To this point in his career, Conner has taken the field in 107 games and has accumulated 5,970 yds on the ground. He’s been handed the ball 1,361 times for an average of 4.4 yards per attempt. He’s averaging 55.8 yds per game and has gotten into the endzone 59 times on the ground. Conner has coughed up the ball 4 different times in his career.
He has been handed the ball 236 different times to the tune of 4.6 yards per attempt. In his 16 games played this season, James Conner is averaging 68.4 yards per game and has scored 8 times on the ground. His longest run this year is 53 yds.
In the realm of professional football, James Conner leaves a lasting impression not only with his exceptional skills but also with his resilience and determination. Born on May 5, 1995, the Pennsylvania-raised player has overcome cancer at a young age, transforming into a powerful force to be reckoned with in the NFL.
James Conner’s football journey began in earnest during his time at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. The lifelong Steelers fan excelled on both offense and defense, earning the position of team captain and garnering multiple honors throughout his high school career. He then continued his ductile journey by joining the University of Pittsburgh for his college years.
At the University of Pittsburgh, Conner tasted success yet again, posting impressive numbers over the course of three seasons. In his junior year, he became the ACC all-time leading rusher, making a name for himself within the college football world. Before being drafted, Conner got diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, which led him to take a break from football to undergo treatment. His resilience was evident when, after just nine months of intense chemotherapy, he was declared cancer-free, further proving that his desire to play football was unwavering.
Hoping to translate his extraordinary college career into the professional football arena, James Conner was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017 as their third-round pick. As fate would have it, the hometown boy was playing for his favorite team. Conner played as a backup running back during his rookie season but he made the most of his opportunities in 2018 when he took over the starting role.
Within his 2018 season, Conner displayed an incredible ability to find the endzone, running for 12 touchdowns and amassing over 1,400 yards from scrimmage ย a remarkable feat considering the shortened season due to an injury. Furthermore, he proved himself to be a reliable receiver, contributing another 497 yards receiving.
Similarly, in the wake of an injury-hit 2019 season where he played in just 10 games, James Conner managed to turn his adversity into an opportunity for growth. An aspiring leader, he gelled well with younger talent, earning him the respect and admiration of both teammates and coaches.
Beyond his impressive numbers on the field, James Conner’s story resonates with fans due to his incredible journey from being a promising high school athlete to overcoming cancer and eventually thriving in the NFL. His resilience and unwavering passion for the sport serve as a testament to his unique character.
As we look forward to a bright future for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the league as a whole, we can’t help but wonder what more James Conner has to offer. His journey is far from over, and we eagerly await the next chapter in his career. A chapter that is likely to be filled with more milestones, touchdowns, and a deeper connection with his team and fans alike.