Tylee Craft, a wide receiver at North Carolina, has passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer, the school announced Saturday. He was 23 years old.
Craft joined North Carolina football as a freshman in 2020, but he stepped away from the team before the 2022 season after being diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer. Still, Craft remained part of the program for the past three seasons.
"Tylee meant so much to so many and affected us in ways we’ll always be thankful for. 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," North Carolina said in a statement. "On behalf of his family and our program, we sincerely thank everyone who supported Tylee during his battle with cancer. It means more than you know."
It is with love and fond memories that we announce Tylee Craft has begun his journey on the other side.
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 12, 2024
Tylee meant so much to so many and affected us in ways we’ll always be thankful for. He was 1-of-1 and, while he won’t be with us in body, he’ll be watching over us with his… pic.twitter.com/UutVS5QSKk
Craft appeared in eight games for the Tar Heels in 2020 and 2021 at either wide receiver or on special teams. In 2022, Craft was awarded the 2022 Disney Spirit Award on ESPN’s College Football Awards for most inspirational college football athlete.
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North Carolina mourns the loss of Tylee Craft
The Tar Heels mourned Craft in many ways Saturday, including at the basketball team's Blue and White scrimmage.
In loving memory of Tylee Craft 🩵 #TyleeStrongForever pic.twitter.com/ixaSZY0TzB
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 12, 2024
Warmups for today's scrimmage in memory of Tylee Craft 🩵 #TyleeStrongForever https://t.co/zyo9Xr59pw pic.twitter.com/IZHxneXXsL
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) October 12, 2024
UNC honors WR Tylee Craft — who passed away Saturday after a long battle with cancer — before its Blue-White scrimmage. pic.twitter.com/XMYQYnEnTS
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) October 12, 2024
During UNC's football game against Georgia Tech, the team embraced Craft's mother on the field as the team honored him on the field.
Mack Brown embraced Tylee Craft’s mother throughout the 2-minute tribute to her son, then stepped back and waved his hands to lead a 13-second tribute to the Tar Heel who lost his life to cancer Saturday morning. Unspeakable grief today at Carolina. pic.twitter.com/liQRlRpvfM
— Lee Pace (@LeePaceTweet) October 12, 2024
After the game, head coach Mack Brown became emotional when addressing Craft's death.
This afternoon @UNCFootball head coach @CoachMackBrown broke the news to the media about the passing of Tylee Craft. pic.twitter.com/3VTMocuIcn
— Chris Clark (@ChrisClark_) October 12, 2024
"This young man fought so hard for his two-and-a-half years," Brown said. "He did it with a spirit, he did it with a smile on his face."
