Jack Hoffman, best known for scoring “The Run” touchdown in Nebraska's 2013 spring game after being diagnosed with brain cancer as a child, died Monday at the age of 19, his foundation announced.
Hoffman died after a more than 10-year battle with brain cancer, and his Team Jack Foundation became a leading institution in childhood cancer research.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jack Hoffman.” The foundation posted on Tuesday to. “Jack passed away after a long battle with brain cancer. His journey inspired countless lives and left a legacy of hope, strength, and resilience. Jack Hoffman, you… He will always be our hero.”
Born in Nebraska, Hoffman entered the sports world in a magical moment at age 7 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor while still living in Nebraska.
After being introduced to the crowd and getting a big cheer, he took the handoff and followed his blocker into the end zone for a 69-yard touchdown.
The Memorial Stadium crowd went wild as he scooted to the end zone, and the players lifted him into their arms and celebrated the emotional moment with him.
Nebraska football meant the world to Hoffman, who suffered a life-threatening stroke in 2011 that revealed a mass in his left temporal lobe. According to his biography on his foundation's website:.
Doctors removed a “small amount” of the tumor, but the rest could not be operated on.
Hoffman underwent a second brain surgery in 2011, which removed 95 percent of the tumor, but the remaining mass grew “rapidly,” according to the biography.
Chemotherapy was started in 2012.
Before the second surgery, his family contacted Nebraska and set up a meeting with Hoffman and his favorite player, future NFL running back Rex Burkhead.
Two years later, Nebraska asked Hoffman to participate in the spring game with the plan to have him score a touchdown that would become an iconic moment.
The scene earned “Best Moment” honors from the ESPYs in 2013, and Hoffman met with then-President Barack Obama. later that year.
“I thought it was great,” Hoffman told The Associated Press at the time.
That year, the Hoffman family established the Team Jack Foundation, with all funds raised going to research into childhood brain tumors.
Team Jack Foundation announces it has raised more than $13 million As of April 2024.
“We are doing everything we can to contribute to the essential purpose of pediatric brain tumor research through fundraising, advocacy and awareness.” The foundation's website says:.
Hoffman's tumor started growing again in 2018, according to his website, and his treatment included traveling to Boston every three months for medication and monitoring.
He joined the junior high school soccer club in 2019, and was a member of the soccer and track and field club for three years in high school.
Tragedy struck the family two years later in July when her father Andy died of a brain tumor.
In 2023, when Hoffman was a senior in high school, an MRI scan revealed that the tumor was growing. He graduated from high school in May of last year and underwent surgery.
Around that time, the family learned that the tumor had progressed from a low-grade glioma to a high-grade glioma, which the website described as rare.
Jack entered the pre-law program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney as a freshman, but last October the tumor grew again, this time “significantly.”
Jack enjoyed his freshman year at Nebraska football and volleyball games, according to the website.
“Jack Hoffman exemplified what it means to be a Husker every day through courage, fight and inspiration,” the Nebraska State Athletic Department tweeted Tuesday, along with a photo from “The Run.” “We are heartbroken by his loss and send all our love to the Hoffman family.”
The University of Nebraska at Kearney posted: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Jack Hoffman, a freshman UNK political science major. Jack made a huge impact on our campus in his short time here. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. My condolences 💙 #TeamJack.”
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen praised Hoffman as an inspiration.
“Jack inspired millions of people and captured the hearts of people around the world.” Pillen said in a statement:. “The touchdown run at Memorial Stadium was one of the greatest moments in Husker football history and helped launch an important mission to raise money and find a cure for childhood brain tumors. Suzanne and I grieve with Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman and join the people of Nebraska in sending my prayers to the family.”
