One of the absolute best feel-good stories of the college football season unfolded Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh.
Pitt running back James Conner, who recently won a battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, led his team onto the field and scored two touchdowns against Villanova in his first game back since taking a leave of absence to focus on his health last fall.
https://twitter.com/JamesConner_/status/772048565346656256
Here’s Conner leading his team back out onto the field.
@Pitt_FB is back with @JamesConner_ leading the charge! #ConnerStrong #H2P pic.twitter.com/fAk0DEK1tz
— Pitt Panthers (@Pitt_ATHLETICS) September 3, 2016
The emotionally uplifting score came midway through the second quarter, and was the first score of the season for the Panthers.
When is a TD worth MORE than 6 points?
When you're #ConnerStrong 💪
Welcome back, @JamesConner_. #H2P pic.twitter.com/Y963XJMkgu
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 3, 2016
Conner ended his game with 17 rushing attempts for 53 yards and three receptions for 16 yards and a receiving touchdown in a 28-7 victory. After the game, Conner received some words of encouragement from around the football world.
Congrats to my boy @JamesConner_ u deserve everything coming you way ! Llama a Dios
— AB (@AB84) September 3, 2016
@JamesConner_ he's back proud of you bro true inspiration.
— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II) September 3, 2016
.@JamesConner_ keep doing what you do sir, we are proud! #H2P
— Larry Fitzgerald (@LarryFitzgerald) September 3, 2016
If your not a @JamesConner_ fan then you're not a human! Been thru a lot but accomplishing even more! congrats on the 1st TD #keepthriving
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) September 3, 2016
Conner’s story is everything that’s good about college football and sports in general and we’re hoping this is only
[ACC]
