North Carolina football player Tylee Craft passed away on Saturday morning from a rare type of lung cancer, as announced by coach Mack Brown.
Brown shared this news during his postgame press conference after the Tar Heels’ loss to Georgia Tech. Craft was only 23 years old.
“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.”
The team honored Craft during Saturday’s game, which was also their annual Cancer Awareness Game. Friends and family wearing shirts with Craft’s name and number were recognized in a ceremony on the field.
Wide receiver J.J. Jones wore Craft’s jersey with his No. 13 during the game against the Yellow Jackets.
Brown mentioned that he learned about Craft’s death after the game but felt something was wrong after sharing an emotional hug with Craft’s mother at the end of the first quarter.
“I think the family feels the love and they’ll continue to feel the love,” Brown said. “What we’ve got to do is be strong and pray for strength for us as leaders, to help these guys on the field and off the field.
So more than ever before I have got to step up and be stronger for them and make sure that I can help them manage the stuff and move forward in their lives.”
UNC football also shared Craft’s death in a statement on social media and later released a tribute video in his memory. Additionally, the UNC men’s basketball team wore shirts with Craft’s name and number during their intrasquad scrimmage at the Smith Center after the football game, and they held a moment of silence in Craft’s honor before the scrimmage.
Tylee Craft, who was from Sumter, South Carolina, played in seven games as a receiver and on special teams during his first year in 2020, and in four games in 2021 before he was diagnosed. Even after his diagnosis, he stayed close to the team and remained involved.
“Tylee meant so much to so many and affected us in ways we’ll always be thankful for,” the football program’s statement said. “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.”
