Josh Paschal Explains How He Mentally Handles Injury Risks

Detroit Lions' Josh Paschal is living out his dream of playing in the NFL.

Detroit Lions rookie defensive lineman Josh Paschal recorded two sacks against the Chicago Bears in the Lions' home finale Sunday. 

Along with Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston, the team is quite optimistic moving forward that the defensive line will be formidable for the next several years. 

Despite individual and team success, the week was started on a much more serious and somber note at the team's practice facility. 

More: Why Aaron Rodgers Needs to Worry About James Houston

The team started its week reflecting on the cardiac arrest suffered by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Monday Night Football. 

"We really started the meeting with, we started with a prayer," said Detroit head coach Dan Campbell. "We had (co-director of player engagement) Sean Pugh come up, and we gave a prayer. And, all of us in the room came together and did that, and then we moved on. And, we just felt like that was the best thing to do. That was the right thing to do."

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For Paschal and many of the players on the roster, the inherent risk of playing a violent sport is always present and thought about, but must be put aside in order to perform at a high level and to avoid serious injuries. 

"It's something that comes with football that's the side of it that nobody really talks about," Paschal told All Lions. "But, it's also something that when it happens, it's more than football. After that, it's about somebody's life. And so, it's hard to be able to juggle that,  as far as between football and life. But, when it gets to that point where somebody is fighting for their life, it's more than football.

"It's a realization that that can happen to you," Paschal continued. "But, you just got to think about what your dream is and what you want to do. And, this has been my dream since I was a kid. So, it's something, of course, that is hard to see and hard to put into realization. That it is something that can really happen. But, at the end of the day, I'm thankful to be in the position I'm in."

Football players are wired to compartmentalize all facets of the game, including their own personal feelings. 

In recent years, teams have allocated a significant amount of resources to ensure the mental health of the players remains a priority, just as much as their physical health. 

“I do think if something like that happened to me, I would probably be done. That would be enough," said fullback Jason Cabinda. "You would think seeing it happen to someone else would be enough, but you love the game. That’s the reality. Whether that’s right or that's wrong, whether that makes us sick or crazy for loving it, that’s who we are.”