Pitt RB James Conner diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner announced on Friday he is battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Pitt running back and last year’s ACC Player of the Year, James Conner disclosed on Friday afternoon the bruising running back is battling Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in his chest and neck.
Conner met with the media to disclose the diagnosis and he was surrounded by Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi as well as several of his teammates who have rallied around him, which prompted Conner to say, “I’m not fighting this alone.”
Conner said this is the same type of cancer that Kansas City Chiefs and former Tennessee Volunteers All-American safety Eric Berry battled last year and he made a successful return to the football field this year.
"we are going to fight it and we are going to beat this thing."
— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) December 4, 2015
This is a highly treatable form of cancer with a high cure rate estimated somewhere between 85 and 95 percent and Conner is confident this will not end his football career and he’ll be able to pursue a career in the NFL. He thanked God for steering him in the direction to come to Pitt because they have the greatest doctors in the country.
"I will play football again. Thank God I chose Pitt. They have the greatest doctors in the country."
— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) December 4, 2015
Treatment starts Tuesday for Conner and it will last six months and with his mindset about choosing not to fear cancer, I hope Conner can beat cancer and continue his promising football career as soon as he’s healthy.
James Conner: "When I heard those words, ‘You have cancer,' I was scared. “But fear is a choice. I choose to not fear cancer. ... "
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) December 4, 2015
Conner won the ACC Player of the Year last year as a sophomore after rushing for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns. He injured his knee in the season opener but said at his press conference on Friday the knee is 100 percent.