Tylee Craft from North Carolina dies at age 23 after battling cancer

CNN
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University of North Carolina wide receiver Tylee Craft has died at age 23 after a battle with cancer, the school announced Saturday.

A four-star recruit, Craft played two seasons for the Tar Heels – 2020 and 2021. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in March 2022.

“It is with love and fond memories that we announce that Tylee Craft has begun his journey on the other side,” the school said in a news release. “Tylee meant so much to so many and influenced us in ways for which we will always be grateful. He was a loner and even though he won't be with us physically, he will watch over us with his loving smile and endless positivity.”

In 2022, Craft received the Disney Spirit Award, given to the most inspirational figure in college football.

The school honored Craft before Saturday's game against Georgia Tech at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown hugged Craft's mother during a tribute that included 13 seconds of applause in Craft's honor.

Wide receiver JJ Jones wore Craft's No. 13 jersey.

After the game, an emotional Brown, wearing a “Tyler Strong” jersey with the large No. 13 in the middle, called it “difficult” to tell a team their teammate passed after the 41-34 loss.

“You have to figure out how to tell a group – how difficult it is to tell a group of young people about one of their best friends, and it triggers a lot of things that other people have had in their lives,” Brown told reporters. “It's a very, very difficult time for them and at the same time you're doing it in the locker room right after losing a heartbreaking game. So they fight. …

“This young man fought so hard in his two and a half years. The doctors told us he had survived, which he should have, and he did it with a ghost. And he did it with a smile on his face. And he didn't miss a meeting, he didn't miss a training session. He coached these other young guys. He’s just an incredible young person.”