Nebraska Huskers superfan Jack Hoffman has died at the age of 19 after battling cancer

University of Nebraska football superfan Jack Hoffmanwho ran for a touchdown in a 2013 Cornhuskers game, has died after a 14-year battle with brain cancer.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jack Hoffman's passing.” Team Jack Foundation confirmed in a statement on Wednesday, January 15, via Facebook. “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. According to Team Jack's website, pathology results following tumor resection surgery in the summer of 2024 revealed that his tumor had progressed to a high-grade glioma. He was 19 years old.

After being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011, Jack formed a bond with the Huskers that brought back Rex Burkhead after father Andy Hoffmanreached star player. Two years later, the Nebraska coaching staff called him out in the fourth quarter of the spring game. Rocking a miniature Burkhead jersey no. 22, Hoffmann, who was 7 years old at the time, took the hand of Taylor Martinez and ran 69 yards into the end zone at Memorial Stadium to the cheers of 60,000 people.

The video of the game, which became known as “The Run,” garnered millions of views youtube, and weeks later, Jack visited Burkhead Barack Obama In the Oval Office. In July 2013, he was awarded the ESPN ESPY Award for “Best Moment in Sports”.

Jack's moment in the spotlight helped his parents start their own foundation, which has since raised more than $14 million to aid pediatric brain cancer research. (Andy died of glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2021 at age 42.)

Love you friend. Tell Jesus we say hello. https://t.co/ipiVTZbZGe

— Rex Burkhead (@RBrex34) January 15, 2025

“Jack Hoffman epitomized what it means to be a Husker every day through his courage, fight and inspiration,” the Nebraska Cornhuskers' official social media account reads. through X on Wednesday. “We are heartbroken at his loss and send all our love to the Hoffman family.”

Burkhead, now a player for the NFL's Houston Texans, also offered his condolences. through Xwriting, “Love you buddy. Tell Jesus we welcome.”

Despite his diagnosis, Jack played as a linebacker on his high school football team before entering the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2024 as a freshman studying political science. On Wednesday, the school released a statement calling the teenager “a valued member of our Loper community,” revealing that Jack made the dean's list last semester.

“Jack was widely admired throughout Nebraska and beyond for his courageous spirit and dedication to raising awareness of childhood cancer through the Team Jack Foundation,” the school said in a statement. “Our deepest condolences go out to Jack's family, friends and all those whose lives he touched. His connection to the UNK community was significant and his impact will not be forgotten. We are grateful for the time he shared with us.

In a 2020 interview with ESPN, Jack reflected on “The Run,” revealing that he didn't realize the moment could be significant. He recalled not knowing where the end zone was and remembered his father's words of wisdom that he carried with him years later: “If you don't know, just run until you hit the fence.”

Jack is survived by his mother, Brie Hoffmanand two sisters.