Here’s your heartwarming tale from the 2022 Pro Bowl, which takes place later today at 3:00 PM on ESPN. Many know the story behind James Conner’s battles with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer during his time in college at Pitt.
Conner never let his diagnosis from Dec. 4, 2015, get him down, vowing to “not fear cancer” while stating “I will play football again“. Putting mind over matter, Conner accomplished his goals and announced he was cancer-free on May 23, 2016. Conner would return to the lineup in time for the season opener in 2016 and proceeded to have a very productive year, in which he rushed for 1,092 yards and added 16 rushing touchdowns.
The next year, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected the running back in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Seeing the courageous Conner battle through what had been the toughest moment of his career provided inspiration to anyone who heard his story, especially those who have dealt with similar struggles.
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James Conner continues to inspire
Yesterday during the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge, cameras picked up a special exchange that may not have been meant for public consumption, but we’re pretty thankful it was.
The conversation centered on Green Bay Packers linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti speaking, well, thanking James Conner based on an old gesture he made when Conner played for the Steelers. A few years back when he was a Steeler, their special teams coach Danny Smith asked Conner if he would be willing to sign some memorabilia for a friend of Smith’s whose daughter was diagnosed with cancer. Conner obliged, signing some gear for Olivadotti’s daughter.
Olivadotti finally got the chance to thank Conner in person while at the Pro Bowl, who went to say his daughter is now cancer-free and that Conner has been her favorite player since he was willing to sign some autographs for her. Here is the conversation.
What an awesome story. Conner, now an Arizona Cardinal reached his second Pro Bowl this season after rushing for 15 touchdowns in 15 games.
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