STATESBORO, Ga. ? Teddy Craft (Hartwell/Hart County), a member of the Georgia Southern University football team, died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident Tuesday night (July 4) near Statesboro.
He was taken to East Georgia Regional Medical Center then airlifted to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. Thursday morning (July 6) officials at Memorial Health declared the senior wide receiver dead. Craft was 22 years old.
Born on February 25, 1984 in Anderson, South Carolina, Teddy was the son of Arthur and Marilyn Craft. Teddy has two brothers: Artravious and Stacey, and three sisters: Donyall, Chemekia and Michelle.
“This is a shocking, sad day for the entire Georgia Southern community. We want to extend our thoughts and prayers out to Teddy’s family in their time of grief,” said head coach Brian VanGorder. “Teddy was a great teammate, well liked by all.”
A three-year letterwinner, Craft signed with the Eagle football program in February 2002. He redshirted his first year then went on to start nine times in 11 games during the 2003 campaign. Craft started nine times in 10 games played as a sophomore, then started in all 10 appearances in 2005.
A Second Team All-Southern Conference pick the past two years as a return specialist (2004) and wide receiver (2005), Craft led the Eagles in reception yards (319) and touchdowns (5) last season. He caught four of his five touchdown passes during the final two games of the 2005 campaign.
Following his junior year, Craft moved into a tie for second all-time in Georgia Southern history with 13 career touchdown receptions. He also averaged 24.2 yards per catch throughout his career, setting an Eagle record. Craft also set a Georgia Southern single game record last year for longest reception when he caught an 82-yard touchdown pass at Elon.
Coming out of spring drills he was again listed as a starter at one of the wide receiver positions and on the 2-deep for kickoff and punt returns.
“This is a tragic loss of life. Teddy was an outstanding young man, our hearts and prayers go out to his family in their time of loss,” said Director of Athletics Sam Baker.
The funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday morning (July 10) at the Christian Worship Assembly in Hartwell. A wake will be held Sunday night from 6-8 at Macks Funeral Home in Hartwell.