Atlanta, GA – December 8, 2016 – College Football Hall of Fame: Portrait of College Football Awards winner of the Disney Spirit Award, James Conner of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers
(Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)
The news hit me twice in about thirty seconds. When James Conner announced to the world a little over a year ago that he had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, I had the unfortunate pleasure of learning twice. Pitt put up a feed online for fans to watch but there was a lag. So while I scrolled on twitter waiting for the press conference to begin, I saw it.
“James Conner announces he has been diagnosed with cancer.”
Thirty seconds later I heard the words from his mouth while I was still processing what I had just read. I was sitting at my desk fighting back tears. He’s young. He’s an elite athlete. I had already accepted this press conference was to announce that he’s going to the NFL. Get paid while you can. But this? Like so much else in life, it didn’t feel fair.
Here was an invincible athlete facing a battle for his life. In a situation where most of us would like privacy, James Conner declared war on cancer in the most public way possible.
The result is a story that has inspired millions. Holly Rowe of ESPN pointed out how James’ workout pulled her out of one of her darkest moments. James used his platform to give hope to five year old Andrew O’Neil. Conner’s appearance on Ellen told his story to people who have never even watched a football game. He has shown those at war with cancer, like Colin Dunlap’s daughter Darran, that his support is 24/7.
Conner did not just overcome cancer. He beat it. He came back from both cancer and a devastating knee injury. His story alone, would be astounding. But Conner was more than merely a mascot for the school and the team. He got stronger as the year wore on. Returning to being the vital part of Pitt’s offense. Truly, part of the team and with teammates he so clearly cherishes.
The amount of people that, fighting cancer or otherwise, he has inspired is immeasurable.
Cancer affects all of us. Cancer was part of my most emotional roller coaster of a week ever. On a Monday in June of 2013, I found out I was going to be a dad. Four days later, my dog succumbed to a one and a half year battle with lymphoma. Two days after that, I found out an uncle who was like a grandfather to me lost his battle to cancer. Before Christmas later that year I lost another uncle to cancer. I can only hope that those who have loved ones suffering have something to carry them through like I did.
For all of the reasons we are thankful for James Conner, I have one to add. One of the great traditions of fatherhood is regaling our children with sports stories. My son is two now and has seen Conner play, but he won’t remember. I was holding him when Conner scored his first against Villanova. I’ll always savor that moment. As he grows up, I get to tell him stories about Conner’s touchdown vs Clemson, his record breaking sophomore year, the emotions I felt when he came out of the tunnel versus Villanova, and most importantly, how he inspired millions and deserves every bit of admiration we give him and so much more.
No matter where life takes him, I will always be a James Conner fan. My only hope is that his NFL career lasts long enough for me to take my son to see him when he’s old enough to remember. Then, if only for a fleeting glimpse, he gets to see the greatness we’ve all experienced the past four years.
Thank you James Conner for giving me a story I can tell my son about for the rest of our lives. I can’t wait to watch you one last time in person at the Pinstripe Bowl. I’m going to savor every second even if I’m not ready for your Pitt career to over.
Thank God it’s only your Pitt career that’s ending.
MC’s gotta think he deserves to move up the $ ladder!! Sure hope I’m right!
I thought MC did a great job improving NP this past year, and was looking forward to him bringing McVittie up, as well. Losing JC is one thing, but having to say “Goodbye” to both would hurt all that much more. Not to mention his ability to dissect a defense!
The only positives are relationships. He knows what he has with Narduzzi. Narduzzi gave him a chance to do great things when the door shut on him at NCSt. Can’t blame a guy for tripling his salary when he is hot! It is a business. He will be a head coach soon if he stays at Pitt. His future is uncertain if he struggles against Alabama. He has beaten the big dog in the ACC with lesser talent. If he can’t beat Alabama after two years, he will be out. So the question is whether he wants job security and opportunity or whether he wants the cash and hopes for victories against Alabama. Interesting dilemma. At some point, many believe that it’s not about the money, but real life says it’s always about the money. Make a run at him and see what happens.
Kiffin is the perfect example of an offensive guru that fell out of favor and took a big SEC job. That job didn’t help him get a greater opportunity. He got an opportunity at a place where he will struggle to win. He took a pay cut to get out of a hostile work environment in the SEC.
