Steelers News: James Conner not concerned with post-cancer and COVID-19 threat

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 NFL Draft is officially over. After finishing last year 8-8, the Steelers, and their vast fan base, have another long offseason awaiting them. Just because the games are done doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how James Conner, a cancer survivor, is not afraid of the scare of COVID-19 and his current immune system.

Let’s get to the news:

• James Conner is in a unique health situation, as a cancer survivor, and he is well aware, but not scared, of the coronavirus.

Steelers RB, cancer survivor James Conner ‘not concerned’ about playing in covid-19 age

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

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 2016 that successfully helped him beat Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At the time, Conner was considered immunocompromised. But Conner told podcast host Adam Schefter that, at present, playing football in the world of coronavirus leaves him nothing to have any heightened concern.

“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.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• This isn’t good...

Tim Benz: A link between the Rooney Rule and the NFL Draft is bad. What it says about the league is worse.

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The NFL’s plan to expand the Rooney Rule is bad.

The commentary the league is making about itself for even considering such a proposal is even worse.

The NFL has only four minority head coaches (Mike Tomlin, Steelers; Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins; Anthony Lynn, Los Angeles Chargers; and Ron Rivera, Washington Redskins) and two minority general managers (the Dolphins’ Chris Grier and the Cleveland Browns’ Andrew Berry).

On Tuesday, the league will consider a plan to incentivize organizations to hire minority candidates to fill vacancies at those positions by moving them up in the draft.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• A special day for Steelers Nation.

The day it all began for the Steelers

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

May 19, 1933

This day in Steelers history

The process had to begin somewhere, and for Art Rooney Sr. it all began on May 19, 1933.

It was on that day that Rooney’s application for a National Football League franchise was granted, and the Pittsburgh Professional Football Club, Inc. joined the NFL in exchange for a fee of $2,500.

The team would become official on July 8, 1933, but it was this day in May, 1933 where it all started.

Below is an excerpt from the NFL Newsletter written by then league President Joe Carr, making the announcement to the other teams in the NFL of the addition of a team in Pittsburgh.

“The application of the Pittsburgh Professional Football Club Inc., accompanied by a check for Twenty-Five Hundred ($2,500.00) Dollars is on file in the office of the President. I have already received the unanimous approval of the Executive Committee for this application that will come before the July meeting for ratification by the entire membership.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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