North Carolina’s Tylee Craft Nominated For Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award

DALLAS (FWAA) — North Carolina’s Tylee Craft is the first weekly nominee for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Craft, a fifth-year senior, has battled cancer since 2022 but has remained an integral part of the Tar Heels’ program as a student coach.

“It means a lot knowing that they’re still supporting no matter what and I can still be with the team,” Craft told the Sumter (S.C.) Item in June. “It makes my days better because I’m able to go and spend time with the team and still be surrounded by my teammates and still go to classes and go to workouts when I can. It helps me get through my days.”

Craft was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer on March 14, 2022. Doctors say he was weeks away from dying before he immediately began aggressive regimens of chemotherapy and immunotherapy at UNC Lineberger Cancer Center.

The cancer has since spread throughout Craft’s body and to his brain, but he is still at every practice, meeting and team function despite continuing to undergo treatment.

In May, Craft earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science/sports administration. He is now working toward his master’s in applied professional studies.

The Sumter, S.C., native has used his platform to inspire others, as Craft was named the 2022 Disney Spirit Award winner after serving as an ambassador for the White Ribbon Project, which raises awareness for lung cancer. He has spent time visiting patients at UNC Children’s Hospital as well.

Craft helped raise more than $100,000 for the SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals through the Mack and Sally Brown Ladies Clinic, and he was named to the Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion team as well.

A former three-star wide receiver prospect, the 6-foot-5 Craft played in 11 games across the 2020 and 2021 seasons for UNC.