National Football League

Pittsburgh Steelers land Pitt star James Conner, who beat cancer, in third round

Published Apr. 29, 2017 12:10 a.m. ET

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Barry Werner

The AFC North provided the sweetest selection as the NFL Draft continued through its second day on Friday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the heartfelt choice -- one that will be hard-pressed to top Saturday -- when they chose Pitt's James Conner with the 105th overall pick, a third-round compensatory selection.

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/858163437049966592

Connor rushed for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns as a sophomore but suffered a knee injury in Pitt's opener in 2015. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with cancer, Stage 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Conner beat the cancer and returned to star for the Panthers in 2016, gaining 1,092 yards on the ground and scoring 20 touchdowns overall.

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/858165884384419841

https://twitter.com/C_AdamskiTrib/status/858166276136591360

Conner was welcomed into the fold quickly by teammate-to-be Cam Heyward.

https://twitter.com/CamHeyward/status/858163063039643654

Another former Pitt star and current Arizona Cardinal great, Larry Fitzgerald chimed in, too.

https://twitter.com/LarryFitzgerald/status/858163988080861184

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