CNN
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University of North Carolina wide receiver Tylee Craft has died at the age of 23 after a battle with cancer, the school announced Saturday.

Craft, a four-star recruit, played two seasons for the Tar Heels – in 2020 and 2021. In March 2022, he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.

“It is with love and fond memories that we announce that Tylee Craft has begun his journey on the other side,” the school said in a news release. “Tylee meant so much to so many and influenced us in ways we will always be grateful for. 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.

In 2022, Craft received the Disney Spirit Award, given to the most inspirational figure in college football.

The school honored Craft prior to Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown hugged Craft’s mother during a tribute that included 13 seconds of applause in Craft’s honor.

Wide receiver JJ Jones wore Craft’s No. 13 jersey.

After the game, an emotional Brown, wearing a “Tyler Strong” jersey with a large number 13 in the center, called it “a tough thing” to tell a team that their teammate had passed after their loss of 41-34.

“You have to figure out how to tell a group — which is hard to tell a group of young people about one of their best friends, and it brings up a lot of things that other people had in their lives,” Brown told reporters. “It’s a very, very difficult time for them and at the same time you do that in the dressing room, just after losing a heartbreaking match. So they are having a hard time. …

“This young man fought so hard during his two and a half years. The doctors told us that he survived what he should have done, and he did so with great enthusiasm. And he did it with a smile on his face. And he didn’t miss a meeting, he didn’t miss a workout. He coached these other young people. He’s just an incredibly young person.”