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Pat Narduzzi says James Conner will beat cancer, play for Pitt in 2016

By Patrick Schmidt

Sep 5, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) rushes the ball against the Youngstown State Penguins during the first half at Heinz Field. The Panthers won 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) rushes the ball against the Youngstown State Penguins during the first half at Heinz Field. The Panthers won 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pitt football head coach Pat Narduzzi says running back James Conner will beat cancer and play for the Panthers in 2016.

Two months and one day after it was announced Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner was battling lymphoma, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi believes he will beat cancer and guaranteed his return to the field in 2016.

“He’s going through a huge battle in his life and he’s fighting for his life really but he’s doing well,” Narduzzi said, via ESPN.com’s Jared Shanker. “I saw him yesterday in the hallway and he’s been working out with our kids to keep his sanity and he’s having fun doing it. What’s key is he’s having fun beating cancer and he’s got a great attitude and he looks good right now. He’s doing well and looks well. Doesn’t look like he lost weight. Looks like he could still play. He doesn’t look like he has cancer. He will beat cancer. He’ll be playing for the Panthers next fall, I can guarantee that.”

This is awfully encouraging news for Conner who had to put his football career on hold while battling cancer. He was injured in Pitt’s season opener when he suffered a torn MCL in his knee after winning the ACC Player of the Year Award in 2014 when he was one of the nation’s best running backs.

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Conner ran for 1,775 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2014 so having him back healthy and on the field will go a long way toward Pitt contending for an ACC division title in 2016.

In a sport where people are evaluated on wins and losses, there can be no bigger win for Pitt and Conner than beating cancer and continuing his football career with Pitt and later in the NFL.

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