Jersey design contest winner, Levine Children’s patient is a Charlotte Knight for a day
When Nick Adair came down the hallway at Truist Field, he didn’t expect to be greeted with cheers and applause by rows of Charlotte Knights players.
He, his family and his best friend — flanked by the team’s mascot, Homer the Dragon — were given a warm welcome by the team members, who wore “#NICKSTRONG” T-shirts.
Adair, 16, is a patient at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital and the winner of the Knights’ annual jersey design contest. On Saturday, he was honored with a one-day contract with the team, which was to wear his jersey during its game against the Rochester Red Wings that evening.
Last year, Adair suffered a spinal cord injury when he jumped into a shallow pool, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. He currently uses a power wheelchair.
Team manager Chad Pinder called him “somebody who obviously has the grit and determination to handle adversity.”
“Those are the guys that you want in your clubhouse, those are the guys that lead the way,” he added.
Adair worked with the Knights’ graphic designer, Will Briggs, to translate his design onto the jerseys — replicas of which will be given out to the first 1,500 kids who attend Saturday night’s game.
“I really hope [the kids] take some consideration to learn about spinal cord [injuries] and hear about it, so people won’t make the same choice I did when I was out that night,” Adair told The Charlotte Observer.
The winning jersey design is black and lime green — the color for spinal cord injury awareness — with bone-shaped lettering. It also glows in the dark.
“Personally, this is the absolute highlight of my career,” said Briggs. “Nick’s a kid with crazy infectious energy, a big heart and a wicked creative mind, and I couldn’t be happier for him and his night.”
Adair joined the team for batting practice after his signing. Pinder also called Adair’s favorite baseball player, Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson, over FaceTime.
“I’m basically famous now,” Adair said to Olson. “I’ll be having to give you my autograph.”
The sense of humor reflects his attitude — his mother, Tonya Adair, called him “an upbeat person.”
“He’s wanting to eventually mentor people, because he was in such good spirits when the accident happened,” she said. “When somebody has the same type of accident he has, he’s aiming to help them get through it.”
His family said they wanted others to be inspired by Adair, and for him to have a good time.
Adair had one piece of advice for the Knights.
“Just get some hits for me,” he said. “Win the game.”