Pittsburgh's James Conner cancer free

PITTSBURGH, May 23 (UPI) -- Usually, when the top running backs in college football anxiously await a phone call, its coming from an NFL general manager.

But Monday, Pittsburgh's James Conner received one for a more important matter.

Conner, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in December, got a call that he is now cancer free.

"God is AMAZING," Conner tweeted. "Just got the call that my body is clean of cancer!!! Been a long road but God had my back. Thanks everyone who said prayers!"

After his diagnosis, Conner continued to workout with his teammates through February. He completed his 12th chemotherapy treatment a few weeks ago.

Conner was the ACC Player of the Year in 2014 after rushing for 1,765 yards during his sophomore season. He missed the Panthers' 2015 season after suffering a knee injury in the team's first game.

"Over the past six months, James Conner fought cancer the same way he plays football: relentlessly and without surrender," Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi stated in a school release. "He has inspired and touched so many people in how he has handled this challenge. James is an incredibly special person, and I'm not even thinking about his football ability when I say that. Everyone at Pitt feels blessed to know him and we are tremendously thankful for the wonderful news he received today."

Conner appeared on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' last month, where he met Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry. Berry overcame the same diagnosis and became the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year.