Paschal was born in Atlanta, Georgia and attended Tech High School, where he played football and track.

[1] He then played briefly at Georgia Tech before injuring his knee.

After the injury, he left school and went to work as a railroad switchman in Georgia.

[1] He became the first player to win consecutive rushing championships in the NFL, gaining 572 yards on 147 carries in his rookie year and 737 yards on 196 rushes in his second year.

[1] Paschal was then traded to the Boston Yanks during the 1947 season and played through 1948, before retiring.