UNC WR Tylee Craft Dies at 23 After Being Diagnosed with Lung Cancer

The University of North Carolina announced Saturday that wide receiver Tylee Craft, 23, died after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

"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," the school said in its statement.

The Tar Heels honored Craft, who was diagnosed in 2022, before Saturday's contest, which was singled out as the Cancer Awareness Game. His family was also brought onto the field.

Wide receiver J.J. Jones also wore Craft's No. 13 jersey.

Jones called Craft, a native of Sumter, South Carolina, a "legend" in his home state and said "God blessed me with another brother."

Head coach Mack Brown said he and the team weren't made aware of Craft's death until after their 41-34 loss to Georgia Tech.

Craft signed with UNC ahead of the 2020 season. He made 11 appearances through his sophomore campaign before his Stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis forced him to put his football career on hold.

ESPN's Anna Katherine Clemmons wrote in August about how Craft maintained a regular presence around the program after shifting to a student coach role. He continued to attend team meetings, workouts and practices.

"You wouldn't know to this day that he had cancer if you didn't know," wide receivers coach Lonnie Galloway said to Clemmons. "He carries himself greatly as far as, he comes to practice, he goes to meetings, he goes to get treatment, he comes back to practice. I'll say, 'You know, Tylee, you don't have to be here.' He'll say, 'Coach, I need to be here.'"

Brown told reporters following UNC's 34-24 defeat to Pittsburgh on Oct. 5 that Craft had been hospitalized amid his ongoing battle.