Tylee Craft of the University of North Carolina dies of lung cancer

Tylee Craft, a 23-year-old winger from the University of North Carolina, died on October 12 after a battle with cancer.

According to a press release shared by UNC, he she fought the disease for 2 years.

Head football coach Mack Brown said in an announcement that Craft had outlived his doctors’ expectations.

“This young man fought so hard during his two and a half years that the doctors told us he survived so long as he must have. And he did it with the Spirit, he did it with a smile on his face, he didn’t miss a gathering, he didn’t miss a training session, he trained other young people. I mean, she’s just a tremendous young person.

Brown also described the emotion during Craft’s tribute at the end of the first quarter of the Tar Heels’ game against Georgia Tech.

“I usually hide my emotions as best as I can because I have to, because I have to be someone else. And that team and Tylee were stronger than my feelings, so I had to go back and make sure that… I mean, JJ Jones was crying when I went back there, the kids were crying too,” Brown said.

Brown continued: “You get into the mode of doing whatever you need to do at that moment to get it done. I thought we would score a goal and win the game. I thought what a great tribute this would be to Tylee, even though I didn’t know he had died at the time. If we had won the game they would have been on a very high note and it would have been terribly depressing to celebrate when we told them they had lost a friend. Either way, it’s a tough one.”

The game at UNC’s Kenan Stadium was already dedicated to Craft, because it was designated the Cancer Awareness Game in honor of his battle with a rare form of lung cancer.

In 2022, the same 12 months he was diagnosed with lung cancer, Craft received the Disney Spirit Award, given to the most inspirational figure in college football. Jones, who Coach Brown mentioned, wore Craft’s No. 13 jersey and scored a touchdown in the game.

Although the Tar Heels lost the game 34-41, the players, in line with their coach, in the spirit of cancer awareness, took the extra step of calling someone and dedicating their season, practices and work in the classroom to him.

The University of North Carolina also provided a link to the file GoFundMe fundraising for Craft’s carewhich, at the time of writing, has raised $81,841, reaching its $100,000 goal.

According to the fundraiser, “Tylee Craft is an extraordinary young man who has been valiantly battling a rare form of cancer, stage 4 large cell neuroendocrine lung cancer, since March 14, 2022. This aggressive cancer has spread to his liver, brain and spine, and yet Tylee remains a beacon of hope and positivity for everyone around him.”

The university posted its own statement on Twitter, thanking Craft’s supporters. “It is with love and fond memories that we announce that Tylee Craft has begun his journey on the other side,” the university said.

The University of North Carolina continued: “Tylee meant so much to so many people and influenced us in ways for which we will always be grateful. He was 1 on 1 and although he won’t be with us physically, he will be watching over us with his winning smile and endless positive attitude.”