North Carolina’s Tylee Craft dies at 23 after cancer battle

CNN
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College of North Carolina broad receiver Tylee Craft has died on the age of 23 after a most cancers battle, the varsity introduced on Saturday.

Craft, a four-star recruit, performed two seasons for the Tar Heels – in 2020 and 2021. He was identified with Stage 4 lung most cancers in March 2022.

“It’s with love and fond recollections that we announce Tylee Craft has begun his journey on the opposite facet,” the varsity mentioned in a launch. “Tylee meant a lot to so many and affected us in methods we’ll all the time be grateful for. He was 1-of-1 and, whereas he gained’t be with us in physique, he’ll be watching over us along with his endearing smile and limitless positivity.”

In 2022, Craft was the recipient of the Disney Spirit Award, which is given to essentially the most inspirational determine in faculty soccer.

The college honored Craft forward of Saturday’s recreation in opposition to Georgia Tech at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown embraced Craft’s mom throughout a tribute that included 13 seconds of applause to honor Craft.

Extensive receiver JJ Jones wore Craft’s No. 13 jersey.

After the sport, an emotional Brown, whereas sporting a “Tyler Robust” shirt with a giant #13 within the middle, known as it a “troublesome factor” to inform a crew that their teammate handed after their 41-34 loss.

“It’s a must to determine the right way to inform a gaggle – what a troublesome factor to inform a gaggle of younger individuals about certainly one of their greatest mates, and it triggers lots of issues that different individuals had of their lives,” Brown advised reporters. “It’s a really, very troublesome time for them and on the identical time, you do it in a dressing room proper after you misplaced a heartbreaking recreation. So, they’re struggling. …

“This younger man fought so onerous for his two and a half years. The medical doctors advised us he outlived what he ought to have, and he did it with a spirit. And he did it with a smile on his face. And he didn’t miss a gathering, he didn’t miss follow. He coached these different younger individuals. He’s simply an unimaginable younger particular person.”