Pitt Football

Watch: James Conner Accepts The Disney Spirit Award

Published

7 years ago

December 9, 2016

It was an emotional scene last night at the ESPN College Football Awards as Pitt running back James Conner accepted the Disney Spirit Award from fellow cancer survivors Holly Rowe and Shelly Smith.

The award is given annually to college football’s most inspirational individual or team.

Conner, whose battle with, and recovery from, cancer has been well documented, was able to beat the disease and, remarkably, get back on the football field all in the same year.

Conner piled up over 1,000 yards and scored 20 touchdowns, as he helped Pitt to an 8-4 record and an invitation to the Pinstripe Bowl.

You can watch the entire presentation below.

(Make sure you grab a box of kleenex first.)

Atlanta, GA – December 7, 2016 – College Football Hall of Fame: James Conner of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers during the 2016 College Football Awards Player Tours (Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)

Atlanta, GA – December 8, 2016 – College Football Hall of Fame: Portrait of College Football Awards winner of the Disney Spirit Award, James Conner of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers and Faron Kelley (Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)

Atlanta, GA – December 8, 2016 – College Football Hall of Fame: Shelley Smith, James Connor of the University of Pittsburght Panthers and Holly Rowe on the Red Carpet for the College Football Awards (Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)

Atlanta, GA – December 8, 2016 – College Football Hall of Fame: The 2016 College Football Awards (Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)

Atlanta, GA – December 8, 2016 – College Football Hall of Fame: James Conner of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers and Tom Rinaldi during the 2016 College Football Awards (Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)