Steelers News: James Conner made the choice never to fear cancer

It has been a one-of-a-kind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. Unable to attend most player pro days and participating in the NFL’s first virtual draft, the Steelers keep pushing forward toward a return to football activities. Just because the Steelers are unable to hold their typical OTA’s 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 James Conner living out the title of his Book “Fear is Not a Choice.”

Let’s get to the news:

• James Conner’s choice to not fear his cancer diagnosis still drives him today

Fear was never a choice for Conner

By: Bob Labriola, Steelers.com

“Fear is a choice. I choose not to fear cancer.”

Those were the words James Conner uttered when the University of Pittsburgh football standout made his diagnosis with Hodgkin lymphoma public in 2015.

And those were words he lived by.

Conner never wavered from that. Always standing strong against every obstacle that came his way. And there were many. But he didn’t let them get him down, didn’t let them discourage him.

He has told his story since overcoming the battle with cancer, talking about it freely on numerous occasions. But he has never shared it in the manner he did recently.

Conner opened up like never before, sharing his story and providing inspiration for others in his newly released memoir, ‘Fear is a Choice: Tackling Life’s Challenges with Dignity, Faith, and Determination.’

“It’s been unbelievable,” said Conner. “I feel like God keeps surprising me with things. Now to be able to call myself a published author I don’t take it for granted. I am so blessed and fortunate. I can’t believe it’s here. A lot of hard work went into making this book possible. Now it’s here and to hear all of the positive feedback is amazing.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The NFL asks teams to limit access to certain areas by using a tiered system

Memo: NFL creates tiers of access in facilities to manage coronavirus

By: Adam Schefter, ESPN

With training camps scheduled to begin next month, the NFL is mandating that each team develop an Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) plan that sets forth the team’s protocols for containing an outbreak of the coronavirus, according to a memo sent to all teams obtained by ESPN.

The memo mandates that teams divide their organizations into “tiers” that define where personnel can go and what they can do. The tiers are designed to limit access to restricted areas such as the practice and stadium fields, sidelines, locker room and training rooms to essential personnel only. Teams must assign tiers to all their employees, who wear a tiered photograph credential to spell out their access.

NFL teams have spent recent days trying to figure out who to place in what tier, according to league sources. NFL teams must designate their Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 employees and turn the plans into the league office seven days before the first mandatory reporting date for players for the 2020 NFL season. No one quite knows when that reporting date will be, but 26 teams are scheduled to begin training camp July 28.

There already have been heated discussions within teams as to who ends up in which tier, sources told ESPN, as the teams’ personnel try to cement their positions in the protocol.

Each team’s IDER will be subject to review and approval by the NFL, NFLPA and the Infection Control for Sports, formerly known as the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network.

Each list must include the individual’s first name, last name, title, role and requested access tier. The NFL then will review the lists and either approve or require revisions. Any proposed change to a club’s list must be submitted to, and approved by, the NFL.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Looking at the Steelers matchup in Jacksonville the weekend before Thanksgiving

Steelers 2020 Breakdown: Week 11, Jaguars

By: Jeff Hartman, DK Pittsburgh Sports

The Steelers’ history vs. the Jaguars is sordid. Fans who have been around a while can remember Fred Taylor and Mark Brunell making plays and beating the Steelers. Recently, it was the horrible loss in the 2017 playoffs, but games between these teams always seem to go down to the wire. Time to break down the Week 11 matchup between these AFC foes.

MATCHUP

Opponent: Jaguars
2019 Record: 6-10
Overall History (W/L): 14-12 for Jaguars
Last 4 Games: 2-2
Opening Line: Steelers (-6)
Date: Sunday, Nov. 22
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Jacksonville

OUTGOING PLAYERS/ FREE-AGENT LOSSES

T Cedric Ogbuehi
WR Marqise Lee
TE Nick O’Leary
TE Seth Devalve

RETIREMENTS

N/A

FREE-AGENT ADDITIONS

ILB Joe Scherbert
DE Rodney Gunter
TE Tyler Eifert
DT Al Woods
DE Cassius Marsh
QB Mike Glennon
RB Chris Thompson
CB Rashaan Melvin

PLAYERS VIA TRADE

Traded DE Calais Campbell to the Ravens for a 2020 fifth-round draft pick.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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Is 2020 the year Terrell Edmunds breaks out?

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