James Conner’s 16 Tattoos & Their Meanings

James Earl Conner, a cancer survivor is an American professional football player who plays in the running back position. During his high school, he was the defensive lineman on the Trojans football team. Surprisingly, James used to love Basketball and was very good at it but, could not continue because his mother wanted him to be in Football. James has got a number of tattoos on his body. Let us see what they are and what importance they have for him.

James Conner

“I really enjoyed basketball and was really good at it,” Conner told Heavy.com. “My first year of football was in the fifth grade and I had fun with it but I didn’t see myself doing it long-term. I didn’t want to play football again, but [my mom] signed me up anyway, and then for some reason that second year I got into a groove with it.”

1. ‘CONNER STRONG’ Tattoo

James-CONNER-STRONG-Tattoo

Tattoo: James has got a tattoo inked on the inner side of his biceps as, ‘CONNER STRONG’, on his right and left bicep, respectively.

Meaning: This collaborated tattoo is actually the hashtag which was his source of encouragement and kept him going throughout his illness. James claims to have got this tattoo because it is his favorite hashtag and he wanted to keep it close to himself forever, to remember that he is strong and overcome all the struggles strongly.

2. Left Arm Tattoo

James-left-forearm-Tattoo

Tattoo: James’ left forearm is inked with some lines taken from the bible along with a cross tattoo which also has a dove bird tattooed on its center.

Meaning: The lines inked on his forearm is actually some Bible Verse. The Cross is the symbol of James’ religious belief and faith i.e Christianity. A dove bird is also considered religious apart from being observed as the symbol of hope and peace. James has always been a keen believer in Jesus and his blessings. He says he can never forget the times when he was suffering from Cancer and undergoing its treatment and it was Jesus whose blessings saved him.

3. ‘Pitt 24’ Tattoo

James-forearm-tattoo

Tattoo: On the inner side of James’ left forearm there is a tattoo that reads, ‘Pitt 24’.

Meaning: Pitt 24 represents Pittsburgh Football Team whereas 24 was his Jersey number until he moved from Pittsburgh to the Steelers, and was allotted number 30 as his Jersey Number. He loved the number 24 so much that he got it inked when he used to play under the tag number of 24 because, at Pittsburgh, it was worn by Marshawn Lynch and, Conner loved the way he used to run.

4. ‘Dream Believe Achieve’ Tattoo

James-Dream-Believe-Achieve-Tattoo

Tattoo: Near James’ collarbones there is a big tattoo writing that says, ‘Dream Believe Achieve’.

Meaning: James was battling the cancer battle and was too heartbroken as the procedure was too difficult for him to endure. Still, he never left his dreams and aspirations and continued his battle with Cancer till May 2016 when he was declared cancer-free. James has always had the highest dreams and is an industrious person that during his treatment sessions he used to go to the gym after the session wearing his surgical masks and also, at times would attend the early morning practice sessions at 4:30 am. His ideals and principles have always been focused on the fact of achieving all that he dreams and believes to acquire and so is this writing that is inked on his chest.

5. ‘Cross and Dove Birds’ Tattoo

James-cross-with-birds-tattoo

Tattoo: On the center of his chest, James has got a huge cross inked. There is a pair of dove birds tattooed on its top, one on each side.

Meaning: Cross with dove birds has a religious meaning. The Cross is the symbol of James’ religious beliefs and faith i.e. Christaniaty whereas Dove birds symbolize peace and hope. Together, cross and dove birds.

6. Tribal Face Tattoo

James tribal face tattoo

Tattoo: On his left bicep there is a tribal Native American with a headdress inked.

7 ‘Jeremiah 29:11’ Tattoo

James leg tattoo

Tattoo: James’ right shin is tattooed with the lines that are taken from Jeremiah 29:11 that says, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Meaning: The tattoo says the lines which have been taken from the Bible Verse which seeks to keep an individual encouraged that God is there and he has plans for your good future, to prosper you, and to give you good hope about your flourishing and successful future. James got these lines inked right below the scar on his knee, to keep him reminded of his injury and the pain which had become the reason for all the things that led him to accept the reality that he had cancer.

8. ‘Joker’ Tattoo

George joker Tattoo

Tattoo: On his inner left forearm James has got the tattoo of the portrait of the character Joker, from the movie The Dark Knights.

9. Bicep Tattoo

James bicep Tattoo

10. ‘Sunrays and Clouds’ Tattoo

James clouds and sunrays tattoo

Tattoo: On his right pec, there are clouds inked behind them can see the sun rays too.

Meaning: Clouds are the symbol of personal growth and transition from the dark phase of past times into the new positive future. Sunrays on the other hand are the symbol of light and positively thus, to mean that there is always a good and positive future waiting for all of us and so, we should not lose hope.

11. Faith Tattoo

James Faith Tattoo

Tattoo: On his left arm, James has got the word, ‘Faith’ tattooed.

12. ‘Kelly’ Tattoo

James Kelly Tattoo

Tattoo: On his right side, James has a tattoo that says, ‘Kelly <3’.

Meaning: Kelly is the first name of James’ mother (Kelly Patterson). This tattoo is his dedication of love for his mother.

13. Writing on Left Arm

James left forearm ink

14. Left Shoulder Tattoo

James left shoulder Tattoo

15. Names on left arm Tattoo

James names tattoo

Tattoo: On his upper left arm there are four names inked vertically which include, ‘Glen, Eric, Mike, Rico’.

Meaning: These four names are actually the nicknames of James’ siblings as, Glen for Glen Conner, Rich for Richard Conner, Mick for Michaeal Conner, and Rico for Rico Conner.

16. ‘Fear is a Choice’ Tattoo

James quote on left forearm

Tattoo: On his right forearm, there is another phrase inked which goes as ‘Fear is a choice’.

Meaning: The tattoo was James’ decision to put up his source of encouragement on his arm as a reminder to himself that if he fears cancer it will be his harm as fear is a choice and so he need not fear cancer rather, fight it strongly. Interestingly many of his friends and family also got the same tattoo on their body to support him throughout.

“When I heard those words—“You have cancer”—I admit I was scared. But after thinking about it for a bit, I realized that fear is a choice. I choose not to fear cancer. I choose to fight it, and I will win…. I know God would never bring me to something He can’t bring me through.

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