He was a NASCAR pit crew member and a ‘Survivor.’ Now Chase Rice is where he belongs.

Posted May 26, 2018
Chase Rice is nothing if not tough. Before he was lighting up the country music charts, Rice was one of the final three contestants on 2010’s “Survivor: Nicaragua.” Before that, he was a linebacker for UNC, where injury derailed NFL aspirations and led him to Charlotte with a group of former college athletes recruited to work as crew members for NASCAR. (Charlotte Observer)

Related: Football, Tar Heels in the NFL

Young Drake Maye: How a future Super Bowl QB shredded an NC youth football league
They still remember it today. Everyone who saw Drake Maye on a football field on Saturday mornings in Huntersville, N.C., from age 6 to 12,...
Wed Feb 4, 2026

Seattle Seahawks Activate LB Chazz Surratt From Injured Reserve Ahead Of Super Bowl LX
The Seahawks activated former North Carolina linebacker Chazz Surratt from injured reserve on Tuesday, adding back to the roster a key special teams player ahead...
Wed Feb 4, 2026

Drake Maye says he's 'turned a corner' with shoulder issue; no concern for Super Bowl LX
Concerns about Drake Maye's shoulder can be moved down to DEFCON 5, after the New England Patriots quarterback and coaching staff all downplayed the injury...
Tue Feb 3, 2026

Even Drake Maye’s dad is surprised by Patriots’ Super Bowl run
"Like everybody, I’m surprised they made the Super Bowl," Mark Maye said. "I thought they’d be better than what people were expecting. I’m a little...
Mon Feb 2, 2026