Tylee Craft, whose long bout with cancer galvanized and inspired his teammates on the Tar Heel football team, died Saturday. He was 23 years old.
The UNC program shared the news in a social media postin a social media post shortly after its game with Georgia Tech was finished.
Craft, originally from Sumter, S.C., came to Carolina as a four-star wide receiver prospect and enrolled at the school in January of 2020. He appeared in 11 games over the next two seasons.
Craft was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer in March of 2022 and immediately began chemotherapy at UNC’s Lineberger Cancer Center. Over the course of Craft’s fight, the football program paid numerous tributes to him, including helmet stickers bearing his No. 13 jersey and naming their 2022 spring game in his honor. Craft received the 2022 Disney Spirit Award as “the most inspirational figure in college football.”
During his treatment, Craft continued to be a steady presence around the UNC football facilities, attending every practice, meeting and game he could. He earned his undergraduate degree from UNC in the spring of 2024 and began work toward a graduate degree in the fall. Craft had previously told Chapelboro his goal was to be a scout in the NFL.
Featured image via UNC Football on Instagram
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