Add writing to the list of James Conner’s talents. The Steelers running back recently wrote a book detailing his extraordinary journey from ACC Player of the Year to cancer survivor to the NFL.
In the first game of his junior year at Pitt, Conner tore his MCL. During rehab, he had a chest x-ray and a biopsy that confirmed he had Hodgkins-Lymphoma.
In the book, Conner is candid about his life-altering experience with cancer.
“When I was getting treatment and had camera crews around me, I felt like I was undeserving,” said Conner on The Adam Schefter Podcast. “Just because I have a platform and play football and people hold us to a higher standard and put us on a pedestal at times. We’re all humans and we’re no different. People need help when they go through hard times. To hear so many people say that I’ve been a hope and an inspiration for them — it’s about having a strong mind.”
“Life isn’t always going to be smooth sailing; there’s always going to be ups and downs. It’s just about how we keep pushing and evolving.”
“I had so many people who reached out to me,” said Conner. “I feel like with this book — even without knowing people — I can reach out to them and, hopefully, give them some comfort about anything they’re dealing with.”
Conner hopes that when readers finish the book, they come away with a positive outlook. “I believe perspective is everything. Even when you feel like you’re going through something that’s the worst thing in the world, I promise you there’s going to be a pocket of something positive and something good. Realize adversity is coming, and you can grow from it.”
“Fear is a Choice: Tackling Life’s Challenges with Dignity, Faith, and Determination” will be available June 16 on Amazon and other retailers — just in time for Father’s Day.
