Chicago — The Big Ten Network has named Penn State’s Jack Ham and Minnesota’s Bronko Nagurski as Big Ten Icons numbers 22 and 21, respectively.Big Ten Icons, presented by Discover, is the network’s most ambitious multi-platform initiative to date. The program is counting down the top 50 student-athletes in Big Ten history on www.BigTenIcons.com based solely on their collegiate playing careers.
A product of Johnstown, Pa., Ham quickly developed into one of the greatest linebackers in college football history and helped Penn State earn the moniker, "Linebacker U." He earned a starting role as a sophomore in 1968, his first year of eligibility, and helped the Nittany Lions to a 31-game unbeaten streak. During Ham’s sophomore and junior seasons, Penn State posted back-to-back 11-0 seasons capped by Orange Bowl wins, but finished second in the polls both years. A senior co-captain in 1970, he led the team with 91 tackles, had four interceptions and set a school record with three blocked punts and earned first-team All-America honors.
A second round draft choice of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers in 1971, Ham was a nine-time All-Pro linebacker, helping the Steelers to four Super Bowl titles. He was selected NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1975 and played his entire 12-year NFL career in Pittsburgh.
Ham is the only Penn Stater inducted into both the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame (1990) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1988).
Ham is in his 11th season working alongside Steve Jones on Penn State football radio broadcasts on the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com.
an essay for www.BigTenIcons.com, former Chicago Tribune sports editor Dan McGrath wrote, "As much as any of the 13 first-team All-Americans who have played the position, Ham is responsible for Penn State’s estimable reputation as ‘Linebacker U.’" To read the full essay and to watch a video feature on Ham, visit his Big Ten Icons locker at www.BigTenIcons.com.
Ham is the fourth Penn State student-athlete revealed as a Big Ten Icon thus far, joining running back Curt Warner, linebacker LaVar Arrington and women’s volleyball’s Megan Hodge.
Icons 50 through 21 are profiled at www.BigTenIcons.com. The website also features essays, video and other key facts about each student-athletes’ career. Viewers can also participate in the "Talk of the Locker Room" contest with a chance to win the $10,000 grand prize. Weekly winners will take home a 55-inch Philips HD television.
The television show, hosted by legendary college sports broadcaster Keith Jackson, debuts at 4 PM ET on Saturday with Big Ten Icon No. 20. The countdown continues at 9 p.m. ET every Tuesday night through the end of football season and into the spring. The No. 1 Big Ten Icon will be revealed around the 2011 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament.
