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Jack Hoffman, the Nebraska superfan, who captured the nation’s coronary heart with viral landing, dies of most cancers at 19

Jack Hoffman, a fan of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team who warmed the hearts of millions after he ran for a touchdown in the team’s 2013 spring game, has died at the age of 19 after a multi-year battle with brain cancer.

The executive director of the ‘Team Jack Foundation’ said that he passed away after his battle on Wednesday at his home in Atkinson, Nebraska. Medical tests in October found that new and more aggressive brain tumors had developed in his body. 

Hoffman was initially diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011 – leading to the creation of the foundation which supports pediatric brain cancer research.

Jack’s father, Andy Hoffman, was himself diagnosed with brain cancer in 2020 and died in 2021 at the age of 42.

Jack’s passion for the Cornhuskers football team led to a friendship with then-Huskers running back and future Super Bowl champion Rex Burkhead.

That led to Hoffman being invited to the team’s spring game in Lincoln in 2013. The coaching staff invited him to run a play in the fourth quarter. Jack took a handoff from then-quarterback Taylor Martinez and marched 69-yards down the field toward the end zone. 

Jack Hoffman, who was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer in 2011, died at the age of 19

Jack Hoffman, who was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer in 2011, died at the age of 19

Hoffman received worldwide fame for his run during Nebraska's spring football game in 2013

Hoffman received worldwide fame for his run during Nebraska’s spring football game in 2013

Hoffman’s run led to players from both sidelines pouring out onto the field, mobbing him, and lifting him up into the air as thousands in the stands of Memorial Stadium applauded him.

The run made national headlines for days and views of the video shot into the millions – currently sitting at 8.9million at the time of publishing. 

Hoffman, Burkhead, and his family later visited President Barack Obama in the Oval Office weeks after the run took place.

That year, Hoffman also won the 2013 ESPY Award for ‘Best Moment in Sports’.

According to the Associated Press, Jack played on the line of the Atkinson High School football team. He then went on to the University of Nebraska at Kearney to study pre-law.

Per ESPN, Hoffman was initially diagnosed with a cancerous glioma (tumor) in 2011 at the age of five. Doctors told the Hoffman’s that most of the growth couldn’t be removed.

After Hoffman’s father researched ways to treat the growth, he found a doctor in Boston who removed more than 90 percent of the tumor.

Hoffman struck up a friendship with Burkhead – who used Jack’s fight as an example to fire up the Cornhuskers in a late 2011 game against Ohio State. Nebraska then went on to win the game – with Burkhead scoring the game-winning touchdown. 

In 2013, Hoffman won the ESPY award for Best Sports Moment alongside his father, Andy

In 2013, Hoffman won the ESPY award for Best Sports Moment alongside his father, Andy

Hoffman even got a chance to meet with President Barack Obama in the White House

Hoffman even got a chance to meet with President Barack Obama in the White House

That led to an invite from Nebraska’s coaches in 2013 to attend the spring game. Hoffman put on pads, a jersey, and a helmet too large for his head and scampered for a run that inspired millions.

In a statement posted to their social media accounts, the Nebraska athletic department said, ‘Jack Hoffman embodied what it means to be a Husker every day through his courage, fight, and inspiration. We are heartbroken by his loss and send all our love to the Hoffman family.’ 

Burkhead also posted a tribute to Hoffman, saying, ‘Love you buddy. Tell Jesus we say hello.’ 

Since the run, the Team Jack Foundation – set up by his father, Andy – has raised over $14million for pediatric brain cancer research. Andy was diagnosed with a different form of brain cancer in 2020 – glioblastoma multiforme – and passed away less than a year later.