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Heather Dinich, ESPN Senior Writer
North Carolina wide receiver Tylee Craft died Saturday morning following a lengthy battle with cancer, the school announced.
Craft, 23, of Sumter, South Carolina, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer on March 14, 2022. The UNC community had rallied behind him with the #TyleeStrong hashtag since his diagnosis. He had undergone numerous treatments, but the cancer spread through his body and brain. Still, he had enrolled in graduate courses toward his master’s degree in applied professional studies and graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science/sports administration.
North Carolina’s football team released the following statement Saturday afternoon, following its 41-34 loss to Georgia Tech:
“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 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. On behalf of his family and the Tar Heel football program, we sincerely thank everyone who supported Tylee during his battle with cancer. It means more than you know.”
Craft had been struggling with debilitating back pain, so UNC’s athletic training staff took him to the hospital in 2022 for more testing to determine the cause of it. That’s when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. He immediately began an aggressive treatment of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
According to UNC, when Craft was diagnosed, his family said doctors told them he was just weeks away from dying.
In 2022, Craft was recognized with the Disney Spirit Award, presented annually to college football’s most inspirational individual or team. He was also one of five college athletes named to the Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Team that year.
According to the Fayetteville Observer, UNC receiver J.J. Jones wore Craft’s No. 13 jersey against Georgia Tech on Saturday and scored a touchdown in the first half.
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