Jack Hoffman, who captured hearts around Nebraska football, dies of brain cancer

Jack Hoffman, who ran to fame at age 7 by scoring a touchdown in the 2013 Nebraska spring football game and raised millions to fight childhood cancer, has died after a battle with brain cancer, according to Kylie Dockter, executive director of the foundation named for him.

Hoffman was 19. He was originally diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011 at the age of 5. His fight against the disease inspired the rise of the Team Jack Foundation, which has contributed more than $12 million to support childhood brain cancer research.

According to a December post on the website CaringBridge by Jack’s mother, Brianna Hoffman, recent scans showed the growth of a tumor in Jack’s brain and new tumors in other areas of his body.

She said at the time the family was “praying for a miracle.”

Hoffman underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy last year after enrolling as a freshman in the fall at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He graduated from West Holt High in Atkinson, Neb., last year and earned a full college scholarship from the Kearney Law Opportunities Program — designed to recruit aspiring law students from rural Nebraska communities.

After his initial cancer diagnosis, Hoffman formed a friendship with Rex Burkhead, a Nebraska running back from 2009 to 2012. Weeks before Burkhead was drafted into the NFL, Jack received an invite to the Huskers’ spring game from coach Bo Pelini.

Hoffman took a handoff from quarterback Taylor Martinez in the fourth quarter and ran 69 yards for a touchdown in front of a crowd of more than 60,000 fans at Memorial Stadium.

The moment earned an ESPY for Hoffman and a meeting with President Barack Obama. Later in 2013, Hoffman served as the grand marshal of Nebraska’s homecoming parade.

He maintained a bond with Burkhead, who played 10 seasons in the NFL. Burkhead served as a driving force for the Team Jack Foundation and was a fixture at Team Jack events.

“I don’t think we ever envisioned this,” Burkhead said in 2018.

The Team Jack Gala annually raises money and draws attention to the fight against pediatric brain cancer. The 2025 event is set for Feb. 22, with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins to serve as the keynote speaker.

Jack’s father, Andy Hoffman, instrumental in the growth of the Team Jack Foundation, preceded Jack in death. Andy Hoffman died of brain cancer in 2021.

(Photo of Rex Burkhead and Jack Hoffman: Mitch Sherman / The Athletic)