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 College of Nebraska Cornhuskers soccer crew who warmed the hearts of tens of millions after he ran for a landing within the crew’s 2013 spring recreation, has died on the age of 19 after a multi-year battle with mind most cancers.

The manager director of the ‘Group Jack Basis’ mentioned that he handed away after his battle on Wednesday at his house in Atkinson, Nebraska. Medical assessments in October discovered that new and extra aggressive mind tumors had developed in his physique. 

Hoffman was initially identified with mind most cancers in 2011 – resulting in the creation of the muse which helps pediatric mind most cancers analysis.

Jack’s father, Andy Hoffman, was himself identified with mind most cancers in 2020 and died in 2021 on the age of 42.

Jack’s ardour for the Cornhuskers soccer crew led to a friendship with then-Huskers operating again and future Tremendous Bowl champion Rex Burkhead.

That led to Hoffman being invited to the crew’s spring recreation in Lincoln in 2013. The teaching workers invited him to run a play within the fourth quarter. Jack took a handoff from then-quarterback Taylor Martinez and marched 69-yards down the sphere towards the tip zone. 

Jack Hoffman, who was identified with pediatric mind most cancers in 2011, died on the age of 19

Hoffman obtained worldwide fame for his run throughout Nebraska’s spring soccer recreation in 2013

Hoffman’s run led to gamers from each sidelines pouring out onto the sphere, mobbing him, and lifting him up into the air as hundreds within the stands of Memorial Stadium applauded him.

The run made nationwide headlines for days and views of the video shot into the tens of millions – presently sitting at 8.9million on the time of publishing. 

Hoffman, Burkhead, and his household later visited President Barack Obama within the Oval Workplace weeks after the run passed off.

That 12 months, Hoffman additionally received the 2013 ESPY Award for ‘Greatest Second in Sports activities’.

In keeping with the Related Press, Jack performed on the road of the Atkinson Excessive College soccer crew. He then went on to the College of Nebraska at Kearney to check pre-law.

Per ESPN, Hoffman was initially identified with a cancerous glioma (tumor) in 2011 on the age of 5. Docs informed the Hoffman’s that a lot of the development could not be eliminated.

After Hoffman’s father researched methods to deal with the expansion, he discovered a physician in Boston who eliminated greater than 90 p.c of the tumor.

Hoffman struck up a friendship with Burkhead – who used Jack’s struggle for example to fireplace up the Cornhuskers in a late 2011 recreation in opposition to Ohio State. Nebraska then went on to win the sport – with Burkhead scoring the game-winning landing. 

In 2013, Hoffman received the ESPY award for Greatest Sports activities Second alongside his father, Andy

Hoffman even acquired an opportunity to fulfill with President Barack Obama within the White Home

That led to an invitation from Nebraska’s coaches in 2013 to attend the spring recreation. Hoffman placed on pads, a jersey, and a helmet too massive for his head and scampered for a run that impressed tens of millions.

In a press release posted to their social media accounts, the Nebraska athletic division mentioned, ‘Jack Hoffman embodied what it means to be a Husker every single day via his braveness, struggle, and inspiration. We’re heartbroken by his loss and ship all our like to the Hoffman household.’ 

Burkhead additionally posted a tribute to Hoffman, saying, ‘Love you buddy. Inform Jesus we are saying good day.’ 

Longtime ESPN faculty basketball announcer and most cancers survivor Dick Vitale posted, ‘It breaks my coronary heart listening to in regards to the passing of JACK HOFFMAN 19 of @NebraskaFB fame from his battles vs most cancers. Jack Hoffman, who in 2014 at our Gala captured the hearts of our crowd. Could Jack RIP!’

Barstool Sports activities’ Will Compton – who performed for Nebraska from 2008-2012 – additionally paid tribute, saying, ‘That is heartbreaking. My coronary heart goes out to the Hoffman household and everybody concerned with the @teamjack basis which were preventing their a**es off to boost cash for pediatric mind most cancers – all from the inspiration of Jack Hoffman. Relaxation in peace to a Husker legend.’

Nebraska governor Jim Pillen launched a press release, saying, ‘Jack impressed tens of millions and received the hearts of individuals world wide. The landing run in Memorial Stadium is without doubt one of the greatest moments in all of Husker soccer historical past and it helped launch an vital mission to boost funds and discover a remedy for pediatric mind most cancers. Suzanne and I mourn with the Hoffman’s, and we be part of Nebraskans in sending prayers to their household.’ 

Because the run, the Group Jack Basis – arrange by his father, Andy – has raised over $14million for pediatric mind most cancers analysis. 

Andy was identified with a distinct type of mind most cancers in 2020 – glioblastoma multiforme – and handed away lower than a 12 months later.