In the heart of the Detroit Lions’ ambitious Super Bowl aspirations, a ray of inspiration emerges in the form of cancer survivor and defensive lineman Josh Paschal. Despite facing challenges, including a tough Week 12 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Lions find strength in the resilience of Paschal.
His journey, often unknown before his time in Detroit, has recently come to light, revealing a triumph over cancer before their Week 13 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
What cancer did Josh Paschal have?
Josh Paschal’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and triumph in the face of a rare and aggressive foe, acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM). It is a skin cancer that unfolded during the spring of his college year in 2018. What began as a small, painful patch on the ball of his right foot evolved into a nightmarish diagnosis, necessitating immediate and intensive treatment.
The severity of ALM prompted multiple surgeries to excise the cancerous growth and repair the damaged tissue. A pivotal moment came when the team’s trainer, recognizing the gravity, referred Paschal to a dermatologist for a biopsy. It confirms the presence of early-stage melanoma.
Josh faced this formidable challenge with unwavering positivity. Within weeks of diagnosis, he underwent two surgeries to eradicate the cancer, followed by a third to reconstruct his foot. A subsequent course of immunotherapy and medications aimed to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
Josh Paschal persevered through this arduous journey with the help of a strong support system, and the Lions’ selection of him with the 46th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft was the perfect illustration. The second-year vet finished with 16 tackles and two sacks in his rookie season, per On3.com.
Paschal shared an emotional story of his battle against cancer
Josh Paschal, the teammate of Amon-Ra St. Brown who was recently fined, is set to make a profound statement on Sunday as he dons custom cleats in support of the V Foundation. A cancer survivor at the young age of 23, Paschal’s journey has been one of triumph over adversity.
His specially crafted cleats feature a No. 9 on his right foot and a No. 3 on his left, serving as a poignant reminder of his victorious battle against the disease.
Taking to Instagram, Paschal shared a deeply emotional story, baring the vulnerability of his past by revealing the location where cancer once resided. In this heartfelt message, he expressed profound gratitude to the V Foundation for playing a pivotal role in aiding his conquest over the devastating illness.
These custom cleats not only symbolize Paschal’s personal victory but also stand as a ray of hope for those facing similar struggles.
However, when the 8-3 Lions, led by Josh Paschal, take the field against the Saints, his cleats will symbolize triumph and honor the resilience of cancer survivors.
