North Carolina football player Tylee Craft passed away this weekend from a rare form of lung cancer. He was 23.
Tar Heels’ Coach Mack Brown announced the grim news Saturday after his team’s loss to Georgia Tech.
“This young man fought so hard for his two and a half years,” Brown said.
“The doctors told us he outlived what he should’ve. And he did it with the spirit, he did it with a smile on his face, he didn’t miss a meeting, he didn’t miss practice, he coached these other incredible young people.”
Craft, a Sumter, South Carolina native, played in seven games at receiver as a freshman and four games in 2021 before his cancer diagnosis.
Despite his health struggles, he remained present in the UNC football program and close to his team.
“Tylee meant so much to so many and affected us in ways we’ll always be thankful for,” a football program’s statement read.
“He was 1-of-1 and, while he won’t be with us in body, he’ll be watching over us with his endearing smile and endless positivity.”
