By Myra Bean

Sports View

Do you know James Conner?

You have probably heard the name. It is fairly common though the people with the name are probably anything but common.

The James Conner addressed here is the running back on the Pittsburgh Steeler roster. Still don’t remember him? His introduction in any report usually starts “No one knows when Le’Veon Bell will report but James Conner.”

Now, you know who I am talking about.

As the storyline continues on this Bell saga, what do you think Conner is saying? Not much has been printed or shown about what Conner actually feels about the situation so I thought I would help him out.

There are a couple of scenarios that could fit this situation.

Scenario 1: If I were Conner, I would be WTW? Why can no one ever preface the sentence, “James Conner scored three touchdowns for Pittsburgh” and leave off the part “in for Le’Veon Bell”?

Why does Bell have to be part of every sentence that has the name James Conner?

Conner should huff and puff and go up to the media and ask them if they even know who he is without a Steeler jersey on. Sure, Le’Veon is a pretty cool name. You think of diamonds. Maybe they think Le’Veon is a diamond.

James Conner is not shiny like Le’Veon. Maybe that is the reason they have to share a sentence.

Scenario 2: Pull a Michael Thomas-Joe Horn phone in the goal post stunt. Then pull a sign out that says, “Hey, Mom. It’s James.”

Now, children and grandchildren are funny. Mine would always leave a message that says something like, “Hey, Mom, it’s me.” Well, I only have one child and now two grandchildren. One is only seven months old and does not talk where I can understand her yet.

So, I always wonder why did they feel the need to introduce themselves to me when they leave a message. Who else would be calling me Mama?

Moms know every child’s and grandchild’s voice. You don’t really have to introduce yourself.

That is just a little scenario. I guess Conner is really keeping his head down and eyes towards the end zone.

As the weeks have progressed and the Steelers are more productive with Conner on the field, people have become more accepting of Conner and less concerned with whether Bell will return.

They said he has until Nov. 13 to return or he will not be able to play any during this season.

To make a long story short, Bell is holding out for something in his contract. Monday, he tweeted farewell, Miami.

Over the weekend, there was talk of him jet skiing in Florida and different stuff.

Also, the team at first was really behind him and his teammates really understood from the reports.

Last weekend that changed when people were reporting his teammates were saying who cares about a guy not on the field. They protecting the one on the field.

When teammates were sympathetic to Bell’s cause, they were referring to the NFL as a business.

Yes, we know it is but fans want the entertainment part. Do your business on your own time. When it’s the season, that is our entertainment time.

What this scenario shows is what I have come to realize more and more. If you refuse to do your job, there is someone out there ready to step in and take your place.

If you die, quit or move, someone else is waiting for that opportunity.

It does not matter if you do not do it the same way or as well as that other person. People will adapt to the new person’s capabilities.

The thing about talents on the football field. Everybody had all sorts of things to say about Conner not being a playmaker, not as smart as Bell and not as fast.

However, Conner on the team has scored more touchdowns than Bell at this time last year.

Antonio Brown has been allowed to be a receiver and is capitalizing on his shots. Other people are getting a chance to help out the Steelers who do not have to cater to the “star” all the time.

Bell may have been trying to make a point, but the Steelers have been able to call his bluff. Now, his teammates are saying, “who cares?”

This is a life lesson for all of us. Someone is waiting to take your place if you step out of it. His mother is waiting to tell her baby that she knew he could do it all the time.