Good article Justin!
LSU is a football factory, lots of Oil money, too bad the Natural Gas money isn’t willing to help Pitt’s sports teams.
I hope Canada doesn’t have a wife who prefers warm weather….
Also, Greg Roman? As far as I can tell he has never worked with Narduzzi and only coached college for 2 years at Stanford.
Pittsburgh’s cost-of-living is quite reasonable compared to other metropolitan areas.
You can get a very nice house here for a reasonable price, plus all the cultural, medical and athletic benefits here.
I wish something could be done to assure promising players the benefits of an NFL career while playing out their eligibility for their alma maters.
Program cannot afford to lose MC..at this time..
Agree with the poster who commented on Wade… don’t need a 5’9″ corner…
Regarding Canada, he has to recognize his stock may never be higher. Who knows to what extent the stars all aligned this year? Remember this is the same coach who was shown the door at NC St. So he knows first hand how fleeting success can be. Of course Pitt should, and no doubt will, try to retain his services but if he leaves I wish him well and have every confidence Narduzzi will fill the hole with another winner just like Cowher did for many years with the Steelers.
Either join the MAC or Div II or get serious about being a Power 5 school. No wonder fans don’t go to games and we can’t get recruits….
I mean.. it’s a lateral fuckn move! He’ll never have the success there than what he had his one year here
I’m just very sad, everything was rolling, when and if narduzzi leaves I’m gonna be a disaster!!!
Agree, it’s just like the pirates, pay ppl if you want to be serious about winning!, must be a pittsburgh thing
Keith – I assume you’ve been with Pitt for the past 30 years. This hiccup is a blip on the radar screen, compared to what we – and our athletes – have been thru in that time span!
If MC leaves – and I’m not sayin’ he’s gone – as HCPN says, “Next man up.” But, also recall HCPN sayin’ he wants continuity in his staff – and I think he thinks MC is worth fighting for. Don’t give up the ship just yet.
If Canada leaves I have no doubt narduzzi leaves just when things get real good
I blame a lot of it on the lack of attractability to this job and most of it goes to the pathetic fans of Pittsburgh
What kid or coach for that matter wants to play in a half empty stadium??, Pittsburgh fans are the worst, come late leave early, and tons of excuses why not to go to a game
I guess I have to start realizing pitt is a stepping stone job and not a Destiny job, and we’ll never be where I want us to go
But easier said than done, I want pitt to win so bad it affects me on a daily basis!, and most people in my area are psu fans so that doesn’t help!
Hail to pitt!, I will alwAys hail to pitt, and then get punched in the fuckn stomach!
Conner made Canada’s Offense GO more than you know.
Defense remains the UNKNOWN commodity. No guarantees, based upon what we’ve seen so far from Narduzzi.
There’s not a Div 3 team that would even give Conklin the time of day!!! LOL
With a decent defense this year this team may have been in the playoff. Why, because of the offense. Looking back, this may have been the best chance they had in the last 40 years.
Ok i want Canda to stay for all of the obvious reasons but
the attention he is getting is the product of success. He has to do what is best for his family.
Back to Connor. Can’t help thinking how desperate we were to get and keep Shell….we lose him….then our of nowhere comes the one and only JC! JC then proceeds to outperform
Shell in all areas including class. JC one of the great Panthers of all time….make a bundle in the NFL and have a long successful career.
Seeing him in the Pizza Bowl as a FR inspired hope in this fan that Pitt actually may be good again.
2014 was awesome and fun for this fan. The team record did not reflect what we should have witnessed in the W column.
Then, sitting in the stands for HCPN’s 1st game, I noticed JC was not in the game but in the sidelines be attended to. Disappointment was a mild description and then he disappeared from the sideline. QO made this fan forget for a moment and then the news of the Conner knee injury depressed the masses.
But this young man was determined to come back to FB and be a beast again.
Who knew what was next. Hollywood could not write a better script for this fan.
I’ll be rooting for James “the beast” Conner one more time in a Pitt uniform at the Pinstripe Biwl, but rooting for the man for a lifetime.
Thanks James – you make your family, your home town and University very proud.
Carry on…
