Former Pitt RB Ready to Make Homecoming

Former Pitt Panthers running back James Conner still has love for his hometown.

PITTSBURGH -- He's an Erie native, former Pitt Panthers superstar and a draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers and now James Conner is returning to Western Pennsylvania as the enemy when his Arizona Cardinals visit the venue formerly known as Heinz Field this weekend. 

Conner cherishes his time in Pittsburgh and at Pitt, during which he cemented his name as a school and regional legend through his fantastic play within the lines and his courage outside of them. He's excited to embrace the love he still feels for the Steel City. 

“I feel the love,” Conner said. “There is a lot of love in the city. I got a lot of respect for the people there. I was dealing with all types of injuries and cancer and the Steelers still selected me. I’m forever grateful for that. The University of Pittsburgh was one of the few schools that gave me a scholarship. I got nothing but love for the people. It’s all love.”

Conner ended his time at Pitt as the ACC's all-time touchdown leader, second all-time in school history in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns and third in points scored. He was a two-time All-ACC selection both before and after his cancer diagnosis in 2015, and the 2014 ACC Player of the Year. 

He proved he can play after the Steelers selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, rushing for 2,302 yards and 22 touchdowns over four seasons. And after he moved on from Pittsburgh at the end of his rookie contract, Conner has flourished with the Cardinals, amassing 2,060 yards and 24 touchdowns while starting 27 games over three seasons. 

This weekend, he'll return to the city that took his football career to new heights, a place Conner has reverence and appreciation for. 

“It’s a special place, starting back in college at the same stadium,” Conner said. “As soon as I graduated high school, then right down to training camp. A special, special place for sure.”

But the former Panthers and Steelers star has a job to do. His Cardinals are trying to earn a win. Conner is comfortable in his new home and appreciates his old one, but will be laser-focused as he tries to take down the Steelers. 

“I’m just going to come to play,” Conner said. “I’m just going to be me, truthfully. It’s been three years now. If it was the following year, there would be more to it. I’ve been a Cardinal for a while now. Just going to play my game, do what I do and try to put my best on the field.”

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