Former Michigan football player dies at 33

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Former Michigan Wolverine Craig Roh has died. He was 33 years old.

His wife, Chelsea, announced on social media Wednesday that Roh passed away on Monday after an 18-month battle with colon cancer. He is survived by his wife and their 2-year-old son, Max.

According to the family’s GoFundMe page, Roh was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in August 2022.

“Craig did not want to go public with his diagnosis and battle because, in true Craig fashion, he did not want the attention to be on him,” the page read. “From chemo, to targeted therapy, to clinical trials at MD Anderson and in Honduras, Craig was resilient until the very end.”

Roh found success right away at Michigan, playing in 11 games as a freshman in 2009 and recording 35 total tackles. Under Brady Hoke, he moved from outside linebacker to defensive end, racking up 10.5 sacks in his four years with the Wolverines.

He was a Big Ten honorable mention in 2011 and voted to the All-Big Ten second team in 2012. Roh was also named to the Academic All-Big Ten team as a senior.

Roh went undrafted after college and signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent, but never appeared in a game. He played four seasons in the Canadian Football League and won a Grey Cup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019.

Recently, Roh had dedicated his life to coaching, writing books and launching a new business on coaching defensive linemen.

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“He loved coaching, and it carried him through his hardest days,” Chelsea Roh said in a social media post.

Several teammates have used social media to offer their condolences.

“Love you, brother. So sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences. You were a dude and your film will forever live on!” former Michigan receiver Roy Roundtree posted on X.

Taylor Lewan, who played with Roh at Michigan and at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, wrote a note crediting Roh with helping him make it to the NFL.

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“I would (have) never made it to college, never (gone) to the NFL, and would never be sitting in the position I am today. Craig Roh really and truly did change my life for the better,” Lewan stated.

New Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore offered up his condolences and encouraged fans to consider supporting his family through the GoFundMe page.

“I am saddened to hear about the passing of former defensive end Craig Roh, our program’s all-time leader in career starts,” Moore said on X. “The entire Roh family is in my thoughts and prayers, and we hope for peace and comfort for all who knew this great Wolverine.”

All funds from the GoFundMe will be used to cover medical bills, future schooling for the family’s son and other life expenses.

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