contracted to the Stormm in 2018.dddddddddddd Ill probably th

PITTSBURGH -- James Conner has big plans for this weekend, and it has nothing to do with saying goodbye.Thanksgiving marks the 1-year anniversary of the cancer diagnosis that threatened the Pittsburgh running backs career, one that kickstarted his remarkable comeback and turned Conner into an inspirational figure for others in the same fight.Conner -- fully healthy and showing extended flashes of the raw brilliance that made him the ACC Player of the Year in 2014 -- will celebrate the milestone with a massive family meal sometime after the Panthers wrap up the regular season against Syracuse on Saturday at Heinz Field.Its going to be a good holiday this year, Conner said Tuesday.Whether its his last as a college player, Conner isnt saying. Any decision on whether to return for a redshirt senior season next fall wont come until after Pitts bowl game. Conner stressed he wants to make the smartest choice. He also doesnt want to be a distraction to the 19 teammates who will run through tunnel at home for the final time, most of whom arrived at Pitt alongside Conner in 2013.Im just going to sit back and enjoy their special moment, Conner said.Conner anticipated being in this situation a year ago. Then he tore the MCL in his right knee in the 2015 season opener against Youngstown State. A hastily arranged press conference the first week of December -- which most expected to be Conner announcing he was heading to the NFL -- instead turned into the disclosure that he was battling Hodgkin Lymphoma.Months of chemotherapy followed. Conner put his challenge out there for all to see, joining his teammates for workouts and doing outreach to other cancer patients looking for someone to lean on. Yes, its not something he ever imagined hed be doing around his 21st birthday. It hardly seems to bother him.Its all positive energy, he said. If you see a young kid in a sad situation, you feel for him and me personally because I can relate to it.And overcome it, too. After a sluggish start this fall in which he seemed intent on trying to turn every touch into something spectacular instead of just doing what hes always done -- namely, keeping his legs and arms churning with a ferocity few in the country can match -- Conner has relaxed in recent weeks. Hes gone over 100 yards in three of Pitts last four games, and his two 1-yard scoring runs in last weeks 56-14 thrashing of Duke made him the all-time leading touchdown maker (53) in Atlantic Coast Conference history.Heady territory for a kid who attended a football camp at Pitt as a defensive end prospect before getting recruited as a running back. His 6-foot-2, 240-pound frame seems tailor-made for the NFL. Yet his winding journey has also altered his perspective. Hes no longer in such a hurry to get to the next thing.You cant look too far ahead, Conner said. I dont even look a week ahead because, especially me, you dont know whats going to pop up.Asked how he would benefit from another year in college, Conner smiled.Probably some more records, he said. I dont know if I came back, just add to the legacy. I hope they retire No. 24 one day. Thats a goal of mine.One thats probably already secure either way. While offensive coordinator Matt Canada hopes to have Conner around next fall, he understands if Conner moves on. One look at the way Conner is playing, including a stiff-arm during a 20-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter two weeks ago against Clemson that helped Pitt rally for a 43-42 upset, he certainly looks pro-ready.Why should people want to tackle James? Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Canada said. Theres not many people that want to tackle James Conner.Its why even with a running back draft class that could include LSUs Leonard Fournette, Georgias Nick Chubb and Florida States Dalvin Cook, Conner likes his chances if he opts to move on to the next phase of his life sooner rather than later.I like to think Im pretty talented, too, he said. I just focus on me and do what I can and hope I get the opportunity.---More AP college football at www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25.Willie Stargell Jersey . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Jameson Taillon Jersey . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. 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The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season.Evergreen Australia skipper Cameron Smith claims he feels fitter than ever and has no plans to call time on his glittering representative career just yet.The 33-year-old will make his 49th appearance in the green and gold on Sunday against New Zealand in the Four Nations final - 10 behind Darren Lockyers record.With the Rugby League World Cup in Australia just 11 months away, theres a real possibility Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Greg Inglis, wholl all be over 30 when the tournament kicks off, could follow Johnathan Thurston into representative retirement.Smith admits hes unlikely to play again in England after Sundays Four Nations decider against New Zealand at Anfield, but is open-minded about the possibility of playing on after next years showpiece and eclipsing Lockyers milestone.I think Ill just carry on playing, Smith said.I havent really looked to the future and put an end date on my representative career. Its a huge year next year, having a World Cup on home soil.I want to give myself every opportunity to be involved in that and after that tournaments finished theres a whole off season to think about continuing on the following year.Im still contracted to the Stormm in 2018.dddddddddddd Ill probably think about that after next year.I am sort of doing the opposite to other players, I am as fit and as strong as I have ever been.Probably because I look after myself a bit better now. I eat a fair bit less junk food.Physically I feel great and mentally I am enjoying the game as much as at any other time in my career.Despite being on his fourth Kangaroos tour of the UK, Smith said he feels as pumped as he did ahead of his first in 2009 when he scored a late try to earn a 20-all draw with New Zealand in the opening match - the only match on English soil hes not tasted victory in.Im still excited to get a jersey and have my name read out at the start of each week when Mal names the team, he said.Its a bit more difficult now because Ive got three young kids and my wife at home and its hard to leave those guys for six weeks.I love spending time with my family.But as far as playing and being around the team and playing in great stadiums and having victories, its still as enjoyable as when I debuted back in 2006. ' ' '