Pitt's Conner cancer-free and back with Panthers

PITTSBURGH — James Conner doesn’t care where he plays, how he plays or how much he plays, he just wants to play football.

That was the driving force behind the Pitt redshirt junior running back’s six-month recovery from Hodgkin lymphoma, and toward that end, he joined his teammates Monday in the Panthers’ first day of training camp.

Conner was diagnosed in November but continued training and working out during his chemotherapy, even participating in spring practices with a surgical mask to protect his weakened immune system. In May, was declared cancer free by his medical team.

Throughout, the goal was to get back on the football field.

“Being out there with my teammates who competed all summer with me and who stuck by my side through my whole journey, it’s just awesome to be back,” Conner said after completing his first practice.

Visit Vindy.com later and read Tuesday's Vindicator sports section for complete details.