Sitting next to his vast collection of trophies and plaques, James Conner also proudly displays a surgical mask. The mask is a symbolic reminder of his challenge as well as his ability to work through it. This was the mask he would wear when he would show up to work out despite being in the middle of a chemotherapy regiment.

The doctor who treated Conner, Dr. Stanley Marks, stated "The day after, many patient spend it taking it easy...He would go workout. I emphasized the importance of staying active but he took it to an extreme." Conner remains determined, explaining he plans to continue to keep up with his teammates both on the field and in the weight room and refusing to let cancer be a reason to be anything than the best he can be.

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