Former Steelers 2-Pro Bowl Star Faces Retirement Risk as Hodgkin Lymphoma Returns

Pittsburgh, PA – May 9, 2025. A beloved former Pittsburgh Steelers star faces a heart-wrenching battle, as a devastating health setback threatens to end his NFL career. The running back, a two-time Pro Bowl standout, has been struck by the recurrence of a life-threatening illness, casting a shadow over his inspiring journey.

James Conner, who captivated Steeler Nation from 2017 to 2020, received a grim diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma relapse, sources close to the player revealed. The 29-year-old, now with the Arizona Cardinals, first conquered the disease in 2015 while at Pitt, defying a one-week prognosis to become a third-round draft pick.

Conner’s initial battle with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma, marked by grueling chemotherapy, inspired fans across the NFL. His 2018 Pro Bowl season, with 973 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, and a 2023 Pro Bowl nod with Arizona, where he ran for 1,040 yards, cemented his legacy as a warrior on and off the field.

The relapse, detected after recent medical tests, comes on the heels of a 2024 season where Conner ran for 1,094 yards and eight touchdowns despite a knee injury. With a two-year, $19 million contract through 2026, his future with the Cardinals now hangs in the balance.

Pittsburgh’s faithful, still reeling from Conner’s 2021 departure, flooded X with support, recalling his 2,302 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns as a Steeler. The team’s 2025 draft, featuring running back Kaleb Johnson, offers depth, but Conner’s potential exit resonates deeply in the Steel City.

Arizona, led by Jonathan Gannon, faces roster uncertainty, with Trey Benson poised to step up if Conner’s treatment sidelines him. The Cardinals’ $8 million cap space allows flexibility, but the emotional toll of losing their star looms large after his triumphant return from cancer a decade ago.

Fan reactions on Reddit highlight Conner’s impact, with Steeler Nation and Cardinals supporters uniting in prayers for his recovery. His fight, chronicled in a 2021 book, Fear Is a Choice, continues to inspire, but the specter of retirement weighs heavily on a career defined by resilience.

As Conner confronts this daunting challenge, the NFL community rallies behind him. Whether he battles back or steps away, his legacy as a fighter endures, leaving an indelible mark on Pittsburgh, Arizona, and beyond, with fans holding hope for another miracle.