Hundreds of people came out to Memorial Stadium on Sunday to show their support for the fight against pediatric brain cancer.
The Nebraska football team and Team Jack Foundation held their 13th annual Road Race event over the weekend.
This event was created in 2013 to raise money for pediatric brain cancer research. Husker fan Jack Hoffman was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 7 and fought his battle on and off for many years. He passed away from a brain tumor in January at the age of 19. This year marked the first race without him.
At this event, participants can run one mile or a 5K race to help raise money for the cause. Fans, kids and runners participate in the event with Husker football players helping run the event. The Team Jack Foundation’s Road Race had raised over $300,000 before this year’s race.
Offensive linemen Teddy Prochaska grew up in Elkhorn, Nebraska, and has attended the event for many years. He said that it means a lot to honor Jack and his family while also giving back to the community.
“It means the world,” Prochaska told Hail Varsity. “I remember I was at the spring game when he scored that touchdown, and that’s just been a moment that’s stuck with me forever. And we try to tell the story of Jack throughout the locker room and let guys that are new to the program know what this day means to us, and what it means to the program. Just being able to get out and give everything that we can to these people, it just means everything.”
Jack’s mother, Bri Hoffman, spoke at the event. She expressed her gratitude for Husker nation, and the fans’ support of her family throughout the years.
“On behalf of all of the pediatric brain tumor families that are here and those that are not here, thank you for giving us hope, and showing us that we’re not alone in this fight,” Hoffman said.
Sophomore tight end Carter Nelson hails from Ainsworth, Nebraska, and is very familiar with the Road Race. He said that it means a lot to support this cause.
“It’s super important,” Nelson told Hail Varsity. “We’ve got a great opportunity to just spread awareness, and I think that’s what we’re doing here today. So it’s a great opportunity to do that, and then just give back to our community. Great to meet a lot of these kids, play football with them, we were doing that earlier. So it’s just great to be able to come out here and kind of just be part of the community.”
Prochaska echoed the sentiment.
“It means the world to us, it means the world to this team,” Prochaska said. “Just thinking back, of how many years I’ve been able to do this. We look forward to it every year. I know it’s different weathers, we’ve had it inside we’ve had it outside, but just to get back and give to the community, it just means the world to us.”
As a player, Nelson gets to experience the other side of this tradition. Getting to make a difference in kids’ lives has meant a lot to him.
“It’s super important, because I just remember the impact that some older players had on me,” Nelson said. “Whether that was me when I managed high school players, I just remember the impact that maybe one high-five could have. So I really try to make it important, to maybe take it a step farther and ask them how they’re doing and stuff like that, because it can really make an impact on a little kid’s life.”
Giving back to the community is something that the Huskers have done a lot this offseason. Prochaska said he’s enjoyed making a difference in people’s lives.
“The fans come out every Saturday to come watch us play,” Prochaska said. “And just getting some time to give back to everybody, whether it’s at a food bank, or going to an elementary school, doing the Road Race, it just means so much to them to get out, see us, let us know that we’re in this together.”
The Huskers will continue to help Jack’s legacy live on and raise money for pediatric brain cancer research in hopes of someday finding a cure.
“It means the world to us.” ❤️
This morning, Nebraska Football hosted their annual Road Race as they continue to support their fight against pediatric brain cancer.
100% of funds go directly to pediatric brain cancer research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. pic.twitter.com/YGIr5Qj1Ms
— Hurrdat Sports (@HurrdatSports) July 20, 2025
