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James Conner discusses cancer battle on Ellen, meets Eric Berry

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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Pittsburgh running back James Conner was on Ellen to discuss his battle with cancer and meet one of his biggest inspirations during his fight with lymphoma.

James Conner was the reigning ACC Player of the Year, a Heisman candidate and looked like he had a promising professional career in front of him as he entered the 2015 season.

Unfortunately, all that was dashed in a flash for the Pittsburgh Panthers junior running back who missed all but one game after tearing his MCL in the season opener.

That was just the beginning of what can be described as the worst year in the life of the bruising back. In December, Conner was diagnosed with Hodgkins’ Lymphoma in December and he suddenly had to fight for his football career and his life.

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Conner showed the same tenacity and toughness with his cancer fight as he did would-be tacklers on the gridiron and found inspiration from Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro safety Eric Berry who had the same cancer diagnosis as Conner. Berry beat cancer and returned to All-Pro form and he surprised Conner on Thursday’s episode of Ellen.

It’s hard not to get chills or a little choked up when the two hug and to see Conner’s reaction to seeing the person who has served as a motivation and inspiration.

Conner says he owes it to his teammates and the city of Pittsburgh to get back on the field for the team’s September 3 opener and that’s why he’s been involved in offseason workouts between his chemo appointments he’s had every two weeks since the diagnosis.

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He is nearing the end of his chemo cycle and will have to wait one month to get a scan to see where his health stands, but hopefully, Conner will get the news that his cancer is in remission and he’ll make the same triumphant return to the field that Berry did.

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