Craig Roh, a former Michigan Wolverines player, died at the age of 33 after a battle with cancer.
A fundraiser has been created in memory of a former collegiate American football standout who died at the age of 33 after battling cancer. Craig Roh, a former Michigan Wolverines defensive end, had been discreetly battling colon cancer for the past 18 months, according to his wife, Chelsea Roh.
In a statement on X, she said, “This is Craig’s wife. I wanted to let all of Craig’s followers know that after an 18-month struggle with Stage IV colon cancer, God called him home on Monday, February 26th.
“Craig was not very public about his battle because he honestly wanted to focus on creating the finest content and products he could. He outlined a timeline for his company, so stay tuned. Many people have asked how they can help, so I’ve connected our GoFundMe to this post.
Roh is survived by his wife Chelsea and their two-year-old son, Max. As of Thursday afternoon, more than $122,000 of the $200,000 (£158,000) goal had been met, with profits going toward medical expenditures, future schooling for their son, and life for his wife.
Roh started out as a four-star prospect at Chaparral High School in Arizona, where he was voted Player of the Year, before committing to Michigan in 2008. He then played for the Wolverines from 2009 to 2012, making 51 consecutive starts, which is still a program record.
Roh spent one year in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers after graduating from Michigan in 2013, and then moved on to play professional football in the Canadian Football League, including for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who won the Grey Cup in 2019.
He subsequently quit football to pursue a career in technology, moving to Austin, Texas, where he began working for multiple computer businesses while also starting an online defensive line teaching football business.
Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore paid respect on X, writing, “I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of former defensive end Craig Roh, our program’s all-time leader in career starts. My heart goes out to his family at this terrible time. The entire Roh family is in my thoughts and prayers, and we wish peace and comfort to those who knew this great Wolverine.
Former NFL standout Taylor Lewan, who played with Roh and attended college with him, penned a heartfelt tribute to his friend. “Craig and I had a pretty odd connection, and we didn’t always get along. Craig was more soft-spoken, mature, and focused when we met, whereas I was a noisy loose cannon with little situational awareness.
He went on to say, “Without Craig, I would never have had the opportunity to live the life I have now. would never have made it to college, the NFL, or the job I hold now. So Craig Roh has genuinely changed my life for the better.
“I am heartbroken for his wife Chelsea and their young son, who will now have to grow up without his father.” Craig was a wonderful person at heart who always did his hardest no matter what the circumstances were.
