Fuck.
Pardon me.
FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKF
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I mean, what else can you say.
Earlier this morning Pitt announced that James Conner would be holding a 1:30 press conference. It also noted that his mother would be in attendance along with Head Coach Pat Narduzzi.
The speculation ranged from announcing he was going pro to announcing he would be back for the bowl game.
Well, he is staying at Pitt. Not simply to play football. He he has been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma
“When I heard those words — ‘You have cancer’ — I admit I was scared,” Conner said. “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.
“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? Now one year later, instead of asking, ‘Why me?’ I am saying, ‘Why not me?’ I can beat cancer.
“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.
“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.”
I had the audio stream on my phone going while I was driving. I’m not exaggerating when I say I nearly drove off the road when this dropped. I had to pull over for a few minutes, because my eyes got more than a little misty at this.
I mean, I don’t even know where to go with this.
Conner found out Thanksgiving morning. His teammates were told this morning. That’s why it hasn’t come out until now.
The good news, such as it is, is that even at stage 2 of Hodgkins lymphoma there is a very high success rate in treatment. And as Conner put it, he is at the right school with the right doctors to help him beat this.
I for one am not going to be betting against James Conner crushing this.
Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi said he has no doubt that Conner will triumph over this adversity.
“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.
“Know this: James Conner will not face this challenge alone. 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.”
What he said.
The one plus is that after Conner kicks cancer’s ass, he will be a wonderful spokesperson and ambassador for people afflicted with this horrible fucking disease.
I can’t wait for him to step on the field at Heinz, in uniform or not, so we can give him the loudest ovation he has ever heard!
Fuck, is right.
Proud to be a Panther
HTP
Heck, I’m a wuss and I beat cancer 5 years ago.
— James Conner
James Connor
A great player and even better person. Admire his humility and
service in the community. The big “C” won’t beat number 24.
Also really like PN’s comments.
Get well James !
He is cancer free. Took him 8 months.
100 PERCENT SURE about this one!
@wbb, congrats on your victory!!
— James Conner
#JamesStrong
Good luck Mr. Conner. The entire Pitt family is with you.
H2P!!!
One of the keys to beating cancer is an early detection. If it has not spread, Connor’s chances are much better.
Godspeed and prayers for a full recovery.
Good luck James. You are in our prayers.
So over the last three months James has just rehabed fully back from his knee surgery. Well at this point it is just changing gears into overcoming the next hurdle in his way. Conner’s attitude, mindset and support, needless to say, are all unsurpassed for taking on this new challenge.
Then where better to be than at the University of Pittsburgh to battle this disease? Conner has one of the best doctors in this field!to treat him. Of course, with his notoriety at Pitt, he will also most definitely get the absolute full attention of UPMC.
This last item might seem prejudiced on it’s face. Of course, all patients should get the same excellent care for sure, but for sure James Conner will get excellent care, if you know what I mean?
Get well soon. Just another day in the challenging life of James Conner.
We’re behind you all the way in this fight!
Comment by PittofDreams 12.04.15 @ 2:39 pm
He should say that, then put it on a t-shirts with proceeds going to St Jude’s
Hail to Pitt!
H2P and James Conner
I pledge my prayers for you during this battle!
THANK YOU for being the man that you are!!
Hail to Pitt! And
Hail to James Conner!
Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry is more of a contemporary of Conner’s. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma a year ago. He was back with the team by 2015 training camp — cancer-free — and is a starter again on a club fighting for a playoff spot. He had an interception in the Chiefs’ 23-13 win Oct. 25 against the Steelers.
“I have all the faith in the world I’ll be back playing,” Conner said.
The kid won’t lack for support. Most of his teammates and coaches showed up for his news conference, making it clear they will be there to lift him up on days when he’s down.”
“Cancer started this fight,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “James is going to finish it with the help of his teammates and coaches.”
Conner had been expected to leave Pitt and declare for the 2016 NFL draft. Now, he will be back at Pitt next season, looking not just to rebound from his cancer, but from a serious knee injury that ended his 2015 season in the first game against Youngstown State.
“I look at it as a blessing in disguise,” Conner said. “I’m thankful to have another year with [his teammates]. I’m going to be leaning on them a lot. We’re going to fight everything together.”
Pitt had a good first season under Narduzzi, finishing the regular season with an 8-4 record. Conner’s return in 2016 is just one more reason to be excited about the program. Not because of what Conner will bring on the field, though his contributions should be significant. Because he will have beaten cancer.
Can you imagine the emotion Sept. 3 at Heinz Field when Conner leads Pitt out of the tunnel for its game against Villanova?
WOW!!! How about the following week against the pedos? Even better…
HTP!
We know James “the Beast” Conner will return for his senior year after he kicks cancer’s butt.
Let’s say for a moment Ejuan Price applies to the NCAA for a 6th year and gets it. Now we have Hendrix and Price rushing the passer with much depth behind them.
Now for the stretch – T.Boyd takes out an insurance policy (as income protection from injury) and decides to return to Pitt for his senior year.
Now, (keep dreaming with me for a minute), we have an Oline that will have 2 seniors, 2 juniors and 2 sophomores with much starting experience AND they will be blocking for an All-American/former ACC POY and cancer survivor. J.Parrish will be a senior and can block with the best of them at fullback.
T.Boyd and N.Peterman will have an entire off season to get in sync and play catch. Four * WR R.Flowers along with D.Ford (possible Juwan Winfree) will be on the field, making double teaming T.Boyd tough. Scott Orndorff will be our TE.
On the D side, this unit has yet to fully develop in my dream, but Duzz and Conk will be sure to show improvement with Whitehead, Hendrix and Price leading the way with a fiery overachieving bunch.
Our kicking game will have a senior PK and a junior punter – both with a ton of game day experience and another year under coach Powell’s leadership.
The Coastal Championship goal is a given in this dream – it’s the ACC Championship that this team wants, which could propel them to the CFB final four and knocking on the door of the NC game.
The OOC games will not be looked upon as weak – pedo state, OK State and our ACC crossover game with (current #1 Clemson).
This dream has a happy ending – James Conner beats cancer and the world benefits.
HTP!
P.S. Did I mention I’m heading to the golf course…that’s not a dream my friends.
Reed—can you ask your contacts in the AD department how we can help? Prayers are good. Money is also needed, I suspect.
H2P
