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Watch James Conner's emotional reaction to being drafted by the Steelers

No one will have to teach cancer survivor James Conner, the Steelers’ third-round draft pick out of Pitt, how to be strong. But when his name was called Friday night, confirming the hometown Steelers had taken him, he looked about as strong as jelly.

Conner, surrounded by family and friends, sent chills through the city of Pittsburgh, as one of the nation’s top feel-good stories got the storybook ending. He went from a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis in 2015 back on the field in 2016, enduring 12 chemotherapy sessions between those checkpoints. He still managed to rush for 16 touchdowns in 2016, suggesting the bruising Conner is in line for some short-yardage duty with the Steelers.

He told reporters via conference call after he was selected the Steelers are getting “a great football player.”

That’s true, but that’s not even half of what makes Conner unique.

The Steelers added USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tennessee defensive back Cameron Sutton Friday before taking Conner with the 105th pick of the draft.

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