James Conner might be the only member of the Pittsburgh Steelers who has worn a surgical mask while doing football workouts long before anyone heard of covid-19.
But Conner’s status as a cancer survivor is causing him zero additional anxiety and puts him at no additional risk if and when the NFL resumes operations amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the Steelers running back said on an ESPN podcast released Tuesday.
Conner underwent chemotherapy treatments in late 2015 and early ’16 that helped him beat Hodgkin lymphoma. At the time, Conner was considered immunocompromised. But Conner told podcast host Adam Schefter, at present, playing football in the world of coronavirus leaves him no heightened concerns.
“Honestly, it truly doesn’t,” Conner said. “I am so far removed from (cancer treatments) — I am going on four years now — so just talking with my doctor, I have great relationship with him, Dr. (Stanley) Marks, he said, ‘You don’t have anything to worry about as far your immune system or any of that.’ I am far removed, and our bodies are constantly healing and changing. So I have no concerns with that.
“I am still keeping (social) distance and all that, just like everyone should and is doing. But as far as my health history, there’s nothing I’m concerned about.”
Steelers’ RB James Conner, whose contract is up after this season, said it would be hard to leave Pittsburgh.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 19, 2020
? https://t.co/L1auFqRAo9
Conner was diagnosed late during his 2015 season at Pitt, where he was the 2014 ACC Player of the Year. When Conner first returned to workouts with teammates the next spring, he wore a surgical mask on the fields at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Conner said he is following government guidelines for social distancing and wearing masks to indoor public places. But when it comes to football — after the green light is given by government officials and health experts, of course — he intends to participate the same way his teammates do.
Conner’s outlook seems to contradict what was said on Schefter’s podcast by NFL Players Association medical director Dr. Thom Mayer.
“Anybody who’s got a risk, I would advise them to be zealous, religious and, frankly, almost maniacally committed to minimizing the chance of spreading the virus,” Mayer told Schefter.
“For a player (at risk), getting the helmet off, putting a mask on right afterward, maintaining social distancing when not in the field as much as possible, using single-use hydration — whether water, Gatorade, whatever it might be — I mean, just every little detail …”
Mayer told Schefter the NFL and apparel company Oakley were working on developing modified face masks that might contain surgical or N95 material.
Despite chemotherapy, Pitt's James Conner joins teammates for workouts, via @JDiPaola_Trib https://t.co/DeyZizcvYz pic.twitter.com/p5ubrJuJHy
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) February 26, 2016
Conner emphasized he is taking covid-19 concerns seriously, and everyone else should. But he also is highly reluctant to alter his in-game routine too much.
“I don’t disagree with any of (Mayer’s) points,” Conner said, “but we’ve been playing the game a long time, taking helmets off and (drinking) Gatorade and all that, it’s been like for years. It’s going to be hard to focus on (precautions) while we are in the moment out on the field.”
Conner said modified procedures for practice and play that could protect from the spread of covid-19 have been discussed in Steelers team meetings.
“But I am so far removed from (cancer),” he said. “I’ve been playing football and having everyone together (in close proximity) in that atmosphere, our bodies get immune to it. We’re going to keep it safe. I don’t disagree with what (Mayer) said, but me, I am not worried.
“Honestly, I don’t want to downplay (precautions being taken) and have people think I don’t think it’s an issue or anything. I just believe we’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing and think that our bodies are meant to go through things and overcome it and just get immune to things such as that.
“I just want everybody to stay safe, but I’m not too concerned.”
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