Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner has been an inspiration to his teammates and the university since announcing his diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma this past December.
The 2014 ACC Player of the Year tore his MCL in the season opener in 2015, and despite chemo treatments and knee surgery the Panthers star running back is already back practicing with his teammates.
"He is such an inspiration," said head coach Pat Narduzzi. "Our kids see him, and whenever they feel like they're tired and or life's getting tough, they look at him and see what he's doing. The guy doesn't want to pull back on anything. He's such an unbelievable kid."
Major League Baseball and the Pittsburgh Pirates have decided to honor the resilient young man, and the university announced Wednesday that Conner will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates' Opening Day game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
"I'm honored and thrilled to throw out the first pitch for the Pirates' season opener and I want to thank everyone in the organization for this incredible invitation," Connor said. "It has been a long time since I played baseball but I'll make sure my arm is ready to throw a strike on Sunday. The Bucs' road to the World Series begins this weekend and I can't wait to be at PNC Park."
The Panthers star running back rushed for 1,765 yards and scored 26 touchdowns in his sophomore season, and remains hopeful to play in 2016. Conner has not only been an inspiration to the football team and the university, but the community as a whole, and should receive a standing ovation when he takes the mound this Sunday.
"When I heard those words - 'You have cancer' - I admit I was scared," said Conner after announcing his diagnosis. "But after thinking about it for a bit, I realized that fear is a choice. I choose to fight it and I will win."
Conner has already been honored as a member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which a group of football student-athletes that have made a positive impact on the community and for others. Conner has been an inspiration to so many during a difficult time, and has only shown perseverance and strength to his teammates and the community, as he has transcended the sport of football becoming a role model for many around the country.
