Tylee Craft hospitalized: Update on North Carolina WR’s lung cancer battle
Tylee Craft was hospitalized Saturday morning, North Carolina head coach Mack Brown said after the game against Pitt. Craft continues to battle lung cancer, and he was planning to be in attendance for the matchup.
Craft was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in March 2022, but has still been around the program throughout his bout. The plan was for him to be on the sidelines against Pitt, but Brown said he was taken to the hospital Saturday morning.
Brown asked for thoughts and prayers for Craft after his hospitalization. He also praised the way the wide receiver continues to battle and inspire the program.
“We talked about the disaster of the mountains last week and all the thoughts and prayers. But Tylee Craft went in the hospital this morning, and he’s really struggling,” Brown said. “So he needs a lot of thoughts and prayers. And then, we’ll get to the game. But just everybody’s picked him up.
“He’s had a tough couple of years. He was supposed to be at the game today, he had to go to the hospital. So we need everybody’s thoughts and prayers for him as he fights through some of this stuff and continues to fight because he’s had a two-year fight.”
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Craft appeared in 11 games across his first two years at North Carolina before his diagnosis. During that time, he mostly played on special teams, and he hasn’t been able to take the field as he deals with lung cancer.
Craft graduated with his degree from UNC last year and maintains a presence around the program. However, he will not take the field again after announcing his retirement in July.
“First, I want to thank everyone for all the love and support as I continue to battle with cancer,” Craft wrote on social media. “I’ve decided to medically retire for now and will serve as a student coach. But, the goal remains the same. I’m going to keep swinging and beat this thing. Then, once I’m healthy, I’m going to get back into playing shape so I can return to the field. Again, thanks for all the love and support. It means so much.”