Lions’ Josh Paschal discusses why he feels like it was his destiny to play in Detroit.

When he was studying at university Josh Paschal’s football career has been very popular. He was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in his left foot.

“Of course it will disappoint you when you first hear it. I would be lying if I said it was easy at first,” the Detroit Lions defensive player said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

But he came back and played himself into becoming a second-round pick in 2022, which he felt was destiny.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM

Detroit Lions defensive end Josh Paschal (93) runs during the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings on October 20, 2024 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. (Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“It is amazing to be surrounded by such great leadership. Our front desk our head coach It’s the best team I’ve ever been on…. This was an amazing experience. This is the closest group I’ve had since I Playing this group of football, this team just loves each other. We went through hardships but embraced this city and its culture of overcoming obstacles and adversity,” Pascal said.

That last sentence fits Pascal to a T, as he was diagnosed with cancer. “It’s literally the worst thing that can happen to you in life.”

But his head coach, Dan Campbell, takes it all seriously.

“Coach Campbell says this all the time. He said that everyone in this room is here for a reason,” and I feel like that’s the reason I’m here. I have truly seen it in person: it is the worst thing that can happen to you in life. And I’m thankful that God guided me through that whole situation,” Pascal said. “But I feel like everyone in this room Everyone in our team room when we have a team meeting. Or whether it’s the coach or his players. They went through hardships. They know how to get through it and they have high character.”

Detroit Lions defenseman Josh Paschal (93) runs onto the field during player introductions before the start of an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions on January 7, 2024 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Scott W. Grau/Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)

‘Jeopardy!’ Contestants confused by final clue RIPPING JETS’ SUPER BOWL DROUGHT

Earlier this year, Paschal represented the Jimmy V Foundation as part of the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” campaign. He became more familiar with the foundation last year. and want to be part of the team

“That was something my brother put on my radar. And I researched this. Then I saw his famous ‘never give up’ quote in his ESPY speech and I was really inspired and moved by that and that really pushed me to want to work with them,” Pascal said.

After feeling sorry for his football fate after the diagnosis He said his family, friends and faith “Slap me out of that.”

“And that was an opportunity for me to use Jimmy V’s mantra, ‘Never give up,’ that allowed me to keep fighting. Because I feel like that idea carries through to everything in life, but it’s also directly related to when you’re fighting cancer.”

Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during the NFL preseason football game between the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (John Byrum/Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Paschal may now be less than two months away from leading the Lions’ first Super Bowl.

“I just feel better. Keep getting better You want to play your best football until January. So we will continue to grow every week. Show your next work Both sides played well, we gave up, had too many points in the last game. So we have to come back. But the important thing for a team like ours is how we bounce back.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s Sports coverage onand apply for membership Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter–