UNC WR Tylee Craft dies at 23 after 2-year battle with cancer

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FILE - North Carolina wide receiver Tylee Craft (13) walks the bench during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Sept. 16, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay, File)

Tylee Craft remained lively with UNC soccer after being identified with a uncommon type of stage 4 lung most cancers. (AP Photograph/Reinhold Matay, File)

North Carolina large receiver Tylee Craft died Saturday after a prolonged battle with most cancers, the college introduced. He was 23 years outdated.

Craft was identified with stage 4 massive cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung, a uncommon type of most cancers, on March 22, 2022, based on his GoFundMe. Per ESPN, the most cancers was discovered when UNC’s coaching employees took him to the hospital as a result of he had been combating debilitating again ache, resulting in an aggressive therapy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Sadly, the most cancers ultimately led to his liver, mind, and backbone. The situation pressured him to medically retire, however he remained lively with the Tar Heels program in a training function.

UNC’s assertion saying Craft’s demise:

It’s with love and fond reminiscences that we announce Tylee Craft has begun his journey on the opposite aspect.

Tylee meant a lot to so many and affected us in methods we’ll at all times be glad about. He was 1-of-1 and, whereas he received’t be with us in physique, he’ll be watching over us together with his endearing smile and infinite positivity.

On behalf of his household and our program, we sincerely thank everybody who supported Tylee throughout his battle with most cancers. It means greater than you recognize.

With love and affection, #TyleeStrongForever 🩵

Craft, a Sumter, S.C. native, joined the UNC program as a two-star recruit in the Class of 2020. He appeared in 11 video games whole as a freshman and sophomore.

UNC head coach Mack Brown told reporters after Saturday’s recreation, a 42-34 loss, that his employees knowledgeable gamers at follow Thursday that Craft had entered hospice and had solely days to stay. He praised the power Craft confirmed in his battle, which reportedly lasted far longer than his medical doctors anticipated:

“This younger man fought so arduous for his two-and-a-half years. The medical doctors instructed us he outlived what he ought to’ve and he did it with the spirit, and he did it with a smile on his face, and he did not miss a gathering, he did not miss follow, he coached these different younger folks. He is simply an unimaginable younger individual.

Brown was seen wiping away tears after sharing a long huge with Craft’s mother at the end of the first quarter.

UNC deemed Saturday as its Most cancers Consciousness Sport, with gamers and coaches sporting “Tylee Robust” shirts in the course of the staff’s Bell Tower stroll. The UNC basketball staff also wore the shirts before their scrimmage Saturday.

Huge receiver J.J. Jones wore Craft’s No. 13 jersey in the course of the Georgia Tech recreation, catching three passes for 64 yards and a landing. Jones posted one other tribute after the sport, as did large receivers coach Lonnie Galloway and athletic director Bubba Cunningham.




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