UNC football mourns death of receiver Tylee Craft following battle with lung cancer | Sporting News

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 well always be thankful for.

He was 1-of-1 and, while he wont be with us in body, hell 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.

Tylee meant so much to so many and affected us in ways well always be thankful for.

He was 1-of-1 and, while he wont be with us in body, hell 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 ESPNs College Football Awards for most inspirational college football athlete.

NCAAF HQ: Live NCAAF scores | Updated NCAAF standings | Full NCAAF schedule 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 Warmups for today's scrimmage in memory of Tylee Craft #TyleeStrongForever https://t.co/zyo9Xr59pw pic.twitter.com/IZHxneXXsL UNC honors WR Tylee Craft who passed away Saturday after a long battle with cancer before its Blue-White scrimmage.

pic.twitter.com/XMYQYnEnTS 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 Crafts 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 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 "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.".

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