University of Pittsburgh Running Back James Conner Honored with 2016 Disney Sports Spirit Award
Junior running back overcomes cancer to make “miracle’’ return to football and regain ACC rushing stardom
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Nov. 21, 2016) – University of Pittsburgh running back James
Conner shook off the most formidable would-be tackler he’s ever encountered – cancer – and
ran back into the college football spotlight this season, earning him the coveted 2016 Disney
Sports Spirit Award.
The award is given annually to college football’s most inspirational figure. Disney Sports Vice
President Faron Kelley will present the prestigious award to Conner at The Home Depot College
Football Awards on Dec. 8 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
“I am incredibly humbled by this recognition, especially when I see the ubelievable list of
people who are past recipients of the Disney Sports Spirit Award,” Conner said. “A year ago at
this time, I was just beginning my battle against cancer. Being able to stand here today, cancer
free, and accept this honor is a blessing beyond words. I’ve been fortunate to have so many
wonderful people — Dr. Stanley Marks, Coach Narduzzi, my teammates and countless others
— support me every step of the way.
“To those who are fighting their own personal battle, I want them to always remember that fear
is a choice. You don’t have to fear cancer. I defeated it and I know you can, too.”
After winning the 2014 ACC Player of the Year Award, Conner was poised to have another
stellar season in 2015. But in the season-opener against Youngstown State, Conner suffered a
season-ending knee injury that might have just saved his life. During his recovery in late
November 2015, X-rays revealed that he had a mass growing on top of his heart, which doctors
diagnosed as Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
During the next six months Conner would undergo grueling chemotherapy treatments every two
weeks that left him exhausted and sick. However, he didn’t endure it passively, but rather with
the same tenacity and aggressiveness that once struck fear in the hearts of defenders during
games. After treatments and wearing a surgical mask to prevent infection, he would sometimes
work out at the gym. Other times he would join the team’s practice, even the ones at 4:30 a.m.
Tattooed on his chest are the words “Dream Believe Achieve.’’
Two weeks after his last chemotherapy treatment earlier this year in May, he was declared
cancer-free. Then this fall, he made an emotional and triumphant return to the field, scoring two
touchdowns to lead Pittsburgh to a season-opening win. He has gone on to another standout
season, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards and setting the ACC record for career touchdowns (53).
His coaches have called his return to the game a “miracle.’’
“Faced with the same debilitating circumstances, there probably aren’t many people who would
ignore the fear that cancer creates and stand up so defiantly to such a life-threatening
diagnosis,’’ said Kelley. “It takes a rare person with an indomitable spirit, which is why he is the
ideal choice for our Disney Sports Spirit Award.’’
Kelley will present the award during The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8,
airing on ESPN at 7 p.m. EST. The show – hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler; and joined by Lee
Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Samantha Ponder and Tom Rinaldi – will originate
from the College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience in Atlanta.
The Red Carpet Special at The Home Depot College Football Awards — hosted by Ponder
and Rinaldi — will air at 6 p.m. EST on ESPNU. Championship Drive: CFB Playoff
Preview — hosted by Chris Cotter; and joined by David Pollack and Howard — will follow the
awards show at 9 p.m. EST on ESPN.
Conner becomes the 21th recipient of the award, joining past honorees Hank Goff (2015), Bob
Stoops and Sterling Shepard (2014), Devon Walker (2013), Nate Boyer (2012), Carson Tinker
and the University of Alabama (2011), D.J. Williams (2010), Mark Herzlich (2009) and Tim
Tebow (2008), among others. The award was first given in 1996 to Rossville High School’s
Daniel Huffman.
Junior running back overcomes cancer to make “miracle’’ return to football and regain ACC rushing stardom
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Nov. 21, 2016) – University of Pittsburgh running back James
Conner shook off the most formidable would-be tackler he’s ever encountered – cancer – and
ran back into the college football spotlight this season, earning him the coveted 2016 Disney
Sports Spirit Award.
The award is given annually to college football’s most inspirational figure. Disney Sports Vice
President Faron Kelley will present the prestigious award to Conner at The Home Depot College
Football Awards on Dec. 8 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
“I am incredibly humbled by this recognition, especially when I see the ubelievable list of
people who are past recipients of the Disney Sports Spirit Award,” Conner said. “A year ago at
this time, I was just beginning my battle against cancer. Being able to stand here today, cancer
free, and accept this honor is a blessing beyond words. I’ve been fortunate to have so many
wonderful people — Dr. Stanley Marks, Coach Narduzzi, my teammates and countless others
— support me every step of the way.
“To those who are fighting their own personal battle, I want them to always remember that fear
is a choice. You don’t have to fear cancer. I defeated it and I know you can, too.”
After winning the 2014 ACC Player of the Year Award, Conner was poised to have another
stellar season in 2015. But in the season-opener against Youngstown State, Conner suffered a
season-ending knee injury that might have just saved his life. During his recovery in late
November 2015, X-rays revealed that he had a mass growing on top of his heart, which doctors
diagnosed as Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
During the next six months Conner would undergo grueling chemotherapy treatments every two
weeks that left him exhausted and sick. However, he didn’t endure it passively, but rather with
the same tenacity and aggressiveness that once struck fear in the hearts of defenders during
games. After treatments and wearing a surgical mask to prevent infection, he would sometimes
work out at the gym. Other times he would join the team’s practice, even the ones at 4:30 a.m.
Tattooed on his chest are the words “Dream Believe Achieve.’’
Two weeks after his last chemotherapy treatment earlier this year in May, he was declared
cancer-free. Then this fall, he made an emotional and triumphant return to the field, scoring two
touchdowns to lead Pittsburgh to a season-opening win. He has gone on to another standout
season, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards and setting the ACC record for career touchdowns (53).
His coaches have called his return to the game a “miracle.’’
“Faced with the same debilitating circumstances, there probably aren’t many people who would
ignore the fear that cancer creates and stand up so defiantly to such a life-threatening
diagnosis,’’ said Kelley. “It takes a rare person with an indomitable spirit, which is why he is the
ideal choice for our Disney Sports Spirit Award.’’
Kelley will present the award during The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8,
airing on ESPN at 7 p.m. EST. The show – hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler; and joined by Lee
Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Samantha Ponder and Tom Rinaldi – will originate
from the College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience in Atlanta.
The Red Carpet Special at The Home Depot College Football Awards — hosted by Ponder
and Rinaldi — will air at 6 p.m. EST on ESPNU. Championship Drive: CFB Playoff
Preview — hosted by Chris Cotter; and joined by David Pollack and Howard — will follow the
awards show at 9 p.m. EST on ESPN.
Conner becomes the 21th recipient of the award, joining past honorees Hank Goff (2015), Bob
Stoops and Sterling Shepard (2014), Devon Walker (2013), Nate Boyer (2012), Carson Tinker
and the University of Alabama (2011), D.J. Williams (2010), Mark Herzlich (2009) and Tim
Tebow (2008), among others. The award was first given in 1996 to Rossville High School’s
Daniel Huffman.
