Josh Paschal: No Feet, No Hands, No Problem

What do you call a guy with no arms and no legs on a football field? Josh Paschal.

The Kentucky senior defensive end is the epitome of toughness. A cancer survivor that continues to improve, defensive coordinator Brad White is continually inspired by Paschal’s attitude.

“His attitude, his toughness, his discipline, his pride every single day no matter what the circumstance, he comes in and he’s the definition of toughness,” White told a crowd of alumni gathered at Churchill Downs for Monday’s UK Football Kickoff Luncheon.

“There are some guys that have an innate toughness that you would really have to chop both of his feet off and his hands he’ll still probably pull himself onto the field. You’ll have to drag him off the field.

“When you see a guy that’s that ‘for the team‘ — he doesn’t do it for Josh Paschal. He does it for the ten other guys, he does it for the coaching staff, he does it for you guys, he does it for UK. He takes great pride in that logo on the side of his helmet. When you see that you can’t help but be inspired and want to work harder.”

The Kentucky defense is in good hands ahead of the fall 2021 campaign with Paschal and Yusuf Corker leading the way. White believes the leaders of the group are poised to take their game to a new level once the season kicks off Sept. 4.

“They’ve been consistent contributors for this defense and not just from a play-style, but from a leadership standpoint. Over the last several years we’ve put a lot on their shoulders. Really looking forward to those guys taking that final step. They’ve been really, good, solid football players,” said White.

There were a few other noteworthy moments from Monday’s event on Millionaire’s Row.

Coen’s Baby Break

Typically Mark Stoops is accompanied by his offensive and defensive coordinators to prominent speaking engagements. Today Vince Marrow subbed in for Liam Coen. Kentucky’s new play-caller is in the delivery room with his fiancee, waiting for the birth of his first child.

Just days before the start of the season, Stoops recalled a football conflict with his firstborn. A defensive coordinator for Arizona at the time, he was on the phone with a local radio show for a weekly segment when he drove Chantelle to the hospital. “You gotta do what you gotta do,” he laughed.

Marrow filled in just fine. Introduced by emcee Kent Taylor as “a guy who keeps taking players from the city Louisville,” the Big Dog received the loudest ovation of the day.

No Bananas for Stoops

The Will Levis banana Tik Tok frenzy is out of control. Looking for a moment of levity to start the event, Taylor asked Stoops if he had ever duplicated Levis’ banana-eating feat.

He responded, “It doesn’t look very appealing.”

And with that, we have hit On3’s bad joke quota from one post. I’ll see myself out.