1 00:00:03,560 --> 00:00:06,920 Speaker 1: Everybody, Welcome to another edition of the Dave Pash Podcast. 2 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:11,240 Speaker 1: I'm your host ESPN and Arizona Cardinals broadcaster Dave Pash. 3 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:14,160 Speaker 1: We've had a lot of different guests, but mostly lately 4 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:17,079 Speaker 1: Cardinal guests with the season right around the corner, and 5 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:19,759 Speaker 1: we have a special guest this week, a guy that's 6 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:23,959 Speaker 1: been through so much personally and professionally that he's become 7 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 1: one of the great stories in the NFL, and that's 8 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 1: Cardinals Pro Bowl running back James Conner. We're gonna get 9 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: into James story, talk with him about being a cancer survivor. 10 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 1: He was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma back in twenty fifteen, 11 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 1: what it took to come back from that, what inspired 12 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:43,239 Speaker 1: him to then write a book about his story, his 13 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 1: great twenty twenty one season when he was among the 14 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:49,240 Speaker 1: NFL leaders and touchdowns and went to his second Pro Bowl, 15 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:52,680 Speaker 1: and whether he can repeat that in twenty twenty two. 16 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 1: That's that's the standard. My mentality is do what he 17 00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 1: did last year and then so we'll also get into 18 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: his new contract, the running back room, in his relationship 19 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:04,959 Speaker 1: with college teammate Aaron Donald, who's obviously one of the 20 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 1: best players in the history of the NFL. A lot 21 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:10,080 Speaker 1: to talk about with James Conner, and we're going to 22 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:12,280 Speaker 1: discuss it all here over the next thirty minutes. We 23 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: are presented by BETMGM, the official sports betting partner of 24 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:19,400 Speaker 1: the Arizona Cardinals, and by Hila River Hotels and Casinos. 25 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 1: Get ready for football season like never before with bet MGM, 26 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:26,759 Speaker 1: an official partner of the Arizona Cardinal. Sign up today 27 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 1: using code cards one thousand and get your first bet 28 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:33,759 Speaker 1: risk free up to one thousand dollars. Visit betmgm dot 29 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:37,160 Speaker 1: com for terms and conditions twenty one and over Arizona only. 30 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 1: Please gamble responsibly. Gambling problem called one eight hundred. Next 31 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:44,959 Speaker 1: step All right, time to hear from our guest this week, 32 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl running back for the Arizona Cardinals, James Conner. Well, James, 33 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:56,160 Speaker 1: you have such an incredible story personally, professionally, and I 34 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:59,400 Speaker 1: want to get into all that, but let's start first 35 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:03,400 Speaker 1: with football. You signed a contract in the off season 36 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 1: to stay here for multiple years. First of all, what 37 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 1: did it mean to you to get that contract after 38 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:12,160 Speaker 1: coming here last year for the one year deal? And 39 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:14,519 Speaker 1: why did you want to stay here with the Cardinals 40 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 1: it meant a lot to come back and you know, 41 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 1: get locked in for three more years. I just wanted 42 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:21,960 Speaker 1: to continue to build on what I did last year. 43 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:24,239 Speaker 1: And I kind of feel like what I had started, 44 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:25,519 Speaker 1: you know when I came here last year, I just 45 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 1: feel like I had a fresh start, you know, felt 46 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:29,239 Speaker 1: brand new, like I said, and so I just wanted 47 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:31,079 Speaker 1: to continue to build on that. And so it meant 48 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:32,960 Speaker 1: a lot just to have a team believing you, you know, 49 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 1: believing your talents and the person you are and so 50 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:39,119 Speaker 1: um yeah, and then just I feel like this organization 51 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:41,760 Speaker 1: has everything we need to be successful. You know, everybody 52 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 1: in the building, everybody's on the same page, and we're 53 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:46,520 Speaker 1: just you know, working day in and day out just 54 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: to build something special here, and I just want to 55 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:50,680 Speaker 1: be a part of it. So yeah, it's just nice 56 00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:53,359 Speaker 1: to have that. People leaving you. Obviously, you had played 57 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 1: in other cities, so it's not like you only played 58 00:02:55,440 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 1: in Pennsylvania, but you were in Pennsylvania for your life. 59 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:01,919 Speaker 1: So and my wife spent a lot of her childhood 60 00:03:01,919 --> 00:03:05,280 Speaker 1: and Lower Burrow, so very familiar with the Pittsburgh area. 61 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:07,360 Speaker 1: And I know you were born an Erie, which is 62 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 1: north of Pittsburgh, but living here and being in the desert, 63 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:13,400 Speaker 1: how different is it for you? Uh yeah, it's a 64 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 1: lot different, just the scenes, the views, all that, the mountains, 65 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 1: the human the heat, the dry heat. Yeah, um yeah, 66 00:03:21,240 --> 00:03:23,919 Speaker 1: it's a lot different. But um, I think I needed 67 00:03:23,919 --> 00:03:25,840 Speaker 1: it for my growth as a person, you know, just 68 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:29,080 Speaker 1: to come out here, coming across the country, be on 69 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 1: my own and just uh just focused straight on football 70 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:34,639 Speaker 1: and just have new surroundings and all that. So I 71 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 1: just felt like it was it was something needed for 72 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 1: my growth as a person. And so yeah, obviously the 73 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: desert is a lot different than Pennsylvania. Um, but I 74 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 1: feel like I adapted well, I got embraced and uh 75 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 1: still