James Earl Conner, born on May 5, 1995, is an American football running back who currently plays for the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League (NFL). Prior to his professional career, he played college football at Pittsburgh and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
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Conner’s outstanding performance on the field earned him prestigious recognition, including being named an AFCA first-team All-American and receiving the ACC Player of the Year award in 2014.
Table of Contents
Profile Overview
| Full Name: | James Earl Conner |
| Nickname: | The Terminator |
| Place of Birth: | Erie, Pennsylvania |
| Education: | Pittsburgh |
| Parents: | Kelly Patterson, Glen Conner Sr. |
| Spouse: | Sarah Quinn |
Early Life & Biography
James Conner was raised by his parents, Kelly Patterson and Glen Conner Sr., and he is the youngest of five siblings. His brothers are Glen, Mike, Michael, and Rico. Glen, Richard, and Michael are his blood relatives, while Rico is his stepbrother from his mother’s second marriage.
Conner began his football journey as a promising player at McDowell High School in Erie, Pennsylvania. Throughout his high school career, he showcased his skills as both a running back and a defensive player for the Trojans football team. In his senior season, he impressed everyone by rushing for an impressive 1,680 yards on 155 carries, scoring 26 touchdowns. Recognizing his talent, he earned a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh, where he enrolled in August 2012 and pursued a major in communication.
Personal Life
James Conner was raised alongside his four brothers. In December 2015, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. However, in a remarkable turn of events, just five months later, in May, Conner joyfully announced that he was cancer-free. Throughout his journey, he has shown immense strength and resilience.
Conner has been in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Sarah Quinn. As of now, he does not have any children, but he continues to focus on his football career and personal endeavors.
Career
- James Conner High School Career (McDowell High School)
During his high school years at McDowell High School in Erie, Pennsylvania, James Conner showcased his talent on the football field. As a versatile player, he excelled in two positions: running back and defensive line. In his final year of high school, Conner made an impressive impact by rushing for an impressive 1,680 yards and scoring 26 touchdowns. His outstanding performances caught the attention of college recruiters and set the stage for his future success in the sport.
- James Conner College Career (Pittsburgh Panthers)
Prior to his final year at McDowell High School, James Conner made the commitment to play college football at the University of Pittsburgh. In his freshman season with the Panthers, Conner made an immediate impact by earning the prestigious title of Little Caesars Bowl MVP. His remarkable performance included a record-breaking 226 rushing yards, setting a new school record for bowl games. Throughout the season, Conner accumulated a total of 799 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
Continuing his success into his sophomore year, Conner established himself as one of the top running backs in the country. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with an impressive 1,765 rushing yards, ranking seventh in the entire Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Additionally, Conner set an ACC record with 26 rushing touchdowns. His outstanding achievements earned him the esteemed title of ACC Player of the Year.
Unfortunately, Conner’s junior year was marred by a setback when he suffered a torn MCL in the opening game, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the season.
Undeterred by the injury, Conner made a strong comeback in his senior year, amassing 1,062 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. After evaluating his options, he made the decision to enter the 2017 NFL Draft, taking the next step towards his professional football career.
- James Conner NFL Career
Selected as the 105th overall pick in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, James Conner embarked on his professional football journey with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Initially serving as a backup to the renowned Le’Veon Bell, Conner patiently awaited his opportunity to shine.
During his second season in 2018, Conner’s perseverance paid off when he was named the starting running back after Bell’s decision to hold out due to contract disputes. Despite battling injuries and missing a few games, Conner made a significant impact by starting in 12 games. He concluded the season with an impressive total of 1,470 yards and 13 touchdowns, showcasing his versatility and earning a well-deserved spot in the Pro Bowl.
The following year, in 2019, Conner faced adversity as he was sidelined for six games due to injuries. Despite the setbacks, he exhibited his determination by accumulating 715 yards and scoring seven touchdowns in the 10 games he played.
Entering the 2020 season, Conner embraced his role as the Steelers’ starting running back for his third consecutive year.
James Conner’s Net Worth
James Conner, the talented running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, signed a lucrative four-year contract with the team after being selected in the third round. The contract is valued at $3,161,523 and includes a signing bonus of $706,288, with $706,288 guaranteed. Conner’s estimated annual salary is around $790,381.
In 2020, Conner received a base salary of $825,000, with a cap hit of $1,001,572. His dead cap value was $176,572 for that year.
With his impressive athletic abilities and strong work ethic, Conner has earned a total of $1.74 million in his first two seasons with the Steelers. In 2018, he earned an impressive $755,000, ranking him 63rd among the highest-earning running backs and 1082nd among all NFL players.
At only 25 years old, Conner has already entered the millionaire’s club, accumulating a total of $3.183 million from his three seasons. With a year remaining on his contract and an annual salary increase of 15% offered by the Steelers, he has the potential to earn over $13 million by the end of 2025 if he chooses to extend his contract.
Sports site behindthesteelcurtain has also predicted a similar upward trajectory for Conner’s career. It is expected that his rookie deal will expire in 2022, by which time he would have earned over $3 million.
Based on his recent contract and earnings, RB James Conner’s current net worth is estimated to be around $3 million. However, by the end of the 2025 season, his market value is projected to be around $10 million.
