According to a statement from Penn State Athletics, Penn State legend and radio color commentator Jack Ham was hospitalized in Seattle on Saturday before Penn State’s Week 10 matchup with Washington after an undisclosed medical emergency.
As of Saturday afternoon, Ham is being treated at the University of Washington Medical Center. The university did not provide any further information on Ham’s condition.
The 77-year-old Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer played at Penn State from 1968-70 before becoming a second-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1971 NFL Draft. Ham played a major role in Penn State’s back-to-back 11-0 seasons in 1969 and 1970 and consecutive Orange Bowl wins.
Ham was named an All-American at the end of his senior year in 1970. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990. The Johnstown, PA, native worked his way up to being a co-captain of the Nittany Lions in 1970. He also helped establish Penn State's reputation as Linebacker U.
In the NFL, he became a six-time First-Team All-Pro selection and an eight-time Pro Bowler. The four-time Super Bowl Champion was a major piece of the “Steel Curtain” defenses in Pittsburgh. He played 12 years for the Steelers before eventually beginning his career as a broadcaster.
He has stayed closely connected to the Penn State community through his game-day analysis work, so naturally, there has been an outpouring of support for Ham from Penn State fans on social media.
Jack Ham hospitalized after undisclosed medical emergency
Ham has been calling Nittany Lions football for the Penn State Sports Network since 2000 alongside play-by-play announcer Steve Jones. Jones was absent from the pregame show before returning to announce Ham’s absence.
Ham arrived with the team and Jones, according to Audrey Snyder.
The entire Penn State community will be wishing Ham the absolute best as he is treated at the University of Washington Medical Center.
Penn State fans send Jack Ham best wishes
Damn, y’all. Prayers up for the unparalleled Jack Ham.
— Chris Buchignani (@buchignani) November 7, 2026
Per @GoPSUsports “experienced a medical emergency earlier today and was transported to the University of Washington Medical Center, where he is being treated.”
Stay strong, 33. 💪 🙏 #WeAre
Prayers up for Jack Ham 🙏🙏🙏
— Barstool Penn State (@PSUBarstool) November 7, 2026
Prayers up for Jack Ham
— Dear Old State (@_DearOldState) November 7, 2026
The voice of Washington Football Elise Woodward also extended her well-wishes to Ham after learning of the news:
From Penn St: “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.”
— Elise Woodward (@EliseMWoodward) November 7, 2026
Our thoughts are with Jack Ham, his family & the Penn State community.💜
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