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Pitt running back James Conner has been diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma – a type of cancer.
Conner received his diagnosis on Thanksgiving Day. He told his teammates on Friday.
“When I heard those words – ‘You have cancer’ – I admit I was scared,” Conner said in a statement released by the school. “But after thinking about it for a bit, I realized that fear is a choice. I choose to not fear cancer. I choose to fight it and I will win.”
ESPN reported that Conner will undergo his first chemotherapy treatment on Tuesday, and will have chemotherapy sessions every other week for the next six months. The cure rate for stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma is 85-95 percent, according to the doctors at the news conference.
Conner is determined to not only beat cancer, but also play football again one day.
“I know there are so many people in the world who were told by their doctors this week that they also have cancer. I want them to know that together we can – and will – beat cancer,” he said.
“I will play football again. I will be at Heinz Field again. I have the best coaches and teammates in the country. I thank God I chose Pitt because now I also have the best doctors in the country, and together we will win. I know this city has my back.”
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi is also confident that Conner will beat cancer.
“It has been almost a year since I first met James and I’ve learned many things about him during that time,” Narduzzi said. “Yes, he is a talented football player, but more importantly, he is an exceptional person. Being an athlete is just a small fraction of who he is. James cares deeply about others. He is invested in his community and helping people in need.”
Last year, Conner was chosen the ACC Player of the Year after rushing for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Panthers. He was also an Associated Press second-team All-American. He tore the MCL in his right knee in the first week of this season, and hasn’t played since then.
Now he’s a cancer patient, at the beginning of a fight to overcome Hodgkin lymphoma.
“One year ago today, I was asking myself, ‘Why me?’ Why was I the lucky one to be getting the ACC Player of the Year award when I had so many teammates who deserved it as much as me?,” Conner said. “Now one year later, instead of asking, ‘Why me?’ I am saying, ‘Why not me?’ I can beat cancer.”
“Know this: James Conner will not face this challenge alone,” Narduzzi said. “We are all going to be right beside him every step of the way. And the day that he is declared cancer free, we will all celebrate like we do after one of his patented touchdown runs. James has never backed down from an opponent, and we all know this is a battle he will win.”
