North Carolina football player Tylee Craft died Saturday morning from a rare form of lung cancer, coach Mack Brown said.Brown made the announcement in his post-game news conference following the Tar Heels loss to Georgia Tech. Craft was 23.This young man fought so hard for his two and a half years, Brown said. The doctors told us he outlived what he shouldve. And he did it with the spirit, he did it with a smile on his face, he didnt miss a meeting, he didnt miss 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 Saturdays football game, which also happened to be the teams annual Cancer Awareness Game. Friends and family members wearing shirts bearing Crafts name and number were recognized during an on-field ceremony.Wide receiver J.J. Jones wore Crafts jersey with his No. 13 and last name against the Yellow Jackets.RELATED | Hospitals begin offering breakthrough radiation therapy for metastatic cancer tumorsBrown told reporters he didnt learn of Crafts death until after the game but sensed something had happened after sharing an emotional hug with Crafts mother at the end of the first quarter.I think the family feels the love and theyll continue to feel the love, Brown said. What weve got to do is be strong, and pray for strength for us as leaders, to help these guys on the field and off the field. So more than ever before I have got to step up and be stronger for them and make sure that I can help them manage the stuff and move forward in their lives.UNC football also announced Crafts death in a statement posted on social media, followed later by a tribute video to Crafts memory. Additionally, the UNC mens basketball team wore shirts bearing Crafts name and number for its intrasquad scrimmage at the Smith Center following the football game, and had a pre-scrimmage moment of silence in Crafts honor.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. Still, he had remained present and close to the program.Tylee meant so much to so many and affected us in ways well always be thankful for," the football program's statement said. He was 1-of-1 and, while he wont be with us in body, hell be watching over us with his endearing smile and endless positivity.