University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heel Tylee Craft Passes Away At 23
October 12, 2024 | Football
It is with love and fond memories that we announce Tylee Craft has begun his journey to the other side.
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.
On behalf of his family and the Tar Heel football program, we sincerely thank everyone who supported Tylee during his battle with cancer. It means more than you know. With love and affection, #TyleeStrongForever
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UNC head coach Mack Brown on Tylee Craft:
"This young man fought so hard for his two-and-a-half years, the doctors told us he outlived what he should've. And he did it with the 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 young people. I mean, he's just an incredible young person."Â
Brown on his team's reaction:
"I think the family feels the love and they'll continue to feel the love. What we've got to do is be strong, and pray for strength for us as leaders, to help these guys on the field and off the field…so more than ever before, I have got to step up and be stronger for them and make sure that I can help them manage the stuff and move forward in their lives. I told them that I had a team win 13 games one time, and they did not learn nearly as many life lessons as this team will."
Brown on the ceremony for Craft at the end of the 1st quarter:
"I usually hide my emotions the best I can, because I need to, because I have to be somebody else. And that team and Tylee were bigger than my feelings, so I had to go back and make sure that…I mean J.J. Jones was crying, there were kids crying when I walked back down there.
"You kick into a mode of doing whatever you need to do at that time to make it. I thought we were going to score and win the game. I thought what a wonderful tribute that would be to Tylee, even though I didn't know that he had passed at that time. If we'd won the game, they would have been so high and celebrating it was going to be such a downer when we told them that they had lost their friend. It's a hard thing either way."
Brown on his perspective:
"What we all have to do is wake up and be happier and make sure that we reach out and help other people, and that's what cancer awareness games are about. The guys actually called somebody – and said I'm dedicating my classwork, my practice, my game, even if I'm a scout teamer that doesn't play – to you because I want you to know you matter."
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.
On behalf of his family and the Tar Heel football program, we sincerely thank everyone who supported Tylee during his battle with cancer. It means more than you know. With love and affection, #TyleeStrongForever
Â
In loving memory of Tylee Craft 🩵 #TyleeStrongForever pic.twitter.com/ixaSZY0TzB
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 12, 2024
UNC honors WR Tylee Craft — who passed away Saturday after a long battle with cancer — before its Blue-White scrimmage. pic.twitter.com/XMYQYnEnTS
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) October 12, 2024
UNC head coach Mack Brown on Tylee Craft:
"This young man fought so hard for his two-and-a-half years, the doctors told us he outlived what he should've. And he did it with the 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 young people. I mean, he's just an incredible young person."Â
Brown on his team's reaction:
"I think the family feels the love and they'll continue to feel the love. What we've got to do is be strong, and pray for strength for us as leaders, to help these guys on the field and off the field…so more than ever before, I have got to step up and be stronger for them and make sure that I can help them manage the stuff and move forward in their lives. I told them that I had a team win 13 games one time, and they did not learn nearly as many life lessons as this team will."
Brown on the ceremony for Craft at the end of the 1st quarter:
"I usually hide my emotions the best I can, because I need to, because I have to be somebody else. And that team and Tylee were bigger than my feelings, so I had to go back and make sure that…I mean J.J. Jones was crying, there were kids crying when I walked back down there.
"You kick into a mode of doing whatever you need to do at that time to make it. I thought we were going to score and win the game. I thought what a wonderful tribute that would be to Tylee, even though I didn't know that he had passed at that time. If we'd won the game, they would have been so high and celebrating it was going to be such a downer when we told them that they had lost their friend. It's a hard thing either way."
Brown on his perspective:
"What we all have to do is wake up and be happier and make sure that we reach out and help other people, and that's what cancer awareness games are about. The guys actually called somebody – and said I'm dedicating my classwork, my practice, my game, even if I'm a scout teamer that doesn't play – to you because I want you to know you matter."
Players Mentioned
Wide Receiver
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Wide Receiver
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