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Book chronicles life of WPIAL, Pitt, Steelers star James Conner | TribLIVE.com
Steelers/NFL

Book chronicles life of WPIAL, Pitt, Steelers star James Conner

Chris Adamski
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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Steelers running back James Conner poses with a fan Friday, Aug. 2, 2019 2019 at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium.

There haven’t been too many athletes who have starred in the WPIAL, for Pitt and for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then again, there haven’t been too many standouts at any of those levels who are arguably just as renowned for battling cancer.

James Conner’s story is chronicled in a book released earlier this fall from publisher Lake 7 Creative.

Author Larry Schardt’s 112-page paperback, “James Conner: The triumphs of a football hero,” takes readers through Conner’s youth in Erie, his high school career at Erie McDowell, his recruitment to Pitt as a defensive end, the switch to running back, ascension to ACC player of the year – and, of course, Conner overcoming Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Conner getting drafted by the Steelers and his status as a Pro Bowler during his first season as a starter only added to his legacy in Pittsburgh. Conner embraces his status as a cancer survivor in providing inspiration to others, as he exhibited last week in surprising a man who has been diagnosed with a rare untreatable cancer by meeting him on the Heinz Field sideline prior to a Steelers game.

Shardt’s book is targeted to teens and adults. It was named one of the 24 best sports biographies by bookauthority.org.

Conner was ruled out for Sunday’s Steelers game at the Arizona Cardinals because of a shoulder injury.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.

Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.

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Categories: Sports | Steelers/NFL
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