Craig Roh, Former Michigan Football Player, Dead at 33 Following Colon Cancer Diagnosis

Former Michigan football player Craig Roh has died at the age of 33.

Former Michigan defensive lineman Chelsea Roha’s wife announced the news post on X (formerly known as Twitter), said on Wednesday that Roh had been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer 18 months before his death on Monday.

“Craig hasn’t spoken publicly about his struggle because he really just wanted to focus on bringing the best content and creating the best products he could,” she wrote on X. “He’s set a timeline for his work so stay tuned… Many have asked how they can help, I’ve attached our GoFundMe to this post.”

“Craig didn’t want to go public with his diagnosis and struggle because, in true Craig fashion, he didn’t want the spotlight on him,” Roh’s family’s GoFundMe added. “From chemotherapy, to targeted therapy, to clinical trials at MD Anderson and in Honduras, Craig has been resilient [until] the very end.”

The family said any money raised by the GoFundMe will be used to pay for Roh’s medical expenses and his son Max’s future education while “they grieve and begin to rebuild their lives.” Funeral services for Roh will be held on March 16 in Phoenix, Ariz.

Craig Roh plays in the All America Under Armor football game.

Doug Benz/Getty Images

Soccer player, 21, dead after collapsing during training: ‘Our hearts are broken beyond measure’

Roh was born Jan. 25, 1991, and from a young age was interested in sports, academics and Bible study, according to a biography of his life on GoFundMe. At the age of 6, he began his journey as an athlete playing football and basketball at the local YMCA and Boys and Girls Club.

He carried that passion for playing football to Chaparral High School and became a starter on varsity football during his sophomore year. By his senior year, he was named Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year and Under Armor All-America. Because of his high level of play, he picked up offers from 35 Division I programs and ultimately decided to accept a full scholarship to play football at the University of Michigan.

Craig Roh plays for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Reed Ryan, UM Duluth football player, dies at 22 after collapsing during practice: ‘The epitome of a UMD Bulldog’

While playing at Michigan, he set even more records, becoming the player with the most consecutive career starts from his freshman year to his senior year. He won several other honors including Freshman All-American, All-Big Ten and Michigan Defensive Player of the Year.

After college, he transitioned to the professional NFL scene, playing one year for the Carolina Panthers, before playing pro football in the Canadian Football League. He moved to Vancouver, Canada and played for the BC Lions and won the CFL Gray Cup Championship.

After his football career ended, Roh went into the technology business. He moved his family to Austin, Tx. where he worked for various startups. His love for football wasn’t far behind, however, as he also worked to build an “online football defensive line coaching business,” the GoFundMe statement added.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Craig Roh plays for the Michigan Wolverines.

AP Photo/Scott Boehm

Roh met Chelsea after college and married her in 2016. Five years later, the couple had a son, Max.

“Craig didn’t care about frivolous things in life. He wanted to spend all his time caring, loving and building a life around the things he believed were important,” the GoFundMe reads. “Whether it was his faith, marriage, son, family, friends or work, he always had an unrelenting focus with his time and energy.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education