Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald and Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner were both named to the Pro Bowl this week.
Former college teammates at the University of Pittsburgh, the two have shared a bond for quite some time now.
Back in 2015, Conner was diagnosed with cancer, a devastating blow to both Conner and Donald. Three years later, Conner has thankfully beaten the disease and his stamping his name among the best running backs in the NFL.
But Conner still remembers a text that the Rams superstar sent him when he was first diagnosed, and it is a text that now holds even more substantial weight.
“You’re going to look back at this one day after about seven Pro Bowls,” Donald wrote in the text.
Conner posted the text on Instagram, and when Donald discovered that fact, he was very touched, according to Gary Klein of The Los Angeles Times.
“I started to tear up when I seen it. He’s family to me. So I’m just proud of him. I’m his biggest fan,” said Donald.
Conner, who has been sidelined the past two weeks with an ankle injury, has been terrific this season, rushing for 909 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. In addition, he has hauled in 52 receptions for 467 yards and a score.
For Donald, Pro Bowls have become a regular thing, as the 27-year-old has been voted to Honolulu in each of his first five seasons. This year, he has racked up 48 tackles, a league-leading 16.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries.
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