Pittsburgh running back returns to field after cancer diagnosis
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sept. 3, 2016: Signs in the student section of Heinz Field welcome back Pittsburgh running back James Conner during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Villanova in Pittsburgh. (AP)
James Conner added another chapter to his inspirational story on Saturday when he charged out of the Heinz Field tunnel and returned to the field for the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Conner suffered a season-ending knee injury in last year’s opener and then was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma last winter. Fittingly on Saturday, he had some special guests in attendance for his return:
Conner's Corner includes family friends, hospital staff and doctors. Wearing surgical masks. pic.twitter.com/JBnxeZzWqy
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 3, 2016
And guess what? Conner rushed for Pitt's first TD of the season and caught its second TD of the season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}His journey back – he was working out with the Panthers just two months after his diagnosis and during chemotherapy treatments– captured the attention of the college football world. Conner announced in May that he was cancer-free.
During the 2014 season, Conner rushed for 1,765 yards and 26 TDs, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. And he’s ready to pick up where he left off.