Pitt's Conner Named to AP All American Team, Family Reacts

James Conner continues to turn heads with his performance on the football field, and now, the Associated Press has taken notice, naming the McDowell grad to their All American second team.

It's just the latest in a slew of national honors Conner has recently garnered, but when SEE News anchor Emily Welsh sat down with some of his family members, they said he's still the humble, hard working James they've always known.

"I'm sort of new at this and learning what all honors are out there that he can earn, and every time there's a new one I'm like, 'I thought we were done for the season,'" joked Conner's mom Kelly Bibbs.

Her son has broken the University of Pittsburgh's record for season touchdowns, he's the ACC player of the year, and now he's named to the AP's All American second team.

To his family though, he's just James.

"Everyone sees a six-foot-two-inch 250 pound monster... I see my little brother," said Conner's oldest brother Glen. "If he breaks his leg tomorrow all of this is gonna go away, but we don't care."

As Conner's sophomore season has progressed, all the accolade's he's scored with those record touchdowns and rushing yards, haven't seemed to phase him.

"Each one means just as much as the last ," said Bibbs. "He's just overwhelmed and just so honored and humbled and happy that everything's turned out this way, and he's just put in so much work and getting the results."

"Everyone else is impressed... we expected him to do this," said Glen.

"He's all about the team, which is great," Bibbs added. "That's just how he's always been ,even in eight grade he won the 'best overall team player' award, he's just always been that way."

Just as important as his support on the field, is his team of support here in his hometown.

"It's just overwhelming, it's one thing in high school when there's the high school rivalries... but when you get to this level it's just it's all about Erie," said Bibbs. " He just loves it, it just makes him feel on top of the world... to have such support at home."

Conner and the Panthers will take on Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl January 2nd. Fittingly, his brother Michael, who's in the Air Force, will be there cheering him on.

Back to Home