Jack Hoffman, the University of Nebraska football superfan who became famous for running a touchdown during a 2013 Cornhuskers’ game, has passed away after a 14-year battle with brain cancer.
In a statement shared on Facebook on Wednesday, January 15, the Team Jack Foundation announced, “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.”
Hoffman died at his home in Atkinson, Nebraska. The Team Jack website reported that pathology results from a tumor resection surgery in the summer of 2024 revealed that his tumor had advanced to a high-grade glioma. He was 19 years old.
After being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011, Jack formed a special bond with Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead when his father, Andy Hoffman, reached out to the player. In 2013, two years later, the Nebraska coaching staff invited Jack to run a play during the fourth quarter of a spring game.
Wearing a miniature No. 22 Burkhead jersey, 7-year-old Jack took a handoff from quarterback Taylor Martinez and ran 69 yards into the end zone of Memorial Stadium, to the cheers of 60,000 fans.
The moment, which became known as “The Run,” was captured on video and went viral, garnering millions of views on YouTube. Shortly after, Jack and Burkhead visited President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. In July 2013, Jack received ESPN’s ESPY Award for “Best Moment in Sports.”
This heartwarming moment in the spotlight helped Jack’s parents launch the Team Jack Foundation, which has since raised over $14 million to fund pediatric brain cancer research.
Jack Hoffman
Tragically, Jack’s father, Andy, died from glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2021 at the age of 42.
Rex Burkhead, now a player for the NFL’s Houston Texans, expressed his grief on social media, writing, “Love you buddy. Tell Jesus we say hello.”
The official social media account for the Nebraska Cornhuskers also shared their condolences, stating, “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.”
Despite his diagnosis, Jack played on his high school football team as a lineman. He went on to attend the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2024, where he studied political science.
The university released a statement on Wednesday, honoring Jack as a “valued member of our Loper community.” It was revealed that Jack had earned a spot on the Dean’s list in the previous semester.
“Jack was widely admired across Nebraska and beyond for his courageous spirit and dedication to raising awareness about childhood cancer through the Team Jack Foundation,” the university’s statement read.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jack’s family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. His connection to the UNK community was meaningful, and his impact will not be forgotten. We are grateful for the time he shared with us.”
In a 2020 interview, Jack reflected on “The Run,” sharing that he didn’t initially realize the significance of the moment. He recalled not knowing where the end zone was and remembered his father’s advice: “If you don’t know it, just run until you hit the fence.”
Jack is survived by his mother, Bri Hoffman, and two sisters.