rolling with it. And you know, it's nothing but 76 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:48,800 Speaker 1: love ever since. And you're a big family yet, right, 77 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:50,960 Speaker 1: So absolutely was it hard for you to be that 78 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 1: far away? At times? It was? But um, you know 79 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 1: it was that just came out here, you know it 80 00:03:56,800 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 1: strictly business, you know, and uh and I just wanted 81 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: to see it. I love I love to travel. Even 82 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 1: though I'm huge on family, I still love to travel 83 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:05,480 Speaker 1: and experienced and see different things around the world. So 84 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 1: for me to come out here was it was totally 85 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 1: different and now. It gives my family opportunity, you know, 86 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 1: to come to games and to travel and for them 87 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 1: to experience something new and see new scenes and the 88 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 1: mountains and go for a hike, you know, and just 89 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,839 Speaker 1: just try new things. So it was needed for my growth. 90 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: You had such an incredible year. How much of because look, 91 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:28,200 Speaker 1: you had been to the Pro Bowl before. In twenty eighteen, 92 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 1: you had fifty five catches. I know everybody talked a 93 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:32,760 Speaker 1: lot about your receiving last year, but it's not like 94 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 1: you had improven yourself as a receiver. You did that 95 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 1: in twenty eighteen. How much of your mindset last year 96 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 1: was I want to prove to everybody who I am, 97 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:46,240 Speaker 1: what kind of player I am. How much of it 98 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 1: was I'm just gonna do my thing, Like how much 99 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 1: do you think about that when you're in a contract year, 100 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:54,599 Speaker 1: when you're on a new team and people aren't sure 101 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 1: what the next step is for you. Everything was just 102 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:01,600 Speaker 1: based around a work and I feel like that's all 103 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 1: it was. I got some some some good role models 104 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 1: and people who who I can can come and talk to, 105 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 1: and they said, you know, you work hard, everything is 106 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:11,080 Speaker 1: gonna take care of yourself. And I feel like I 107 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:13,159 Speaker 1: had proved myself even when I was in Pittsburgh, So 108 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:16,840 Speaker 1: I never doubted myself as you know, as a football 109 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:18,280 Speaker 1: player or my talents. I always knew what I was 110 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:21,479 Speaker 1: capable of. So I just wanted to come in and 111 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:23,159 Speaker 1: work hard, to put my head down and just grind. 112 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:24,919 Speaker 1: And I knew that, um if I was you know, 113 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:27,280 Speaker 1: coming into shape. You know, I always trusting my hands, 114 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:30,040 Speaker 1: my running ability, my past protection, and so I kind 115 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 1: of was just looking for that opportunity, um and and 116 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:35,960 Speaker 1: the Cardinals gave me that opportunity, and so I just 117 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:37,680 Speaker 1: wanted to come in and uh, you know, I was 118 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 1: still rehabbing off of a foot injury and everything so 119 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 1: got tough at times, but I knew that was my 120 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 1: work ethic, um and the talent that I already had, 121 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:48,159 Speaker 1: you know, just make the most of my opportunities that 122 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 1: I had. I think of a one handed catch that 123 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: you made during the season, and you know everybody did 124 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 1: it bother you when people kept saying, oh way, I 125 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:58,719 Speaker 1: didn't know that James Connor had great hands, because again, 126 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 1: you had that year a few years ago where you 127 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:05,280 Speaker 1: caught you know, almost sixty passes. Yeah, that's every year 128 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:06,840 Speaker 1: that's going to continue to happen every year. If I 129 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:08,720 Speaker 1: make some nice catches this year, people are gonna be like, 130 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:10,080 Speaker 1: I didn't know he could catch like, you know, because 131 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:12,600 Speaker 1: not everybody pays attention, you know, But that's the game 132 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 1: of football, you know. You have to You have to 133 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:17,840 Speaker 1: prove yourself every day even of practicing, especially on game days. 134 00:06:17,839 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 1: You know, they they judge you on what you've done 135 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:22,279 Speaker 1: for him recently. So, um, you know, even though I 136 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:25,560 Speaker 1: caught passes years previous, you know, they not everybody was 137 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 1: paying attention to it. So you just have to come 138 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:29,160 Speaker 1: in and improve yourself every day. I'm still going to 139 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 1: try to prove myself even more in the passing game 140 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:33,560 Speaker 1: and the running game as a football player in general. 141 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:37,120 Speaker 1: So yeah, you just never stopped proving yourself in this league. 