University of Pittsburgh All-American running back James Conner announced Friday that he has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“When I heard those words — ‘you have cancer’ — I admit I was scared,” Conner said in a statement. “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.”
“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.”
As a sophomore in 2014, Conner rushed for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns and was named the ACC’s Player of the Year. He missed most of the 2015 season after tearing his MCL in the Panthers’ first game of the year.