Of Fame Career

Ham's place in Steelers history is secure. The Johnstown native starred at Bishop McCort High School and Penn State, where he was an All-American in 1970. The Steelers took him in the second round of the 1971 NFL Draft, 34th overall, and he spent all 12 of his NFL seasons in Pittsburgh.

The numbers still hold up. Ham finished his career with 32 interceptions, 21 fumble recoveries and 25 sacks, according to Steelers.com. His 53 total takeaways are the most ever by a player who was not a defensive back.

He was named to eight straight Pro Bowls from 1973 to 1980 and was a six-time All-Pro. He won four Super Bowl rings with the Steelers, and he was later named to the NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team, the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team and the NFL All-Time Team.

Ham earned those rings in Super Bowls IX, X and XIII, and he was part of the Super Bowl XIV team but missed that game because of an injury. He was also durable, missing only four games in his first 10 seasons. He earned All-AFC honors seven times, and Football News named him its Defensive Player of the Year in 1975.

Ham was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and the College Football Hall of Fame two years later. When the Steelers created their Hall of Honor in 2017, he was part of the first class.

Former teammate Andy Russell once shared a story that summed up how Ham played the game. During a 1975 game against the San Diego Chargers, Ham read a sweep perfectly, made the play, "casually flipped the ball to the ref" and then turned to Russell.

"Where was I?" Ham asked, as if nothing had happened.

That calm, almost effortless style made him one of the smartest linebackers the league has ever seen. He played alongside Jack Lambert on one of the greatest linebacker groups in NFL history, and SteelerNation has looked at his place among the franchise's greatest legends.

Steelers Nation Waits For An Update

Since his playing days ended, Ham has stayed close to the game as a broadcaster. He has been the radio analyst for Penn State since 2000, making him one of the most recognizable voices in Pennsylvania football.

Penn State has not shared any details about his condition beyond confirming that he is being treated. SteelerNation will provide more information as it becomes available.

For now, the thoughts of Steelers fans are with Ham, his family and everyone close to him.

This story was produced with the help of AI and reviewed by SteelerNation editors.

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