142 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:39,360 Speaker 1: You mentioned to me that there are some other guys 143 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 1: that you relied on, Guys that you would talk to. 144 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:45,720 Speaker 1: Who were some of those people in your life either 145 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 1: outside of football or other players that you speak with. Uh, 146 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:52,840 Speaker 1: my family for sure, you know, my family definitely. Um, 147 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:54,720 Speaker 1: they always you know, whether I want to hear it 148 00:06:54,839 --> 00:06:56,599 Speaker 1: or not, tell them telling me what I need to hear. 149 00:06:56,920 --> 00:07:00,840 Speaker 1: Um and just constantly instilling that confidence in me and 150 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:03,559 Speaker 1: just knowing what I'm capable of, and guys from around 151 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 1: the league, Um, you know, guys like Aaron Donald's the 152 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 1: guy from from Pitt that I got a chance to 153 00:07:07,839 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 1: play with, and you know, he talking to me and 154 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:12,760 Speaker 1: and just knowing he said, you know, you take care 155 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 1: of your football things. Everything else to take care of 156 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:17,200 Speaker 1: itself and stuff. So um, and that's one of the 157 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 1: hardest working guys I know. You know, so I just 158 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 1: kind of like following that league, following that hard work 159 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:25,160 Speaker 1: pays off phrase and mentality, and it's been working for me. 160 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 1: I remember doing some of your games for ESPN when 161 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 1: you and Aaron were both at pitt. First of all, 162 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:31,880 Speaker 1: I think at the time you might have been bigger 163 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 1: than Aaron. Well you're taller than for sure, yeah, yeah, yeah, 164 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:41,000 Speaker 1: and you played some defense. You were recruited to play 165 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 1: defense there. What was the most you weighed when you 166 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:46,680 Speaker 1: were at pet uh? The most, I wahed, I was 167 00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:49,840 Speaker 1: two sixty. I was two sixty at Pitt. Uh. That 168 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:53,200 Speaker 1: was my sophomore year twenty fourteen. Um, you know, I 169 00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:55,320 Speaker 1: was just I was happy to be there. Man. I 170 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:58,480 Speaker 1: was eating everything inside on training table and lifting heart 171 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 1: You know more than I was high school and my 172 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 1: body was still just growing, you know. So yeah, I 173 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:05,840 Speaker 1: got up to that um. But yeah, it's been awesome 174 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 1: to play alongside him. And yeah, got recruited as a 175 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:10,360 Speaker 1: defensive end coming out of high school. I went to 176 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: their prospect camp. They gave me a scholarship to play 177 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 1: defensive endum and I was going into my senior year 178 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 1: of high school. But then my senior year of high school, 179 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 1: that's uh, when I went to running back and then 180 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 1: coach Joe Rudolph that was at the University of Pittsburgh 181 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 1: at the time. He's at Wisconsin now, but he gave 182 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:27,880 Speaker 1: me a call before training camp and he said, when 183 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 1: you get here, we want to try you out a 184 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 1: running back instead of defensive ends. So that's kind of 185 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 1: how that that switched. I'm from Madison, so I've known 186 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:36,760 Speaker 1: Paul Chris forever and Joe rudolphs as you mentioned now 187 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:40,440 Speaker 1: at Wisconsin. Uh, how involved was Paul too, Like, Man, 188 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:42,440 Speaker 1: we gotta get this guy on offense. This guy's got 189 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:46,160 Speaker 1: a ridiculous talent. We can use him on offense. Yeah, 190 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:48,880 Speaker 1: that whole that whole staff, they were all just awesome 191 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:52,560 Speaker 1: with getting me to to come to the offensive side 192 00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:54,319 Speaker 1: of the ball, and you know, they all they loved 193 00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:57,560 Speaker 1: those big offensive linemen and that power running scheme, and uh, 194 00:08:57,679 --> 00:08:59,560 Speaker 1: they just felt I fit for that, you know, and 195 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:01,160 Speaker 1: I believeue I could fit for that too. You know, 196 00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:03,320 Speaker 1: running back was my first love. Defense kind of just 197 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:05,920 Speaker 1: happened late in high school. But I've been playing running 198 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 1: back since I first started playing football, you know, when 199 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:09,840 Speaker 1: I was ten years old, So that's what I wanted 200 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 1: to do. So yeah, they were all involved in getting 201 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:14,200 Speaker 1: me to, you know, coming the offensive side. Did you 202 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:17,440 Speaker 1: know being with Aaron Donald when he was that young, 203 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 1: that he would be this good? Because it wasn't like 204 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 1: the guy was a top five pick. And I think 205 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:26,080 Speaker 1: one of the reasons, obviously was the quote unquote measurables. Right, 206 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 1: he wasn't six five and twenty five pounds on the inside, 207 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:33,360 Speaker 1: but clearly he's one of the best defensive players ever, 208 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 1: right did you did you know that when you're around 209 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:38,960 Speaker 1: him in college? U. I seeing how he worked in college. 210 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:41,320 Speaker 1: I've seen flashes of it. You know, there's plays where 211 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:43,480 Speaker 1: he you know, remember when we were playing vers Duke. 212 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:45,440 Speaker 1: You know, he tackled the running back in the quarterback 213 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 1: at the same time, and you know verse Georgia Tech, 214 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 1: he took over that game. And in the Bowl game 215 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:52,040 Speaker 1: versus Bowling Green, he took over. So it's like you 216 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:55,200 Speaker 1: knew that he was dominant, but you just didn't know 217 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:57,680 Speaker 1: you know that he was going to be this good, 218 00:09:57,760 --> 00:09:59,640 Speaker 1: like he said, one of the best ever, so if 219 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 1: not the best ever. So yeah, that's just shows you 220 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 1: what that work ethic can do. But he definitely showed 221 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:08,679 Speaker 1: flashes of it. You'd mentioned earlier in camp that I 222 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:10,959 Speaker 1: think you said you were in dog shape? Was that 223 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:13,679 Speaker 1: the was that the quote? What exactly did you mean 224 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:15,640 Speaker 1: by that dogs shape? It's just, uh, you know, you 225 