North Carolina wide receiver Tylee Craft died after a battle with lung cancer on Saturday, the school announced.
He was 23 years old.
“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,” UNC wrote in a statement.
After signing with the school before the 2020 season, Craft played in 11 games for the Tar Heels before being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in March 2022.
The Tar Heels honored Craft before their game against Georgia Tech on Saturday with a pregame tribute.
Fellow UNC wide receiver J.J. Jones wore Craft’s No. 13 in his honor.
UNC head coach Mack Brown said the team wasn’t aware of his passing until the end of Saturday’s game, but they had their chance to say goodbye earlier this week.
“We said to the players on Thursday at practice that he was going to hospice. They all know what that means,” Brown said Saturday. “So they all ran to see him. Hugged him, talked to him, laughed with him.”
