WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina

Spine injury ends career of UNC's Paschal

Nov 25, 2008

Chapel Hill, N.C. — North Carolina senior linebacker Mark Paschal sustained a cervical spine injury in the Tar Heels’ game Saturday against N.C. State, UNC announced Tuesday afternoon.

Paschal was examined on the sideline in the second half and had an MRI on Sunday. Based on the findings of his exam and the MRI, UNC's Sports Medicine staff recommended that he stop playing football because he could be hurt again.

Paschal is expected to make a full recovery with no long-term effects.

Carolina plays its final regular-season game at Duke Saturday.

“Our first concern is the health of Mark Paschal,” head coach Butch Davis said in a statement. “Our sports medicine staff has assured him and his parents that he will make a complete recovery. Mark has had a terrific senior season, has been a great leader for us and is on track to graduate in May. I appreciate how hard he has worked over the last two years to re-energize our program. Mark will continue to be an important part of our team for the remainder of the season.”

A middle linebacker from Charlotte, Paschal has not missed a game in his career, playing in 47 consecutive contests. He is North Carolina’s leading tackler with 103 stops, including 65 primary hits. This season, he also has 6.5 tackles for losses, two sacks, two interceptions, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He was voted a team captain this year.