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:17,680 Speaker 1: dogs flat, they can just run. They can't run all 226 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:19,440 Speaker 1: the day. You know, it's hard. It's you really really 227 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:22,760 Speaker 1: see dogs get tired and so um, you know that's 228 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:24,719 Speaker 1: just my mentality is just to not be able to 229 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:26,319 Speaker 1: not getting tired out there on that field, be able 230 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:28,959 Speaker 1: to go four quarters over time if needed, and I'll 231 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:30,560 Speaker 1: just being able to run all day. What are you 232 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 1: weighing right now? It's fluctuating throughout camp. You know, sometimes 233 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:36,680 Speaker 1: I'm going but I'm still between two twenty five two 234 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:39,840 Speaker 1: thirty And is that what you were most of last year. Yeah, 235 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:42,839 Speaker 1: more at times, less at times. Um, you know, I 236 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 1: kind of just go off the field, go off how 237 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:47,120 Speaker 1: I'm feeling, you know, if I need more or need less. 238 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:49,640 Speaker 1: Do you think your role will be the same this 239 00:10:49,720 --> 00:10:52,440 Speaker 1: year or do you think now the chase the running 240 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:54,440 Speaker 1: back rooms pretty deep and I want to get into that. 241 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 1: But Chase Edmonds isn't here, So do you think that 242 00:10:57,679 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 1: your role will be different? I feel like similar to 243 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 1: last year's role, except um maybe you know more, more, 244 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 1: more or less in a running game or passing game. 245 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 1: I just want to be available first thing and be 246 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 1: able to just make the most of my touches, whether 247 00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:16,520 Speaker 1: that's in the running game or the passing game. So yeah, 248 00:11:16,559 --> 00:11:19,440 Speaker 1: my roller is just to bring intensity, bring aggression, run hard, 249 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:23,920 Speaker 1: be available, protect the quarterback, and be you know, get 250 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 1: open in the passing game. And so I feel like 251 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:27,480 Speaker 1: that's all my role, especially as a running back. So 252 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:31,080 Speaker 1: everything is on the list. Everybody talked last year when 253 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:34,720 Speaker 1: you got here about your leadership, uh, in just your presence. 254 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:37,400 Speaker 1: Are you a vocal guy? Are you somebody that holds 255 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 1: others accountable? Do you lead by example? What type of 256 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:42,200 Speaker 1: a leader are you? I feel like when if you're 257 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:44,960 Speaker 1: a leader. You have to have all those qualities. Be 258 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:48,600 Speaker 1: vocal when needed, lead by example when needed, pull a 259 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 1: guy off to the side, one on one if it's needed. Uh, 260 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 1: some everything, but just knowing the time in the place 261 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:55,600 Speaker 1: and when to do that and what to say. So 262 00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:58,760 Speaker 1: I kind of feel like, UM, I have experienced in 263 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,640 Speaker 1: all those categories. So UM, it's just when when it's needed. 264 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:04,320 Speaker 1: I'm sure you're probably tired of being asked this question 265 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:08,120 Speaker 1: because you've probably been asked by everybody. Oh, great numbers 266 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:12,199 Speaker 1: last year, eighteen touchdowns, fifteen rushing. Can you do it again? Uh? 267 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:16,160 Speaker 1: When you get asked that question, what's your reaction? Uh, 268 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:18,320 Speaker 1: you know that's like that's the standard. Um, you know 269 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:21,440 Speaker 1: you want to My mentality is, um, do what you 270 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:23,280 Speaker 1: did last year and then so you know, that's how 271 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:26,120 Speaker 1: you stay around in this league and continue to make play. 272 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 1: So the numbers, you know that eighteen touchdowns is awesome, 273 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 1: but I want to either match that or do more, 274 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 1: you know, for this upcoming season, and afeel like that 275 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:37,959 Speaker 1: will be a successful season. What do you think about 276 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 1: the running back room? A lot of people have talked 277 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 1: about Eno Benjamin being one of the most improved guys 278 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 1: from the end of the the last season too. Now what 279 00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:48,840 Speaker 1: do you see with Eno, Uh, I would agree with that, 280 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:52,079 Speaker 1: you know, definitely improved um And this is one of 281 00:12:52,120 --> 00:12:54,120 Speaker 1: the most talented running back rooms I've been a part of, 282 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:56,199 Speaker 1: you know, with him, jay Ward, Darryl and then all 283 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:59,239 Speaker 1: the three rookies, you know, t J, Ronnie and Keante 284 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:01,559 Speaker 1: and so well, all those guys men are eager to learn. 285 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:04,120 Speaker 1: They're listening, they're practicing really hard, which is good to see. 286 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:05,880 Speaker 1: That's how you that's how you do it. You know 287 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:07,679 Speaker 1: you pract that's hard, so the games can be easy. 288 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:10,520 Speaker 1: And so yeah, I would agree with that. These guys 289 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 1: are all compete and hard and all making plays, all 290 00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:18,040 Speaker 1: very capable, all great pass catchers run past blockers. So 291 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:20,720 Speaker 1: I'm excited to see that competition to continue to just 292 00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 1: play out. Is it is the running back position in 293 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:27,839 Speaker 1: Cliff's offense? Is it difficult to learn? I mean at 294 00:13:27,880 --> 00:13:29,920 Speaker 1: pitt you were in a pro style offense with Paul 295 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:33,600 Speaker 1: and in Pittsburgh with the Steelers, I assume mainly pro 296 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:37,560 Speaker 1: style offense, right, not as much spread with Roethlisberger as 297 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 1: you have here. What is it difficult to learn? The terminology? Uh? 298 