Jack Hoffman, recognized for scoring a landing on “The Run” as a toddler through the 2013 Nebraska spring sport after being recognized with mind most cancers, died Monday on the age of 19, his basis introduced.
Hoffman died after a decade-plus battle with mind most cancers, and his Staff Jack Basis turned a number one institute for pediatric most cancers analysis.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Jack Hoffman,” the inspiration posted Tuesday on X. “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, a local Nebraskan who nonetheless lived within the state, entered sports activities lore as a 7-year-old for his magical second after being recognized with mind most cancers.
He obtained a loud ovation whereas being launched to the group earlier than receiving a handoff and following his blockers to the tip zone for a 69-yard landing.
The Memorial Stadium crowd went wild whereas he scooted to the tip zone, and the gamers picked him up and celebrated the touching second with him.
Nebraska soccer meant the world to Hoffman, who suffered a life-threatening seizure in 2011 that exposed a mass in his left temporal lobe, in response to his biography on his basis’s web site.
Whereas docs eliminated a “small amount” of the tumor, the remaining couldn’t be operated on.
Hoffman underwent a second mind surgical procedure in 2011 that eliminated 95 % of the tumor, per the biography, however the remaining mass grew “aggressively.”
He started chemotherapy in 2012.
Earlier than that second surgical procedure, his household contacted Nebraska to arrange a gathering with Hoffman and his favourite participant, future NFL working again Rex Burkhead.
Two years later, Nebraska requested Hoffman to take part of their spring sport with the plan to let him rating a landing in what would turn out to be an iconic second.
That scene earned “Best Moment” honors from the 2013 ESPYs, and Hoffman met met then-President Barack Obama later that 12 months.
“I thought it was awesome,” Hoffman stated to the Related Press on the time.
The Hoffman household began the Staff Jack Basis that 12 months, with all the cash that’s raised going towards pediatric mind most cancers analysis.
The Staff Jack Basis stated it had raised greater than $13 million as of April 2024.
“Through fundraising, advocacy and awareness, we do everything we can to contribute to the essential cause of childhood brain cancer research,” the inspiration’s web site states.
Hoffman’s tumor started rising once more in 2018, per his web site, and he underwent remedy which included touring to Boston each three months to obtain medication and monitoring.
He joined his junior highschool soccer group in 2019, and performed soccer and took part on the observe group for his first three years of highschool.
Tragedy struck the household two years later when his father, Andy, died of mind most cancers in July.
Throughout Hoffman’s junior 12 months of highschool in 2023, an MRI examination revealed the tumor had grown. He graduated highschool final Could and underwent surgical procedure.
The household discovered round that point that the tumor had shifted from low-grade glioma to high-grade, which the web site described as uncommon.
Jack enrolled as a freshman within the pre-law program on the College of Nebraska-Kearney, however final October the tumor once more grew, this time “significantly.”
The web site stated Jack had been having fun with his freshman 12 months, together with Nebraska soccer and volleyball video games.
“Jack Hoffman embodied what it means to be a Husker every day through his courage, fight, and inspiration,” Nebraska’s athletic division tweeted alongside a photograph of “The Run” on Tuesday. “We are heartbroken by his loss and send all our love to the Hoffman family.”
The College of Nebraska-Kearney posted: “It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Jack Hoffman, a freshman political science major at UNK. Jack made a significant impact on our campus in his short time here. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. 💙 #TeamJack.”
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen praised Hoffman for being an inspiration.
“Jack inspired millions and won the hearts of people around the world,” Pillen stated in a press release. “The touchdown run in Memorial Stadium is one of the best moments in all of Husker football history and it helped launch an important mission to raise funds and find a cure for pediatric brain cancer. Suzanne and I mourn with the Hoffman’s, and we join Nebraskans in sending prayers to their family.”
