CHAPEL HILL --- The 10-piece chicken tenders, one large fry, and a lemonade. This is North Carolina junior defensive tackle Nazair Jones’ typical order at Hardee’s.
On a blistering hot day in the summer of 2012, the order had to be canceled. Instead it was exchanged for a scholarship offer—one that other universities were hesitant to serve. Their hesitance stemmed from Jones’ past diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome, a chronic disease that affects the nervous system.
After a year-long bout with the syndrome and numerous trips to the UNC Children’s Hospital, Jones received an offer from head football coach Larry Fedora.