Jack Hoffman, the young cancer patient whose inspirational touchdown run at the University of Nebraska’s 2013 spring game captivated the nation, has died at the age of 19, The Associated Press reports.
Hoffman succumbed to brain cancer early Wednesday at his home in Atkinson, Nebraska, according to Kylie Dockter, executive director of the Team Jack Foundation.
Hoffman’s journey began in 2011 with his initial diagnosis of brain cancer. His parents, Andy and Bri Hoffman, founded the Team Jack Foundation to support pediatric brain cancer research, a cause that gained even more urgency after Andy himself was diagnosed with the disease in 2020. Andy Hoffman passed away in 2021 at the age of 42.
Jack, a passionate Nebraska football fan, forged a special bond with Huskers running back Rex Burkhead soon after his diagnosis. This friendship led to one of the most memorable moments in Nebraska football history.
At the 2013 spring game, the coaching staff invited Jack to participate in a play. Wearing a miniature version of Burkhead’s uniform, the then 7-year-old took a handoff from quarterback Taylor Martinez and dashed 69 yards for a touchdown. The sight of players rushing from both sidelines to celebrate with him, lifting him onto their shoulders, brought the crowd of 60,000 to its feet. The heartwarming moment, broadcast on ESPN and national news outlets, quickly went viral, garnering millions of views online.
The national attention didn’t stop there. Three weeks later, Jack, his family, and Burkhead were invited to the White House, where they spent 15 minutes with President Barack Obama. Obama presented Jack with a new football and expressed his pride in the young boy’s courage.
Later that year, Jack’s touchdown run was honored with the 2013 ESPY Award for “Best Moment in Sports.”
Despite his ongoing health struggles, Jack remained a dedicated athlete, playing on the offensive and defensive line for the Atkinson High School football team. He graduated in May and had embarked on his studies as a pre-law major at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
