‘I gotta be strong:’ Injury and fatherhood have changed the Panthers’ Elijah Hood

Posted Jun 8, 2019
Ten months ago, a knee injury in Carolina’s last preseason game threatened to strip Elijah Hood of the chance to play for his hometown Panthers, propelling him into a period of pain and doubt. But three weeks after his surgery, his son Elisha was born. If the player needed added motivation to throw himself into his recovery, it was now sitting in his lap. (Charlotte Observer)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

UNC Football's collapse at Clemson looms larger with difficult schedule ahead
The loss to Clemson on Saturday was a critical blow as North Carolina (2-1, 0-1 ACC Standings) missed a prime opportunity to enter October undefeated...
Tue Sep 22, 2026

Audio: 100 Years of Kenan Stadium - Let There Be Light!
As hard as it is to believe now, Kenan Stadium existed for more than a half-century without permanent light fixtures. As UNC football historian Lee...
Tue Sep 22, 2026

North Carolina Safety Greg Smith's Playmaking Earns National Recognition
Three games into the season, Greg Smith is developing a habit of finding the football. And now his play is earning national recognition. PFF named...
Mon Sep 21, 2026

Tar Heels in NFL: Hampton, Downs have big days; Maye wins but unsatisfied
Several former North Carolina football players turned in strong NFL Week 2 performances, topped by Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton and Indianapolis Colts...
Mon Sep 21, 2026