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

University of Nebraska football superfan Jack Hoffmanwho famously ran for a touchdown during a Cornhuskers game in 2013, 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,” he said Team Jack Foundation she confirmed in a statement on Facebook on Wednesday, January 15. “Jack died 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 running back Rex Burkhead after his father Andy Hoffmanaddressed the star player. Two years later, the Nebraska coaching staff invited him to play during the fourth quarter of the spring game. Hoffman, who was 7 years old at the time, rocked a miniature Burkhead No. 22. Taylor Martinez and ran 69 yards into the Memorial Stadium end zone to the cheers of 60,000 people.

The video of the game, which became known as “The Run”, received millions of views youtube, and weeks later, Jack accompanied Burkhead on a visit 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 foundation, which has since raised more than $14 million to support pediatric brain cancer research. (Andy died of glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2021 at the age of 42.)

I love you mate. Tell Jesus we salute you. 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,” wrote the official Nebraska Cornhuskers social media account. through X on Wednesday. “We are heartbroken by his loss and send all our love to the Hoffman family.”

Burkhead, who is now an NFL player with the Houston Texans, also expressed his condolences. through Xhe writes: “I love you dude. Tell Jesus we salute you.”

Despite his diagnosis, Jack played linebacker on his own high school football team before entering the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2024 as a freshman majoring in political science. The school released a statement Wednesday calling the teenager a “valued member of our Loper community” and 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 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 with ESPN, Jack reflected on “The Run” and revealed that he didn’t realize the moment would be a big deal. He remembered not knowing where the end zone was and remembered the words of wisdom his father had shared that he carried with him years later: “If you don’t know, run until you hit the fence.”

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