Tylee Craft (October 1, 2001 – October 12, 2024) was an American college football player who competed as a wide receiver for the University of North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels.[2] Known for his involvement on special teams and offensive plays, Craft joined UNC in 2020 after graduating from Sumter High School in Sumter, South Carolina.[3][4]
| Position | Wide receiver |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Born: | October 1, 2001 Sumter, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died: | October 12, 2024 (aged 23) Pittsboro, North Carolina, U.S.[1] |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
|
| High school | Sumter (Sumter, South Carolina) |
Early life
editA native of Sumter, South Carolina, Craft was born on October 1, 2001.[2][5] He attended Sumter High School, where he was a standout football player.[6] He accumulated 59 catches, 993 yards and 11 touchdowns during his junior and senior seasons at Sumter. In his junior year, Sumter's football team had a 10–1 record and made it to the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs.[7]
College career
editCraft appeared in several games during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, contributing both on offense and special teams for the North Carolina Tar Heels football team. However, before the 2022 season, he was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer, Stage 4 large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, which required him to step back from active play.[8] Despite his illness, Craft remained closely connected to the football program, attending practices and offering support to teammates as a student coach throughout his treatment.[9] He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May 2024.[10]
Recognition and retirement
editIn recognition of his courage, Craft received the 2022 Disney Spirit Award, presented annually to the most inspirational player in college football. He was named to the Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion team, honored as an ambassador for the White Ribbon Project, and nominated for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award.[11] He was recognized by the V Foundation.[12]
Although he hoped to return to the field, Craft announced his retirement from football in July 2024, focusing on his health and family.[13][14]
Death and legacy
editCraft died of lung cancer on October 12, 2024, at the age of 23.[1][15]
His death was marked by tributes from the UNC football community, including a ceremony during a game on Cancer Awareness Day.[16] The team honored Craft by featuring his jersey number and continuing the "Tylee Strong" initiative.[9] UNC announced plans to name a nutrition center after him, ensuring his legacy remains part of the university's athletic program.[17] Coach Mack Brown had a close relationship with Craft.[18]
References
edit- ^ a b "Obituary for Tylee Hezekiah Craft". Jobs Mortuary. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ a b "Tylee Craft". Tar Heel Times. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ "Tylee Craft Selected for Disney Spirit Award". Sumter High School.
- ^ "Former Sumter High star Craft medically retiring amid cancer battle". The Sumter Item. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ Koh, Michael (October 14, 2024). "Remembering Tylee Craft: Tar Heel, Fighter, 'Blessing From God'". Chapelboro.com. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ Bayer, Cassidy (October 15, 2024). "Tylee Craft's impact remembered as UNC and Sumter honor his legacy". wltx.com. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ Shapiro, Sam (October 17, 2024). "'Proud': Sumter native, UNC football player remembered as fighter until his last days". WisTV. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ Parks, James (March 23, 2022). "UNC wideout announces he has 'rare form of cancer'". College Football HQ. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Dinich, Heather (October 12, 2024). "Tar Heels WR Craft, 23, dies after cancer battle". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ "Tylee Craft still fighting after graduation from UNC". Tar Heel Times. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ Puia, Emily (September 18, 2024). "North Carolina's Tylee Craft Nominated For Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award". Capital One Orange Bowl. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ "Tylee Craft's Courageous Lung Cancer Journey". V Foundation. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ "Former College Football Player Tylee Craft Dies at 23 Following Lung Cancer Diagnosis: 'He Was 1-of-1'". People.com. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ "Continuing to Battle Cancer, UNC's Tylee Craft Retires From Football". northcarolina.rivals.com. July 19, 2024. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ Andrejev, Alex and Marks, Brendan (October 13, 2024). "UNC football's Tylee Craft dies after 2022 lung cancer diagnosis". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ Bonjour, Doug (October 12, 2024). "North Carolina football player Tylee Craft dies from rare lung cancer at 23". AP News. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ Morik, Ryan (October 12, 2024). "UNC player Tylee Craft dies at 23 of lung cancer; teammate scores touchdown wearing his jersey". Fox News. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ "Video: Mack Brown Discusses the Death of Tylee Craft". Tar Heel Times. Retrieved October 13, 2024.