Robert Willett - rwillett@newsobserver.com
Dwight Jones practices with the Tar Heels on Wednesday after he was cleared to play in Monday's Independence Bowl.
The NCAA cleared North Carolina receiver Dwight Jones to play in the Independence Bowl, Tar Heels coach Everett Withers said Wednesday.
North Carolina got word from the NCAA that Jones had been cleared before practice - the Tar Heels' final one here before they leave today for Shreveport, La., where they will play against Missouri on Monday.
North Carolina had declared Jones ineligible after he allowed his name and likeness to be used to promote a New Year's Eve birthday party in his honor at a club in Burlington, his hometown. By allowing his name and image to be used on a flier promoting the party, Jones had committed a secondary NCAA violation.
After the flier surfaced Monday on the popular sports website Deadspin.com, Withers and other North Carolina officials began talks with the NCAA about Jones' status. North Carolina announced on Tuesday that it had ruled Jones ineligible, and that it had applied with the NCAA for his reinstatement.
"It was very matter of fact," Withers said of the conversations with the NCAA. "But we felt like we could get something done pretty quick."
Jones, a senior, has been North Carolina's leading receiver for the past two seasons. Entering the Independence Bowl, he has caught 79 passes for 1,119 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Withers said he and his staff had started to plan to compete in the bowl without Jones.
"But thankfully we don't have to do that," Withers said. "... I'm very happy."
In a statement released by the university Tuesday, Jones apologized and said the party had been canceled.
"I apologize to my teammates, the coaching staff and the university for the poor decision I made to allow my likeness to be used in the promotion of a party given by a family member while still a part of the Carolina football team," Jones said in the statement.
