Connect with us

Nebraska

Young cancer patient who inspired millions with viral Nebraska football touchdown dies at 19

Published

on

Young cancer patient who inspired millions with viral Nebraska football touchdown dies at 19


A young cancer patient who inspired millions of college football fans in 2013 with a 69-yard springtime sprint in Nebraska has died of the disease, officials said Wednesday.

Jack Hoffman, a freshman at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and an aspiring attorney, was 19.

“Jack may no longer be with us in person, but his legacy lives on in the work of the Team Jack Foundation, in the lives of the children and families we’ve helped, and in the hope he gave to so many,” said a statement from Team Jack, a foundation that raises money for cancer research in the young man’s honor. “Jack Hoffman, you will always be our hero.”

Hoffman was just 5 when he was diagnosed with brain cancer, and his treatment for the ultimately fatal disease took center stage in 2013 during the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ spring football game.

Advertisement

At the end of the extended practice, the Huskers ran Hoffman out on the field in full uniform. Longtime Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez took a shotgun snap, handed the ball to 7-year-old Jack and helped direct the boy to run downfield at Memorial Stadium.

The little boy sprinted 69 yards to the end zone, with an escort of Huskers joyously running alongside the young cancer patient.

His lead blocker, fullback C.J. Zimmerer, hoisted Jack in celebration as soon as they crossed the goal line.

Jack Hoffman before delivering a drug-free pledge during the halftime of a Nebraska college football game in 2014.Nati Harnik / AP file

Footage of the TD run has gained more than 9 million views on the athletic department’s YouTube channel since it first dropped nearly 12 years ago.

The University of Nebraska said it is “heartbroken by his loss” but forever inspired by the youngster’s “courage, fight, and inspiration.”

Advertisement

“Small in stature, but not in heart,” the university’s statement said. “Your legacy will live on forever Jack.”

The young man was preceded in death by his father, attorney Andy Hoffman, who died of brain cancer in 2021.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Nebraska

Podcast: Nebraska football’s transfer portal, special teams and Husker hoops

Published

on

Podcast: Nebraska football’s transfer portal, special teams and Husker hoops


Our Amie Just and Luke Mullin are back to discuss Nebrask football’s special teams as they look ahead to this year’s offseason football. Plus, Nebraska wrestling coach Mark Manning got his 300th win with the program; women’s basketball player Allison Weidner is likely out for the season.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Nebraska

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

Published

on

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.”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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)



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Nebraska

Gov. Pillen appoints Judge Bergevin to Nebraska Supreme Court

Published

on

Gov. Pillen appoints Judge Bergevin to Nebraska Supreme Court


Subhead

Bergevin was one of 3 candidates to be interviewed here 

Body

Gov. Jim Pillen has announced his appointment of the Honorable Jason M. Bergevin of Columbus as an associate justice to the Nebraska Supreme Court representing the Fifth Judicial District. The announcement was made on Jan. 2. 
“Judge Bergevin is a dedicated jurist with extensive experience as an attorney and most recently as a district judge representing the Fifth Judicial District,” said Gov. Pillen. “I have great confidence in Judge Bergevin’s abilities, and I know he has deep respect and integrity when it comes to matters of the court. I am pleased to elevate him to this role on Nebraska’s Supreme Court.”
“I am honored to be chosen as the next judge of the Nebraska Supreme Court from the Fifth Judicial District,” said Justice Bergevin. “Three highly qualified applicants stepped forward for this position. I appreciate Governor Pillen’s confidence in me. I will work hard to continue serving the Nebraska Judicial Branch and the people of our state.”
Bergevin was the second of three candidates for the position to be interviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission on Dec. 12 in the 5th District courtroom on the third floor of the Hamilton County Courthouse. Fourteen members of the commission heard presentations and asked questions of Judge Bergevin, as well as David Bargen of Adams and Lawrence Welch, Jr. of Plattsmouth, the other two candidates. 
In his opening remarks to the commission, Bergevin mentioned his prior experience as a practicing attorney and as a Judge Advocate General officer in the U.S. Air Force. 
“I have been in the battle and I would be a supreme court justice who can remember what it was like to be a litigator,” he added. 
In answer to a question from a member of the panel regarding how he would separate his personal views from judicial decisions, Bergevin said he believes a judge should regularly be unhappy with the result of a case because it meant the law was being followed, even though it went against his own personal preferences. 
In addition to his recent role as district judge (2022), Bergevin also oversaw the opening of one of the state’s newest problem-solving courts in Platte County last summer. He was an assistant attorney general in the Nebraska Attorney General’s office for seven years where he worked with county attorneys in the prosecution of complex cases, was legal advisor to multiple state agencies and reviewed agency regulations. Bergevin also held multiple positions in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps up until 2022 and has prior experience in both the Lancaster County Attorney’s office and the Weld County District Attorney’s office in Greeley, Colo.
Bergevin holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) and earned his juris doctor from Western New England University School of Law in Massachusetts.
The Fifth Judicial District for the Nebraska Supreme Court consists of Hamilton and 24 other counties in this part of Nebraska. The vacancy was due to Judge Jeffrey Funke’s appointment as chief justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending