Nebraska mourns passing of Jack Hoffman, Husker fan known for ‘The Run,’ after cancer battle
Nebraska is mourning the passing of beloved fan Jack Hoffman on Wednesday.
Hoffman is a young fan who is known for “The Run,” in which he ran for a touchdown during the 2013 Cornhuskers’ spring game and became a catalyst for pediatric brain cancer fundraising. Hoffman passed away at the age of 19 after battling cancer for 14 years.
The young fan was diagnosed with a cancerous glioma when he was 5. After 90% of the tumor was removed, the remaining tumor was kept from growing for years and Hoffman was able to live a mostly normal life. Unfortunately, Jack’s tumor began growing again in 2024 and advanced to a high-grade glioma.
After news of Hoffman’s passing, many in the Nebraska community posted on social media in honor of the beloved fan.
Small in stature, but not in heart.
Your legacy will live on forever Jack. ❤️ https://t.co/YZfSWIXIya pic.twitter.com/mnVQkHBW37
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) January 15, 2025
This is heartbreaking
My heart goes out to the Hoffman family and everyone involved with the @teamjack foundation that have been fighting their asses off to raise money for pediatric brain cancer – all from the inspiration of Jack Hoffman
Rest in peace to a Husker legend 🙏🏻 https://t.co/rHVybXxAGK pic.twitter.com/tg6adbSrS2
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) January 15, 2025
Jack Hoffman embodied what it means to be a Husker every day through his courage, fight, and inspiration.
We are heartbroken by his loss and send all our love to the Hoffman family. pic.twitter.com/dBbmwPEEBC
— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) January 15, 2025
Jack’s favorite player was Rex Burkhead, and the former Nebraska RB was one of the people to post about Jack’s passing. Jack got to meet Burkhead before his risky surgery back in 2011.
Later during the 2011 season, Burkhead used Jack’s story to motivate his teammates in a close game. With the Huskers trailing Ohio State by 3 touchdowns, Burkhead fired up some of his teammates by mentioning the inspirational boy he’d just met. “Hey, Jack wouldn’t give up,” he told them, “so why should we?” Nebraska rallied, and Burkhead scored the game-winning touchdown.
Love you buddy. Tell Jesus we say hello. https://t.co/ipiVTZbZGe
— Rex Burkhead (@RBrex34) January 15, 2025