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"Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever" (Armstrong). Nowadays heroes are idolised for athletic achievements or their roles in our favorite movies and sitcoms. While James Conner could be hailed a hero for his athletic achievements, he could also be recognized for his off the field triumphs. James Earl Conner was born May 5, 1995 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He played football for his high school and excelled as a running back and earned a full ride scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh where he won all American honors. His junior year season was derailed by a diagnosis of a rare form of cancer called Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He endured 12 chemo therapy treatments and missed the entirety of that football season. James came back for his senior year where he once again excelled and earned himself a spot on the Pittsburgh Steelers. A hero is someone who works hard, doesn't give up and is extremely selfless. James Conner is more than a football player, he is a man with determination and grit, a cancer survivor, and a selfless human being. James Conner is a hero.
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Grit is the ability to push through hard times and never give up. When James Connor was diagnosed with life threatening cancer he knew that the journey ahead was a long and grueling one. In a 2016 interview he said, "Treatment six didn't just stop me in my tracks, it took me down for a loss" (Conner). James is detailing the struggle that came about as a result of his sixth treatment, he describes it as the hardest battle he's endured. This is an example of grit because he wouldn't give up, the cancer was destroying his body but it wouldn't stop his fight. James also showed grit and determination because he would participate in team practice after his chemo treatments, "When I began working out with the team again in January, I had to wear a surgeon's mask" (Conner). James Conner had just finished a chemotherapy treatment and used what little energy he had remaining to practice. James wasn't going to let his predicament stop him from playing football. James Conner is a man with determination and grit because he wouldn't let anything stop his dreams.
James Conner doesn't act like a selfless person, it is just the values that have been instilled in him since childhood. When James received Disney's spirit award he dedicated it to others, "There's people fighting and they don't get this, they don't receive any awards when they win and if they win, and so this is for all of us" (James Conner accepts Disney Spirit award). James is saying that he doesn't deserve this, he is saying that the people who don't get recognized for beating cancer do. James is selfless because he doesn't want the credit or fame and truly believes the credit should be given to those without a voice. Another example of his selflessness is when he first was told of his diagnosis, "I didn't want to ruin anyone's holiday" (Conner). James was diagnosed with cancer the week of Thanksgiving and he didn't want to tell his family. James's selflessness was proven in that quote because he suffered through the holiday knowing that his diagnosis would wreck the family, but he wanted them to be happy. James Conner is a selfless human being because he uses his voice to advocate for others and he does whatever he can to protect his family.
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James Conner is a hero because he hasn't and will never give up and he is selfless human being. James never gave up on his dreams and never stopped working, he stayed real and always showed other people respect. I am inspired by James Conner because his story has showed me that my struggles are always overcomable and he has shown me that even at my height highs, I must stay humble and keep true to my values. The title of hero is often given to people for the wrong reasons, however, James Earl Conner deserves that title. He is a hero.
Works Cited
"Pitt Recognizes Student-Athletes at Annual Senior Awards Banquet." James Conner Bio - Pitt Football - PittsburghPanthers.com - Official Athletic Site of the University of Pittsburgh, www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/james_conner_852927.html. Accessed 5 May 2017.
Conner, James. "Nothing Is Guaranteed | By James Conner." The Players Tribune, The Players' Tribune, Inc., 25 July 2016, www.theplayerstribune.com/james-conner-pittsburgh-college-football-cancer/. Accessed 5 May 2017.
Fowler, Jeremy. "Steelers Draft Hometown Hero, Cancer Survivor James Conner." ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 29 Apr. 2017, www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19269511/pittsburgh-steelers-draft-cancer-survivor-rb-james-conner. Accessed 5 May 2017.
"James Conner Accepts Disney Sports Spirit Award in Moving Ceremony at College Football Awards." Disney Sports News, disneysportsnews.com/releases/2016/12/09/james-conner-accepts-disney-sports-spirit-award-in-moving-ceremony-at-college-football-awards/. Accessed 5 May 2017.
Armstrong, Lance. "Quotes About Cancer (369 Quotes)." (369 Quotes), www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/cancer. Accessed 9 May 2017.
Page created on 5/21/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last edited 5/21/2017 12:00:00 AM
