Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner lost his grandmother this week, so he took to Instagram to post a touching tribute to her on Friday:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0EgbtgBgU8/?utm_source=ig_embed

Conner is coming off of a 2018 campaign in which he played 13 games, rushing for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 4.5 yards per carry. In addition, he hauled in 55 receptions for 497 yards and a score en route to a Pro Bowl appearance, something his grandmother fortunately got to see before she passed.

The 24-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Pittsburgh, was originally selected by the Steelers in the third round (105th pick overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

He appeared in 14 contests during his rookie year as a backup to Le'Veon Bell, totaling 144 yards off 32 carries.

Conner had a tumultuous collegiate career, as he was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and participated in just one game during his junior as a result. Thankfully, Conner beat it and returned to the field for his senior season, racking up 1,092 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground while catching 21 passes for 302 yards and four scores.

His best NCAA season, however, came during his sophomore year, when he tallied 1,765 yards and a ridiculous 26 touchdowns as a rusher, logging 5.9 yards per carry.

Conner will now get the chance to truly shine as a member of the Steelers now that Bell is officially no longer in tow, so he won't have to worry about Bell returning from a holdout and taking his starting job anymore.

Pittsburgh went a disappointing 9-6-1 and missed the playoffs in 2018.