James Conner: 'So Thankful That God Chose Me'
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan)- On Dec. 4, 2015, Pitt running back James Conner announced that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. He admitted that when he first heard that awful phrase "you have cancer" he was scared. Then, he countered with, "But, after thinking about it for a bit, I realized that fear is a choice. I choose not to fear cancer. I choose to fight it and I will win."
Fast forward almost eight months to the day, Sept. 3, 2016, and Conner is suited up in the backfield for Pitt's 2016 regular season opener against Villanova at Heinz Field. His story has been heard around the nation and he continues to serve as an inspiration to so many who have been afflicted by cancer and even many who have not.
Conner joined "The Fan Morning Show" and first talked about this Pitt football season, what it's been like to play under head coach Pat Narduzzi and see the positive things the Pitt program is accomplishing.
"It's just an awesome experience and an awesome piece to be a part of," said Conner. "Taking where we've been at the past couple years and where we're going, it's a huge change and I'm just so thankful I was a part of that transition to go to the ACC and just really be a part of everything great that's happening over here."
Conner has been able to play in every game this season for Pitt, but still is not sure if he is quite back to being in the playing shape he was before the diagnosis.
"Every week, I was just really trying to improve," said Conner. "I don't know where I'm at right now, even if I was so-called 100 percent I would still look at myself to try to get better in every category as a running back. So, I don't even know where I'm at right now, every week I'm just trying to improve a little bit and just help the team win."
Conner will be faced with a tough decision at the end of the season; whether or not to leave the Pitt program early and declare for the NFL Draft. No decision has been made yet, but there are many things that will factor into his choice and many people to talk to for advice.
"Start with my family, you know, I sit down and talk with them and then, me and coach will have a conversation about it and any outside source that we think can help us make a smart decision, that's who we'll talk to," said Conner. "But, also I love my teammates, I love this city, love the university so when I do make that decision it will be a tough one."
Despite a fast-paced schedule, Conner has had some time to reflect on what he has been through off the field and how far he has come.
"Every day really, I'm just so grateful to be where I'm at and to know how far I came and who I came with," Conner said. "I'll always be grateful and I feel like I came a long way, but still got a long ways to go."
On top of offering constant encouragement, a message that Conner has relayed to his teammates this season is to play hard for somebody who can't play.
"I know people personally who have had injuries and people who can't play, so you don't take anything for granted," said Conner. "It's cliche, but you never know when your last play is going to be. So, the game is bigger than you, you just go out there out there and you honestly play for somebody. If you have a family member who's in a wheelchair, who has a diagnosis or something and you know that they would want to be in your spot, you don't take that lightly and you play for them."
Most importantly, Conner realized right away that with this diagnosis and the amount of people that look up to him, he had a responsibility to handle himself well, be strong and be an inspiration to others.
"I knew that this was coming with it, me being a survivor and getting back to the field the same way that Eric Berry did with me, it's a responsibility that you have to take whether you like it or not, but I don't see how you couldn't like it because you're [helping to change] lives," said Conner. "So, for me to be in a position to be able to inspire and motivate and really give hope is priceless and I'm just so thankful that God chose me."
You can hear the entire interview with James Conner on "The Fan Morning Show" below.
