University of Nebraska football superfan Jack Hoffmanwho famously ran for a touchdown during a Cornhuskers game in 2013, has died after a 14-year battle with brain cancer.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Jack Hoffman Team Jack Foundation confirmed on Wednesday, January 15, a statement on Facebook. “Jack passed away after a long battle with brain cancer, a journey that inspired countless lives and left a legacy of hope, strength and resilience. Jack Hoffman, you will always be our hero.
Hoffman died at his home in Atkinson, Nebraska. According to Team Jack’s website, pathology results after surgery to resect a tumor in the summer of 2024. revealed that his tumor had progressed to a high-grade glioma. He was 19 years old.
After being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011, Jack formed a relationship with the Huskers running back Rex Burkhead after his father Andy Hoffmanreached for the star. Two years later, the Nebraska coaching staff invited him to officiate a play in the fourth quarter of the spring game. Rocking a miniature No. 22 Burkhead jersey, Hoffman — who was 7 at the time — took a handoff from Taylor Martinez and ran 69 yards into the end zone at Memorial Stadium to the cheers of 60,000 people.
A video of the game, which became known as “The Run,” garnered millions of views youtube, and weeks later Jack accompanied Burkhead on a visit Barack Obama in the Oval Office. In July 2013 he received ESPN’s ESPY Award for “Best Moment in Sports.”
Jack’s moment in the spotlight helped his parents launch their foundation, which has since raised more than $14 million to support pediatric brain cancer research. (Andy died of glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2021 at age 42.)
I love you friend. Tell Jesus we say hello. https://t.co/ipiVTZbZGe
— Rex Burkhead (@RBrex34) January 15, 2025
“Jack Hoffman epitomizes what it means to be a Husker every day through his courage, fight and inspiration,” the Nebraska Cornhuskers official social media account wrote through X on Wednesday. “We are devastated by his loss and send all our love to the Hoffman family.”
Burkhead, now a player for the NFL’s Houston Texans, also sent his condolences through Xwriting, “I love you my friend. Tell Jesus we say hello.
Despite his diagnosis, Jack played on his own high school football team as a linebacker before entering the University of Nebraska-Kearney as a freshman in 2024 studying political science. The school released a statement Wednesday, calling the teenager “a valued member of our Loper community,” revealing that Jack was on the dean’s list last semester.
“Jack was widely admired throughout Nebraska and beyond for his courageous spirit and dedication to raising awareness of childhood cancer through the Team Jack Foundation,” the school said in a statement. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jack’s family, friends and all those whose lives he touched. His connection to the UNK community was significant and his influence will not be forgotten. We are grateful for the time you shared with us.”
In a 2020 interview with ESPN. Jack reflects on “The Run,” revealing that he didn’t realize the moment was going to be such a big deal. He recalled not knowing where the end zone was and remembered the words of wisdom his father shared that he carried with him years later: “If you don’t know, just run until you hit the fence.”
Jack is survived by his mother, Bry Hoffmanand two sisters.
