Pittsburgh running back James Connor announced on Friday that he has Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“When I heard those words – ‘You have cancer’ – I admit I was scared,” Conner said in a statement, via Dr. Saturday. “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.”
The 2014 ACC Player of the Year missed most of the year after injuring his knee in the season opener. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is considered a treatable form of cancer, and Conner appears to have a great attitude about his fight.
