Tylee Craft Hospitalized: Update on North Carolina's Lung Cancer Battle WR

Tylee Craft was admitted to the hospital on Saturday morning, North Carolina Head coach Mack Brown said after the game against Pitt. Craft continues to battle lung cancer and had planned to be at the match.

Craft was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in March 2022, but was still in the program throughout his fight. 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 following his hospitalization. He also praised the way the wide receiver continues to fight and inspire the program.

“We talked last week about the disaster in the mountains and all the thoughts and prayers. But Tylee Craft went to the hospital this morning and he's really struggling,” Brown said. “So he needs a lot of thoughts and prayers. And then we come to the game. But everyone picked it up.

“He's had a tough few years. He was supposed to be at the game today, he had to go to the hospital. So we need everyone’s thoughts and prayers for him as he gets through some of these things and continues to fight because he’s been fighting for two years.”

Craft played 11 games in his first two years at North Carolina before his diagnosis. During this time, he played primarily on special teams and was unable to take the field because he was suffering from lung cancer.

Craft graduated from UNC last year and remains involved with 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 cancer,” Craft wrote on social media. “I have decided to withdraw for the time being for medical reasons and will serve as a student coach. But the goal remains the same. I'm going to keep swinging and hitting this thing. As soon as I'm healthy, I'll get back in shape so I can return to the pitch. Thank you again for all the love and support. It means so much.”