
(StraightShooterNews.com) – Beloved University of North Carolina (UNC) football player star Tylee Craft tragically died at the young age of 23 after battling a rare form of lung cancer.
See the tweet below.
Craft, a wide receiver for the Tar Heels, was diagnosed with large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma on March 14, 2022.
This rare and aggressive form of lung cancer struck the young athlete in his prime, shocking the UNC community and the broader world of college football.
Despite the grim prognosis, Craft’s determination to fight the disease and continue his education inspired many.
The UNC football program announced Craft’s death with a heartfelt message on their official X account, prompting an outpouring of support from fans and fellow athletes.
Throughout his battle with cancer, the football star remained an integral part of the UNC football family. He attended team meetings, workouts, and practices, serving as a student coach and inspiration to his teammates.
Moreover, his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity earned him the Disney Spirit Award in 2022 and a place on the Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Team.
“This young man fought so hard for his two and a half years,” North Carolina football coach Mack Brown said.
He then added, “The doctors told us he outlived what he should’ve. And he did it with spirit, he did it with a smile on his face, he didn’t miss a meeting, he didn’t miss practice, he coached these other incredible young people.”
Meanwhile, the UNC community rallied around Craft during his battle, using the #TyleeStrong hashtag to show their support.
In a touching tribute, the university honored Craft during a football game against Georgia Tech, which coincided with their annual Cancer Awareness Game.
Friends and family were recognized in an on-field ceremony, and wide receiver J.J. Jones wore Craft’s jersey, scoring a touchdown in his honor.
Despite the outpouring of support, the late football player’s untimely death raised concerns about the healthcare provided to student-athletes.
Many are now calling for more comprehensive health screenings and preventive measures to be implemented in college sports programs nationwide.
“You wouldn’t know to this day that he had cancer if you didn’t know,” wide receivers coach Lonnie Galloway stated.
“He carries himself greatly as far as, he comes to practice, he goes to meetings, he goes to get treatment, he comes back to practice. I’ll say, ‘You know, Tylee, you don’t have to be here.’ He’ll say, ‘Coach, I need to be here,'” he added.
As the UNC community mourns the loss of Tylee Craft, his legacy of courage and determination will undoubtedly live on.
However, his passing should also spark a serious conversation about the need for better health monitoring and support for student-athletes.
UNC WR Tylee Craft dies at 23 after battle with lung cancer https://t.co/7QgBwg4Jht
— College Football (@CollegeFootball) October 12, 2024
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