Taylor Lewan’s heartfelt tribute to his ex Michigan football teammate who passed away

In 2024, the Michigan football program, players, fans, and alumni celebrated a magnificent 15-0 season.

However, tragedy struck recently when Wolverines alumnus Craig Roh’s wife announced his death from colon cancer.

Roh’s death has sparked reactions among Michigan family members, including current head coach Sherrone Moore. Michigan football alumni have concentrated on the Roh situation, despite the team having a record 18 participation in this year’s NFL draft combine.

Among them is Taylor Lewan, a podcast host and free agent NFL linebacker who claims Roh altered his life for the better.

Lewan Shares Story Behind Roh Friendship 

Lewan and Roh were teammates on opposite sides of the football under former Michigan coach Brady Hoke.

Hoke did not win a national championship with Michigan, but he did guide the Wolverines to a Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech during a period that featured talented players such as Roh, Lewan, and quarterback Denard Robinson, among others.

Lewan attributed the strong defensive lineman, who died at 33 of colon cancer, for changing his life.

“Without Craig I never have the opportunity to live the life I do now,” Lewan remarked in an interview with X. “I would never have made it to college, the NFL, or the position 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.” Anyone who knew Craig knew he was a decent person at heart who always gave his all, no matter what.

RIP @craigroh pic.twitter.com/AKzey1vseY

— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) February 28, 2024

Roh was one of Michigan’s most reliable defensive players, setting a program record with 51 consecutive starts from 2009 to 2012 amid an up-and-down stretch under Rich Rodriguez and Hoke as head coaches.

He helped secure a 67-65 triple overtime victory over Illinois by harassing Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase into an incomplete pass.

“Love you brother,” former Michigan wide receiver Roy Roundtree, who was once a Cincinnati Bengals player, wrote, according to the New York Post. “I’m really sad to hear this. My sincere sympathies. “You were a DUDE, and your film will live on forever.”

Roh is survived by his two-year-old son Max and wife Chelsea.