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:44,679 Speaker 1: In the passing game or in terms of protections here 299 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:46,320 Speaker 1: or is it something you were able to pick up 300 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 1: on quickly. I feel like I picked it up pretty 301 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 1: quickly quickly. I'm still I'm still learning it, but uh, 302 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 1: I don't feel like it's difficult if you love it, 303 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:56,160 Speaker 1: you know, and I love a game, and so you 304 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,280 Speaker 1: have to adapt, you know, if I wanted to, you know, 305 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:00,680 Speaker 1: stay around in this league, I had to. And you know, 306 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:02,839 Speaker 1: I can't be worried about if offense is difficult to 307 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:05,280 Speaker 1: learn or not. I just need to learn it or else. 308 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:06,839 Speaker 1: You know, I wasn't gonna be on the field, So 309 00:14:07,640 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 1: that's just what it is. I like Cliff's offense, you know. 310 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:11,760 Speaker 1: It's also we have a whole bunch of weapons out there, 311 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:14,200 Speaker 1: and so I just gotta play my rolling. What do 312 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:16,400 Speaker 1: you think the offense will look like? And I know 313 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:20,560 Speaker 1: you can't get into specifics obviously, but in general, what 314 00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:23,080 Speaker 1: do you think without d Hop for those six games, 315 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 1: how do you think the offense might look different? How 316 00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 1: might your role or zach Ertz's role be different without 317 00:14:28,920 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 1: d Hop. I'm not sure how the roles will be different, 318 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:34,720 Speaker 1: But I just gotta continue to play my best football. 319 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 1: I know that, why, especially why while d Hop is 320 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 1: out for those six games, I'm just gonna have to 321 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 1: do what I can and to just move the ball 322 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:44,040 Speaker 1: offense to get a touchdowns and just try to do 323 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,920 Speaker 1: everything I can to win games. I know the receivers, 324 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 1: you know, they'll be ready there coached will, the running 325 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:51,120 Speaker 1: backs will be ready for coach well, and qbs will 326 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 1: be ready to their coach will. So everybody has to 327 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:55,520 Speaker 1: do their job and then when we get d Hop back, 328 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 1: we just gotta keep it rolling. Tell me something about 329 00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:00,160 Speaker 1: James Saxon. I know you guys are close. Obviously, he 330 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:02,880 Speaker 1: was with you in Pittsburgh. He's a running backs coach 331 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:06,440 Speaker 1: here with the Cardinals. Uh, what's that relationship like between 332 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:08,720 Speaker 1: the two of you in terms of on the field 333 00:15:08,760 --> 00:15:10,840 Speaker 1: and you know off the field too, If you guys 334 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 1: are you know that close off the field as well. Yeah, 335 00:15:13,560 --> 00:15:14,920 Speaker 1: I feel like, you know, me and coach have a 336 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 1: great relationship, especially with having history in the past. And man, 337 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:21,200 Speaker 1: he just coaches hard. He coaches hard, but that's because 338 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:23,239 Speaker 1: he wants the best for us, you know, And he's 339 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 1: played the position. He's been in our shoe before, he's 340 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 1: been through the grinds, of training camp, the grinds of 341 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 1: the season, and so he just teaches us what we 342 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 1: need to know and he knows we're capable, you know. 343 00:15:33,520 --> 00:15:36,080 Speaker 1: So he puts no expectations on us except for to 344 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:38,360 Speaker 1: play hard and play with effort, and that's all he 345 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 1: can ask for. And so, um, yeah, I just you know, 346 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:43,920 Speaker 1: I'm thankful for coach. You know, we got multiple Pro 347 00:15:43,960 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 1: Bowls together, and we want to we want to add 348 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 1: to that. We also just want to win. You know, 349 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:49,600 Speaker 1: he doesn't have no Super Bowls. I don't have no 350 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 1: Super Bowls, and so we just know that we can 351 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 1: control what we can control and that's what the message 352 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:56,520 Speaker 1: he preaches and for us to just do our job 353 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:59,320 Speaker 1: and do our job well. Another guy that has multiple 354 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:02,880 Speaker 1: Pro Bowls is Kyler Murray signed the contract extension. I 355 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 1: know Kyler hasn't been around much because you know, I 356 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:08,640 Speaker 1: got COVID, so wasn't around, uh, you know, a week 357 00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 1: two of a training camp. But if you noticed anything 358 00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:16,880 Speaker 1: in the time you've been around him, that's different from 359 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:21,160 Speaker 1: last year. I think his uh, his approach to me 360 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:22,920 Speaker 1: as always, he came to he always come to work 361 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:26,480 Speaker 1: and he's prepared. So um, if anything, he's just getting better, 362 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:29,760 Speaker 1: you know. And he's already super super talented. So um 363 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: even you know to Tom and he was there during 364 00:16:31,880 --> 00:16:34,040 Speaker 1: the OTAs you know, he's making some great passes and 365 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:37,120 Speaker 1: uh earlier this training camp, and so he's in shape, 366 00:16:37,160 --> 00:16:39,040 Speaker 1: you know, And that's the first part of his game 367 00:16:39,160 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 1: is is to be in shape, you know, because fatigue. 