Last night, college football handed out its annual awards ahead of Monday, December 12′s Heisman announcement. From
Player of the Year to Holder of the Year, no one was more captivating than Spirit Award winner and All-American Pittsburgh running back James Conner. After rushing for over 2,500 yards in his first two years at Pittsburgh, Connor was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma shortly after suffering a knee injury early in his junior-year season. Determined to beat his illness and return to the field for his senior year, Connor bounced back in an amazing way this year, leading his team to the Pinstripe Bowl with nearly 1,400 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns. As a result of his inspirational return, college football awarded the 21-year-old the Disney Spirit Award. Watch the emotional video above where fellow cancer survivors and ESPN personalities Shelley Smith and Holly Rowe hand Connor his well-deserved accolade.
