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

Josh Downs among 50 under-the-radar players who could shape the 2026 NFL season
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is an undersized, slot-only speedster who will take on a bigger role this season. After averaging 11.2 yards per...
Mon Jul 27, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - 2026 UNC Football Preview with Phil Steele
Phil Steele joins Inside Carolina’s Tommy Ashley and Spencer Haskell to highlight the process of covering every FBS school with extensive analysis in the transfer...
Mon Jul 27, 2026

Julius Peppers Was a Star Before He Stepped on the Field - The Scouting Report That Proved It
I travelled to North Carolina for the Tar Heels' regular-season finale against Duke in November of 2001 to personally scout Julius Peppers. At the morning...
Mon Jul 27, 2026

Bill Belichick calls for uniform rules across NFL, NCAA; tampering enforcement
Bill Belichick advocated for the NFL and NCAA to work together to standardize football rules between the levels. "You watch multiple games on Saturday and...
Mon Jul 27, 2026