Pittsburgh running back James Conner was the ACC Player of the Year in 2014 when he rushed for nearly 1,800 yards and 26 touchdowns. Conner expected to duplicate his success for the Panthers last season, but was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December of 2015.
Still, Conner hasn’t let his cancer get in the way of his football dreams. In fact, as shown in a video on Ellen, Conner still shows up to work out with his teammates in between chemo treatments, even though it means he has to wear a mask over his face. Conner’s commitment to football even in the face of his disease is serving as inspiration for his teammates. But it was an NFL star who inspired him.
Chiefs safety Eric Berry famously fought through the same form of cancer that Conner has, even making it to the Pro Bowl and winning Comeback Player of the Year in the NFL last season. Although Berry spoke to Conner over the phone after he heard about his diagnosis, the two had never met in person — that is until Berry surprised Conner during Thursday’s episode of Ellen.
Conner has an incredibly positive attitude when it comes to his disease, but meeting Berry may be that extra bit of motivation he needs to get through his final two chemo treatments. Hopefully one day the two cancer survivors will get to meet again, except this time on an NFL field.
(Via The Ellen Show)
