Former College Football Player Tylee Craft Dies at 23 Following Lung Cancer Diagnosis: ‘He Was 1-of-1’

Former University of North Carolina wide receiver Tylee Craft has died. He was 23.

On Saturday, Oct. 12, UNC announced that Craft died that morning. The team’s head coach, Mack Brown, announced his death during a postgame news conference following the Tar Heels’ loss to Georgia Tech.

“This young man fought so hard for his two and a half years,” Brown said, referring to Craft being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2022. “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 incredible young people.”

Brown added that the other Tar Heels players did not learn about Craft’s death until after their game, which also served as the team’s annual Cancer Awareness Game, according to the Associated Press. Craft’s friends and family members wore shirts with his name and number in his honor, and the late athlete was recognized during an on-field ceremony.

“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 [former teammate] J.J. Jones was crying, there were kids crying when I walked back down there,” Brown said at the news conference, opening up about the emotional ceremony for Craft.

“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,” Brown added.

UNC later confirmed the news of Craft’s death in a statement, writing that “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,” the school wrote. “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.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Craft, who was originally from Sumter, S.C., first enrolled at UNC in 2020 and played in 11 games over the following two college football seasons. Following his cancer diagnosis in 2022, he missed his junior and senior seasons amid his treatment.

According to ESPN, after Craft graduated with his bachelor’s degree in May, he stayed on at UNC as both an assistant coach and a graduate student. He received a number of accolades, including winning the 2022 Disney Spirit Award for becoming “the most inspirational figure in college football.”

“I love catching passes, scoring touchdowns, running,” Craft once told ESPN, speaking about his passion for football. “Just having fun with my teammates, making memories.”