368 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 1: He can't play your best football if you're fatigued out there. So, um, yeah, 369 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 1: he's he's getting better. And that's a scary thing just 370 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:50,120 Speaker 1: because we know how talented he is. And so when 371 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:53,000 Speaker 1: he gets better, um, it's gonna be special. You played 372 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,040 Speaker 1: with one of the biggest quarterbacks in the league, took 373 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 1: to now one of the smallest. Both obviously very successful 374 00:16:57,840 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: and do it different ways. How is it when you're 375 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:04,080 Speaker 1: playing with a guy that you're taller than that you're 376 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:08,360 Speaker 1: bigger than at that position. Um, I really don't think 377 00:17:08,359 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: of it much, you notice, because I'm doing my job. 378 00:17:10,680 --> 00:17:13,400 Speaker 1: But man, his feet are incredible, you know, and so 379 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:15,640 Speaker 1: it's uh, I like it just because that's to keep 380 00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:18,640 Speaker 1: the defense honest, you know, especially anytime we are doing 381 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:21,920 Speaker 1: any readoption like like plays and whatnot. And so man, 382 00:17:21,920 --> 00:17:24,680 Speaker 1: he's capable of extending to play. We've seen him Tennessee 383 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:26,720 Speaker 1: last year, you know, running all over and the fielding 384 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:29,679 Speaker 1: them back and making something special happen. So, uh, you know, 385 00:17:29,800 --> 00:17:32,560 Speaker 1: it's it's hard over height, you know, for him. So 386 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:34,440 Speaker 1: we don't really pay attention to his size. We know 387 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:36,280 Speaker 1: he's gonna come to play. But it is interesting when 388 00:17:36,280 --> 00:17:38,800 Speaker 1: you watch, like you said, in a read option situation 389 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:40,720 Speaker 1: and it's the two of you back there. You know, 390 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:43,360 Speaker 1: when you're behind, you know, if you're in the tailback 391 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:46,960 Speaker 1: in the que position behind Ben Roethlisberger, it's maybe a 392 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 1: little bit easier to hide, even if your size. But 393 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 1: it is cool to kind of see the run game. 394 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 1: How do you think because I know that's something Cliff 395 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:57,800 Speaker 1: has talked about it. Coach Cooler has talked about last 396 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:00,240 Speaker 1: year things in the run game. Word is good second 397 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:02,440 Speaker 1: half of the season as they were in the first half. 398 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:05,359 Speaker 1: Why do you think that is? And what are some 399 00:18:05,400 --> 00:18:07,520 Speaker 1: differences in the run game that we could maybe see 400 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:10,040 Speaker 1: this year? Uh? Man, we just have to continue to 401 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:11,679 Speaker 1: stay focused and we can't get We got to just 402 00:18:11,680 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 1: continue to stay discipline and uh you know, come second 403 00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:18,200 Speaker 1: half of the season, just keep it Rowland. So we 404 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:19,680 Speaker 1: were not going to change much. We're just going to 405 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:22,320 Speaker 1: change our details and change our focus level. We have 406 00:18:22,359 --> 00:18:24,240 Speaker 1: to up our focus and not the run game will 407 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:26,880 Speaker 1: be just fine. Look, man, you've got such an incredible 408 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:29,720 Speaker 1: story and I know you probably get asked about it 409 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:34,640 Speaker 1: all the time. Battling hodgkinsl and foma cancer in two fifteen, 410 00:18:34,760 --> 00:18:39,600 Speaker 1: coming back to play at pitt in two sixteen, and 411 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:42,520 Speaker 1: then coming to the NFL, and you're only twenty seven 412 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:44,399 Speaker 1: years old. You just turned twenty seven, You've been in 413 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:46,120 Speaker 1: the league for five years, You've already been to two 414 00:18:46,119 --> 00:18:48,520 Speaker 1: Pro Bowls. So it's it's remarkable what you've been able 415 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:51,760 Speaker 1: to accomplish. But one thing that really stands out to me, James, 416 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 1: is just how willing you are to talk about your 417 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,560 Speaker 1: story and to give back. Can you talk about something 418 00:18:57,600 --> 00:19:00,280 Speaker 1: that happened this summer when you went back to Pittsburg. 419 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:03,960 Speaker 1: If I'm getting the story correct, it was a nurse 420 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:08,160 Speaker 1: of yours that helped you when you were going through cancer. 421 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:11,639 Speaker 1: That then you went back to Honor the summer and 422 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 1: she was battling cancer. Is that correct? Yeah? She she was. 423 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:17,040 Speaker 1: Thankfully she was able to beat it. Um. But yeah, 424 00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 1: twenty fifteen, when I was battling my um my hashings 425 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:22,320 Speaker 1: in the phone. But my nurse, um, she was the 426 00:19:22,359 --> 00:19:24,560 Speaker 1: one taking care of me. And years later, you know, 427 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:26,800 Speaker 1: she ended up getting diagnosed with the same illness. And 428 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:29,119 Speaker 1: so that just goes to show, you know, cancer does 429 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:32,240 Speaker 1: not discriminate. Um. You know, it doesn't matter who it is. Um, 430 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:34,600 Speaker 1: you know, it's out there and uh so we just 431 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:37,320 Speaker 1: and I know firsthand would us liked to deal with that. 432 00:19:37,400 --> 00:19:41,520 Speaker 1: So um for her to to to get diagnosed and 433 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:44,760 Speaker 1: still treat other patients that whatnot, even why she was battling, 434 00:19:45,040 --> 00:19:47,399 Speaker 1: you know, the illness herself, it just show true strength. 435 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: And so UM my doctor, doctor Stanley Marks and Pittsburgh 436 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:54,320 Speaker 1: you know, has his has his uh a charity every 437 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:57,200 Speaker 1: year where you know, we raised money and for research 438 00:19:57,240 --> 00:19:59,520 Speaker 1: and whatnot, and he gets out that James Corner Courage 439 00:19:59,560 --> 00:20:02,800 Speaker 1: Award and so um uh he would my nurse was 440 00:20:02,840 --> 00:20:04,920 Speaker 1: actually the one who received the James kind of courage 441 00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:08,119 Speaker 1: the war. So thankfully the schedules are lined up and 442 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:09,879 Speaker 1: we had that break in the summer for me to 443 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:12,400 Speaker 1: be able to fly back to Pittsburgh and uh see 444 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:14,639 Speaker 1: my doctor, see all my close friends, and present my 445 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:16,879 Speaker 1: nurse with the award. So it was just it was 446 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:20,720 Speaker 1: a great night, you know, as an emotion field night. Um. 447 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:25,040 Speaker 1: But yeah, that's cancer man. Uh, it's it's terrible obviously, 448 00:20:25,119 --> 00:20:27,640 Speaker 1: but it also brings people together and has that community 449 00:20:27,680 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 1: feel to it, um, for for for better. So yeah, 450 00:20:31,040 --> 00:20:33,120 Speaker 1: that's how it worked out. Did she know you were coming? 