Back troubles derail Roger Heinz

Posted Apr 7, 2006

Disc degeneration, a common disorder of the lower spine, is a normal part of aging. It will affect most people and is generally not a problem by itself. Roger Heinz wishes his prognosis was as simple. There are days when Heinz, a junior at North Carolina, suffers from severe back and leg pain, has difficulty standing or walking and experiences weakness or numbness in his legs while sitting in class due to rapid disc degeneration. "I am 21 with the lower back of a 70-year-old," Heinz said. (Tallahassee Democrat)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Chapel Thrill Game Day To Feature Wide Variety Of Acts This Fall In Free Concert Series
Chapel Thrill Game Day, a fun and family-friendly event that brings together Tar Heel fans before every home football game, will return to UNC this...
Mon Aug 3, 2026

UNC Football looking to build 'North Carolina offense' in Bill Belichick's second season
As the Tar Heels build toward their season-opening game against TCU on Aug. 29 in Dublin, Ireland, they have a vision for how to improve...
Mon Aug 3, 2026

'No Set Timeline' For When UNC Will Name Starting Quarterback
While Bill Belichick said that there isn't a leader in the clubhouse for UNC's starting quarterback position, multiple sources confirmed in June that Billy Edwards...
Mon Aug 3, 2026

Newsletter: UNC Basketball Explores Wild New Portal Window, Football Opens Camp Amid Investigation
UNC Football kicked off training camp this past week, but the headlines weren’t about touchdowns. Basketball had its own bombshell: a court ruling reopened eligibility...
Mon Aug 3, 2026