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UNC Football's Tylee Craft dies after a lengthy battle with cancer

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UNC Football's Tylee Craft dies after a lengthy battle with cancer

UNC Football's Tylee Craft dies after a lengthy battle with cancer

Tylee Craft, whose long battle with cancer galvanized and inspired his teammates on the Tar Heel football team, died Saturday. He was 23 years old.

“We told the players at training on Thursday that he was going into hospice. You all know what that means,” head coach Mack Brown said after UNC’s game against Georgia Tech on Saturday afternoon. “So they all ran to see him. Hugged him, talked to him, laughed with him.”

Craft, originally from Sumter, S.C., came to Carolina as a four-star prospect wide receiver and enrolled at the school in January 2020. He played eleven games over the next two seasons.

Craft was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer in March 2022 and immediately began chemotherapy at UNC Lineberger Cancer Center. Over the course of Craft's fight, the football program paid him numerous honors, including helmet decals featuring his No. 13 jersey and naming the 2022 spring game in his honor. Craft received the 2022 Disney Spirit Award as “the most inspirational figure in college football.”

Throughout his treatment, Craft continued to be a constant presence at the UNC football facilities, attending every practice, meeting and game he could. He earned his bachelor's degree from UNC in spring 2024 and began working on a master's degree in the fall. Craft had previously told Chapelboro that his goal was to become a scout in the NFL.

“Although he won’t be with us physically,” the show’s statement reads, “he will watch over us with his endearing smile and endless positivity.”

“It’s a wonderful lesson for all of us,” Brown said. “Because he is what he is, what he stood for at 23 years old. He’s tough… I never heard him complain once.”

Featured image via UNC Football on Instagram

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UNC Football's Tylee Craft dies after a lengthy battle with cancer

UNC Football's Tylee Craft dies after a lengthy battle with cancer

Tylee Craft, whose long battle with cancer galvanized and inspired his teammates on the Tar Heel football team, died Saturday. He was 23 years old. With love and fond memories, we announce that Tylee Craft has begun his journey on the other side. Tylee meant so much to so many and touched us (…)

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