Pitt RB James Conner Announces He's Cancer Free
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pitt running back James Conner says he is cancer free.
Conner sent out a tweet announcing the news.
Conner revealed he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma back in December.
"When I heard those words—'You have cancer'—I admit I was scared," Conner said. "But after thinking about it for a bit, I realized that fear is a choice. I choose to not fear cancer. I choose to fight it and I will win."
Despite the diagnosis, Conner vowed to return to the field.
"I will play football again. I will be at Heinz Field again. I have the best coaches and teammates in the country. I thank God I chose Pitt because now I also have the best doctors in the country and together we will win. I know this city has my back," Conner said.
Coach Pat Narduzzi never ceased to be amazed by his star running back.
Narduzzi said that he's been incredibly impressed by how Conner carried himself during spring practice.
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"He's just a super kid," Narduzzi said. "I mean, you don't even know he's there, to be honest with you. He's not one of those guys that needs the attention. He just wants to play football. He loves the game, he loves being around his teammates, and you wouldn't know that he's going through the battle he's going through."
The coach released this statement on the update to Conner's condition:
"Over the past six months, James Conner fought cancer the same way he plays football: relentlessly and without surrender. He has inspired and touched so many people in how he has handled this challenge. James is an incredibly special person, and I'm not even thinking about his football ability when I say that. Everyone at Pitt feels blessed to know him and we are tremendously thankful for the wonderful news he received today."