Today the Tar Heels aren't just playing to win, they're playing for Tylee

CHAPEL HILL, NC –– Since March 14, 2022, former UNC wideout Tylee Craft has been battling Stage 4 lung cancer. His journey has become a rallying point for the entire football program, inspiring players, coaches and fans alike with his unwavering spirit and his determination.

This past weekend, Craft was scheduled to attend the game against Pittsburgh. Instead, he made an unexpected trip to UNC Hospital.

Head coach Mack Brown addressed reporters about Craft's condition with a cracking voice and tear-filled eyes:

“We need everyone's thoughts and prayers as he fights and continues to fight through some of these things,” Brown pleaded, uncertainty clouding his usually confident demeanor. “Tylee must remain in our thoughts and prayers.”

Despite the relentless spread of cancer throughout his body and brain, which has limited his mobility in recent weeks, Craft's commitment to his team has never wavered. Whether using a cane or a power wheelchair, he was always present at most games and didn't let his physical problems stop him from helping out
his teammates.

Last summer he switched from active player to student coach. His diagnosis hasn't stopped him from attending almost every meeting, practice, practice or team activity. UNC Hospitals' proximity to the team's facility has enabled his continued commitment and eased the strain on his ailing body.

All week, Coach Brown has worn his #TyleeStrong t-shirt, a visible reminder of the young man's struggle.

Today, against Georgia Tech, the entire team is honoring Tylee and his continued fight. The game has become more than just a competition; It's a tribute to Craft's indomitable spirit.

Despite his own struggles, Craft has found the strength to support others. When his teammate and UNC tight end at Cal Tierney was diagnosed with nodular lymphocyte-dominant Hodgkin lymphoma, it was Tylee who stepped up. Drawing on his own experiences, he guided Cal through chemotherapy and offered him invaluable emotional support—a gesture made all the more poignant by Craft's unique ability to truly empathize with Tierney's situation.

During this challenging journey, Tylee and his mother September found solace at the SECU Family House. This extended-stay facility provides essential services such as housing, meals and transportation for UNC Hospital patients struggling with serious illnesses. The support offered by SECU Family House has been instrumental in helping Craft maintain his connection to the team.

Today's game, coinciding with Cancer Awareness Month, is dedicated to Tylee Craft. Every player and coach wears a T-shirt honoring Tylee, both during the team's traditional walk to the clock tower and as they prepare for the game. The sea of ​​#TyleeStrong shirts serves as a powerful visual reminder of the young man who has become the heart of this team.

Craft's teammate and close friend JJ Jones will honor Craft today by wearing his jersey during the game.

When the Tar Heels take the field today, they carry with them not only the hope of victory, but also the inspiring resilience of Tylee Craft. His fight has become her fight, his strength, her motivation. Faced with life's toughest challenges, Tylee Craft and the UNC football team have shown that true teamwork extends far beyond the gridiron.

Prayers for Tylee, his family and his health continue to extend throughout the Tar Heel Nation. Today they're not just playing to win – they're playing for Tylee.