When Pittsburgh running back James Conner was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the end of the 2015 season, he decided that he would not let the disease stand in the way of achieving his dreams. While the former 2014 ACC Player of the Year was still rehabbing a torn ACL he suffered in the season-opener, Conner began his chemotherapy treatment.
Shortly after his diagnosis went public, Conner received a special message from former Clemson pitcher Clate Schmidt. While Conner’s life had been flooded with support, Schmidt’s story proved to be just the inspiration the Pitt star needed to get back on the field.