CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina football player Tylee Craft died Saturday morning of a rare form of lung cancer, coach Mack Brown said.

Brown made the announcement his post-match press conference after the Tar Heels’ loss to Georgia Tech. Craft was 23.

“This young man has fought so hard these last two and a half years,” Brown said. “The doctors told us he survived what he should have done. 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 a practice, he coached these other incredible young people.

UNC had honored Craft — who was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer in March 2022 — during Saturday’s football gamewhich also happened to be the team’s annual Cancer Awareness Game. Friends and family members wearing shirts with Craft’s name and number were recognized during an on-field ceremony.

Wide receiver JJ Jones wore Craft’s jersey with his number 13 and last name against the Yellow Jackets.

Brown told reporters he didn’t learn of Craft’s death until after the game, but felt something had happened after sharing an emotional hug with Craft’s mother at the end of the first quarter.

“I think the family feels the love and they will continue to feel the love,” Brown said. “What we need to do is be strong and pray for strength for us as leaders to help these guys on and off the field. … So more than ever before, I need to step up and be stronger for them and make sure I can help them stay on top of things and move forward in their lives.”

UNC Football also announced Craft’s death in a statement on social media, which followed later through a tribute video in memory of Craft. Additional, the UNC men’s basketball team wore jerseys course of action Name and number of the vessel because of the head-to-head scrimmage at the Smith Center after the football game, and that was the case a moment of silence before the scrimmage in honor of Craft.

Craft, from Sumter, South Carolina, played in seven games at receiver and on special teams as a true freshman in 2020, and four games in 2021 before his diagnosis. Yet he remained present and close to the program.

“Tylee meant so much to so many and influenced us in ways we will always be grateful for,” the football program said in a statement. “He was 1-on-1 and although he won’t be with us physically, he will watch over us with his endearing smile and endless positivity.”

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