Whatever positive capital James Conner had built up with the Pittsburgh fanbase by wearing a Pitt t-shirt to his postgame news conference Sunday, he perhaps squandered away by making an admission about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ traditional late-game hype song.
“I didn’t like ‘Renegade,’” Conner said. “That got the defense turned up for (the Steelers), you know?
“No, emotions were running high but I was just taking it all in. Accepting it all, a lot of love, a lot of love for this place, it’s all love.”
A lot more love from Conner was flowing after his Arizona Cardinals upset the Steelers, 24-10, in Conner’s return to the facility formerly known as Heinz Field on Sunday.
Conner, of course, starred for Pitt and the Steelers for four seasons each but left via free agency for the Cardinals prior to the 2021 season. Conner repeatedly termed his first game back at what is now called Acrisure Stadium as “special” — and why wouldn’t he? Conner had 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and he walked away with a win.
Conner said he acquired 20 tickets for family and friends but that several others were on hand, too. At one point, Conner said he could hear a chant of “Let’s go, J.C.”
???? "We don't let our record define us. We don't let that effect how we play, how we take the field. What we try to stand for. We're not defined by our record, we're going to keep fighting." pic.twitter.com/rADIU4NKlq
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 3, 2023
“Everything about this place is special,” Conner said. “I was a baby, University of Pittsburgh at 18 years old, with a goal of mine of getting to the NFL, not knowing how I was going to do it. But just trying to figure it out as I got here to Heinz Field — or Acrisure, now — where it started. So, special energy here, for sure.”
Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray said it was a goal to get Conner plenty of work Sunday. Conner’s 25 carries were a season-high. His rushing yardage total was one short of a season-best.
“We know how much this means for him to come back home and be able to do his thing, so I was super excited for him,” Murray said.
Conner rushed for scores of 1 yard in the third quarter and 9 yards in the fourth. It was the 14th multi-touchdown game of his career. For his efforts, Conner received a game ball from teammates.
Conner surely had received countless game balls from his days with Pitt and the Steelers, the former of whom he was playing for when named an All American and winning the ACC offensive player of the year award, the latter for whom he was playing when he was named to the AFC Pro Bowl team.
A native of Erie, Conner saw plenty of friendly familiar faces during his visit back to western Pennsylvania.
“Just everybody,” he said. “Old teammates, security throughout the building, the staff over there, my old coaches. I just told them how much I appreciated them all. They were huge for me in my journey. The lessons that I learned being a Steeler were so valuable, I take them to me to this day. A lot of love for everybody around here.”
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