451 00:20:33,520 --> 00:20:35,960 Speaker 1: Was a surprise she see me when I first got there, 452 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 1: you know. So I didn't like surprised her all on stage, 453 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:39,480 Speaker 1: and I like that. Um, I didn't want to make 454 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:41,199 Speaker 1: it too much about me, you know. So I was 455 00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:44,399 Speaker 1: just there and um, obviously you know, her whole family 456 00:20:44,480 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 1: was there. My mother was able to come, and I 457 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:48,520 Speaker 1: was able to you know, give her some flowers in 458 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:50,879 Speaker 1: the award on the stage. So it was a special moment. 459 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:55,400 Speaker 1: So how long now officially have you been cancer free? Uh? 460 00:20:55,440 --> 00:21:00,160 Speaker 1: Twenty since twenty fifteen, twenty sixteen, so it's been six years. 461 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:02,920 Speaker 1: For six years going on seven year olds almost. And 462 00:21:04,119 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: how often do you get approached to talk, either in 463 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:11,040 Speaker 1: this kind of a setting or in a charity environment 464 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:14,400 Speaker 1: to talk about your story? Um? Pretty often, I would 465 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 1: say a lot of the times come from like social media, 466 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:21,360 Speaker 1: people reaching out through messages and whatnot, just because you know, 467 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:24,520 Speaker 1: everybody seems like they know somebody who's affected, whether that 468 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:27,359 Speaker 1: family member affected by it or a close friend you know, 469 00:21:27,440 --> 00:21:30,640 Speaker 1: you know somebody, So it's pretty often. But um, it's 470 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:33,359 Speaker 1: it's it's priceless to to make somebody's day, or to 471 00:21:33,480 --> 00:21:35,760 Speaker 1: change somebody's perspective, or to give somebody hope. You know, 472 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:37,720 Speaker 1: you really can't put a price on that. So it's 473 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:41,359 Speaker 1: it's just really special. Even even if it happens often, 474 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:43,480 Speaker 1: you know, it never gets old. And you wrote a 475 00:21:43,520 --> 00:21:46,600 Speaker 1: book Fear Is a Choice a couple of years ago. 476 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:49,679 Speaker 1: What inspired you to write the book? And you know 477 00:21:49,720 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 1: how detailed did you get in the book about what 478 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:56,159 Speaker 1: you went through? Um? I was inspired just to to 479 00:21:56,520 --> 00:21:58,960 Speaker 1: give hope, you know, and because a lot of people 480 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:01,800 Speaker 1: just like me, when they get diagno if they're confused, 481 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:04,120 Speaker 1: you know, that's that was my main thing I would 482 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:07,440 Speaker 1: I would even say I was more confused and scared. 483 00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:11,040 Speaker 1: Um And so in the book, I wanted to to 484 00:22:11,040 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 1: settle the confusion with you know, with the Good Lord 485 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:15,040 Speaker 1: and let people know that God has a plan for 486 00:22:15,080 --> 00:22:17,399 Speaker 1: all of us. Whether you know it seems like why 487 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:21,400 Speaker 1: would you know? People have that you know mindset of 488 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:23,600 Speaker 1: of why why would this happen to me? And all this? 489 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:26,440 Speaker 1: But I feel like there's there's purpose and plan for everything, 490 00:22:26,440 --> 00:22:28,479 Speaker 1: even the bad or the stuff that we look at 491 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:30,440 Speaker 1: as bad. And so I just wanted to give hope 492 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:32,840 Speaker 1: to the people. And um, I was just trying to 493 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 1: be vulnerable, let it all out, giving those behind the 494 00:22:36,160 --> 00:22:39,320 Speaker 1: scene stories, you know, the dark day stories. Um, you know, 495 00:22:39,359 --> 00:22:41,720 Speaker 1: twelve total treatments, you know, and so, like I say 496 00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:44,359 Speaker 1: in the book, the treatment too was tough. Treatment six, 497 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:47,600 Speaker 1: treatment ten, you know, Um, those are all difficult. But 498 00:22:47,640 --> 00:22:50,120 Speaker 1: it was just trying to shift my my perspective on 499 00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:52,879 Speaker 1: you know, I'm getting closer to beat this and uh, 500 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:55,760 Speaker 1: you know, because unfortunately, I feel like cancer's not going awhere, 501 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:57,719 Speaker 1: you know, and so we have to continue to research 502 00:22:57,760 --> 00:23:00,680 Speaker 1: and fight and just give hope to the pe. So yeah, 503 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:03,119 Speaker 1: those are my two many motives behind it. I know 504 00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:07,959 Speaker 1: a lot of people that have either are dealing with cancer. 505 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:10,800 Speaker 1: I worked for three years with Chris Spielman, who as 506 00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:13,400 Speaker 1: a linebacker I don't have a stating in the NFL 507 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:14,960 Speaker 1: and now works for the tron Lions. And I was 508 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:18,040 Speaker 1: working with Chris the year his wife passed away from cancer. 509 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:20,920 Speaker 1: She battled breast cancer for twelve years, and there was 510 00:23:20,960 --> 00:23:25,200 Speaker 1: always that fear. Eventually, obviously it, you know, cost to 511 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:27,919 Speaker 1: her life, but during that decade, there was always the 512 00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:31,480 Speaker 1: fear of is it coming back? Every little thing there 513 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:34,399 Speaker 1: was Okay, well does this mean it's back? Do you 514 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:36,760 Speaker 1: ever do you still deal with that or is it 515 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 1: something because of the type of cancer you had you 516 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:41,400 Speaker 1: feel like, Okay, I'm good or is it something that's 517 00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:45,199 Speaker 1: still in the back of your mind you think about. Oh, no, 518 00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:47,080 Speaker 1: I don't. I don't feel it's in the back of 519 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 1: my mind. I don't feel like it's coming back. Early on, 520 00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:51,879 Speaker 1: you know, when you first beat it, that first year 521 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:54,880 Speaker 1: or two after, you definitely, you