Near the end of the Nebraska football team’s 2013 spring intrasquad game in mid-April, Jack Hoffman took a handoff from quarterback Taylor Martinez and ran 69 yards for a touchdown.
Hoffman was accompanied by members of both teams. He was 7 years old.
Coach Bo Pelini called the play.
The image of Hoffman cradling the ball as he crossed the goal line is forever in the hearts of those in attendance, 60,000 or so, as well as those who would later see the video or read about it. Those hearts were broken Wednesday with the news Jack had died at age 19 of brain cancer and its spread.
Jack’s touchdown run earned him an ESPY Award and a meeting with President Barack Obama.
Kevin Sjuts of KOLN-KGIN television posted on X that when asked about his favorite memory of his time at Nebraska, Martinez said, without hesitation, Jack’s touchdown run.
Jack was almost immediately known on a first-name basis.
He was a freshman at Nebraska-Kearney, majoring in political science. “Jack made a significant impact on our campus in his short time here,” UNK said in a statement.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
That doesn’t tell the whole story of Jack Hoffman, however. In 2011, after being diagnosed with brain cancer and before a second surgery in Boston, Jack’s parents — his dad, Andy, died of brain cancer in 2021 — brought him to Lincoln to meet Husker running back Rex Burkhead.
The two connected, and Burkhead wore a wristband that said “Team Jack-Pray.”
In 2013, Jack’s family was involved in the creation of the Team Jack Foundation, dedicated to raising money for curing pediatric cancer, the “key to increasing survival rates for kids and decreasing side effects from toxic treatments.” It is based in his hometown of Atkinson, Nebraska.
Burkhead was involved in the creation of the Foundation and is on the board of directors.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Jack Hoffman, the courageous namesake of the Team Jack Foundation. Jack passed away after a long and hard-fought battle with brain cancer, a journey that inspired countless lives and left a legacy of hope, strength, and resilience,” the Foundation posted. “Through his battle, Jack touched far and wide.”
Later, the Foundation posted on X, “Jack Hoffman, you will always be our hero.”
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Jack Hoffman. 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. pic.twitter.com/YQ51HmSoOz
— Team Jack (@TeamJack) January 15, 2025
