Virginia Tech Hokies

Pittsburgh's James Conner to receive Brian Piccolo Award amid mixed emotions

Published Dec. 9, 2016 12:45 p.m. ET

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Barry Werner

James Conner's inspirational return to Pitt football after overcoming cancer has been one of the best stories in college football. The running back will add another page to his story on Saturday.

The senior will be honored with the Brian Piccolo Award as the ACC hands out its hardware before the championship game between Virginia Tech and Clemson in Orlando.

The Piccolo Award has special meaning because it is given annually to the "most courageous" player in the conference.

It has been awarded since 1970, when the former Wake Forest and Chicago Bears player lost his battle with cancer.

Piccolo was the ACC Player of the Year as a Demon Deacon in 1965.

His life was famously chronicled in the movie "Brian's Song," which included some of the most famous scenes in sports movie history when Gale Sayers told his Bears teammates of Piccolo's illness. The Hall of Famer also delivered a touching speech at a ceremony awarding him the George S. Halas Award, named for the late Bears owner.

The week, however, brings mixed emotions for Conner, the Panthers and the entire Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania community.

DiMantae Bronaugh, a player at Aliquippa High, died on Tuesday after a year-long battle with lymphoblastic leukemia.

Bronaugh rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2014 before taking ill prior to the 2015 season.

Conner tweeted about the loss of Bronaugh.

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