know, have those questions 522 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:56,879 Speaker 1: and those thoughts. You know, if you get a little cold, 523 00:23:57,040 --> 00:23:59,080 Speaker 1: you you know, you cough in and whatnot, or you 524 00:23:59,119 --> 00:24:01,080 Speaker 1: can sleep some night I see you like, you know, 525 00:24:01,160 --> 00:24:02,919 Speaker 1: you had those questions like is it coming back? But 526 00:24:03,560 --> 00:24:05,680 Speaker 1: I'm years removed now my faith is a lot, a 527 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:08,040 Speaker 1: lot stronger, you know, and so um I try not 528 00:24:08,119 --> 00:24:09,480 Speaker 1: to think about that, you know, I just trying to 529 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:11,480 Speaker 1: focus only on the good and only on the good. 530 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:13,280 Speaker 1: And so now I don't have I don't I don't 531 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:15,679 Speaker 1: feel like that. No, more. I feel like I'm blessing too. 532 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:18,040 Speaker 1: Can care of well. It's been great to see man, 533 00:24:18,119 --> 00:24:22,200 Speaker 1: it's You're an incredible story, great inspiration to so many people. Again, 534 00:24:22,359 --> 00:24:26,159 Speaker 1: just reading the article touch my heart. You going back 535 00:24:26,840 --> 00:24:29,880 Speaker 1: and giving back to the community, being a part of 536 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:34,320 Speaker 1: the ceremony last year or last summer with the nurse 537 00:24:34,359 --> 00:24:37,160 Speaker 1: given which he's going through. How involved are you lastly 538 00:24:37,359 --> 00:24:40,240 Speaker 1: in the community here in Arizona? Is that something? Because 539 00:24:40,280 --> 00:24:42,280 Speaker 1: you've only been here a year and because of COVID 540 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:44,000 Speaker 1: you really didn't get a chance to do much of 541 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:46,080 Speaker 1: And what do you think that'll be like now that 542 00:24:46,119 --> 00:24:48,840 Speaker 1: you're here a long term. I haven't got involved much 543 00:24:48,840 --> 00:24:51,600 Speaker 1: since it's being out here. You know, things happening so 544 00:24:51,640 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 1: fast the year before I even got here with being 545 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:57,520 Speaker 1: a free agent, having an off season surgery, and it's 546 00:24:57,560 --> 00:25:00,200 Speaker 1: coming here, going right into training camp and right into 547 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:02,480 Speaker 1: the season, you know, trying to prove myself and just 548 00:25:02,920 --> 00:25:05,159 Speaker 1: head down. So I didn't get a chance to do much. 549 00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:06,760 Speaker 1: But now that I'm in a long term, I definitely 550 00:25:06,760 --> 00:25:10,000 Speaker 1: want to get involved. Head over to the Arizona Children's Hospital. 551 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:12,280 Speaker 1: I know it's pretty big here. It's huge here, so 552 00:25:12,320 --> 00:25:14,359 Speaker 1: I would love to get over there and connect and 553 00:25:14,440 --> 00:25:16,680 Speaker 1: just see the kids over there and get some hope 554 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:20,680 Speaker 1: over there. And now, you know, home out here, this 555 00:25:20,800 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 1: is home now for me. So I feel now I'm 556 00:25:23,280 --> 00:25:25,800 Speaker 1: able to things that are a lot you know, easier 557 00:25:25,920 --> 00:25:27,880 Speaker 1: now off the field, you know, I feel like I'm 558 00:25:27,880 --> 00:25:30,760 Speaker 1: settled in. So now it's time for me to you know, 559 00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:32,920 Speaker 1: get involved out in that community and take it to 560 00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:34,760 Speaker 1: a new level. All right, man, look forward to watching 561 00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:36,200 Speaker 1: again this year. I know you're gonna have a great 562 00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:43,640 Speaker 1: season and keep it up. Appreciate the time much appreciate it. Certainly. 563 00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:47,680 Speaker 1: One of those inspiring young men in sports. Cardinals running 564 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:51,040 Speaker 1: back James Connor personally, it's been through so much, but 565 00:25:51,240 --> 00:25:55,960 Speaker 1: has embraced being someone that dealt with cancer in college 566 00:25:56,359 --> 00:25:59,800 Speaker 1: and it's now cancer free and thriving. You can just 567 00:26:00,040 --> 00:26:05,160 Speaker 1: hell hearing his heart how much cancer awareness is something 568 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:08,760 Speaker 1: that he's constantly focusing on and helping others. That's why 569 00:26:08,760 --> 00:26:12,640 Speaker 1: he wrote his book Fear as a Choice, tackling life's 570 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:16,480 Speaker 1: challenges with dignity, faith and determination. He talked about wanting 571 00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:20,400 Speaker 1: to get involved more here in Arizona and just can't 572 00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:22,359 Speaker 1: wait to see what James is going to do on 573 00:26:22,440 --> 00:26:25,800 Speaker 1: a personal level, but obviously also professionally had an incredible 574 00:26:25,920 --> 00:26:30,840 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one eighteen touchdowns, fifteen rushing and still the 575 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:34,199 Speaker 1: running back room is really good. But without Chase Edmonds 576 00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:36,840 Speaker 1: and without DeAndre Hopkins the first six games, you wonder 577 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:39,399 Speaker 1: will we see even more of James Conner in the 578 00:26:39,440 --> 00:26:41,840 Speaker 1: passing game. He had thirty seven catches last year, and 579 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:44,040 Speaker 1: I know it took a lot of people by surprise, 580 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:46,919 Speaker 1: but back in twenty eighteen as a member of the 581 00:26:46,920 --> 00:26:48,879 Speaker 1: Steelers when he went to the Pro Bowl, he had 582 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:51,480 Speaker 1: fifty five receptions. So he's a guy that's going to 583 00:26:51,560 --> 00:26:54,040 Speaker 1: be involved in the passing game and is a big 584 00:26:54,119 --> 00:26:57,640 Speaker 1: part of the Cardinals in twenty twenty two. We are 585 00:26:57,680 --> 00:27:01,000 Speaker 1: presented by bet MGM, the official sports betting partner of 586 00:27:01,080 --> 00:27:05,000 Speaker 1: the Arizona Cardinals, and by Hila River Hotels and Casinos. 587 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:08,680 Speaker 1: You can follow us on Twitter at Pashpod. We'd also 588 00:27:08,760 --> 00:27:11,680 Speaker 1: love to hear what you think about the Dave Pash Podcast, 589 00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:15,719 Speaker 1: So regardless of your podcast platform, rate us, tell us 590 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:18,399 Speaker 1: what you think, give us your input. Who would you 591 00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:20,440 Speaker 1: like to see maybe is a future guest on the 592 00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:24,560 Speaker 1: Dave Pash Podcast. Obviously, this is a primarily Arizona Cardinals 593 00:27:24,560 --> 00:27:29,080 Speaker 1: and NFL podcast. But we have had on actors, comedians, 594 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:34,720 Speaker 1: basketball players, coaches, broadcasters, and we'd like to keep a 595 00:27:34,720 --> 00:27:38,080 Speaker 1: diverse group of guests and we'd love to get your 596 00:27:38,080 --> 00:27:39,919 Speaker 1: thoughts and who you might like to hear from on 597 00:27:39,960 --> 00:27:43,280 Speaker 1: the Dave Pash Podcast. Thanks again to James Connor, Cardinals 598 00:27:43,280 --> 00:27:45,399 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl running back, and thanks to you for listening 599 00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:47,760 Speaker 1: to another edition of the Dave Pash Podcast.