Some stories transcend sports, leaving a lasting mark on the world. The Nebraska Cornhuskers superfan, Jack Hoffman, who inspired millions with his unforgettable 69-yard touchdown run during Nebraska’s 2013 spring game, passed away at just 19 years old after a courageous battle with brain cancer. His bravery on and off the field sparked a national movement, and his legacy continues to shine through the work of his parents.

Andy and Bri Hoffman were more than just Jack’s biggest cheerleaders; they were warriors in the fight against pediatric brain cancer. After Jack’s initial diagnosis in 2011, they founded the Team Jack Foundation, dedicating their lives to raising awareness and funding research for a cure. Andy Hoffman, Jack’s father, was the heartbeat of this mission. A lawyer by trade, Andy brought his tenacity to the fight against pediatric brain cancer after Jack’s diagnosis. His connection to football became a crucial part of the journey. Andy reached out to Rex Burkhead, Jack’s favorite player on the Nebraska Cornhuskers, ahead of Jack’s surgery.

The two bonded instantly, with Burkhead’s support serving as a lifeline for the family. That connection culminated in one of the most unforgettable moments in sports: Jack’s 69-yard touchdown run during Nebraska’s 2013 spring game. The crowd erupted, players hoisted him on their shoulders, and in that moment, Jack wasn’t just a patient—he was a hero. “It was surreal,” Andy later recalled. The momentum from that touchdown carried the Hoffmans into the national spotlight. Just weeks later, Jack, his family, and Burkhead were invited to the White House, where they met President Barack Obama. “I’m proud of you,” Obama told Jack, handing him a new football and affirming the power of his story. A few months after that, Jack’s run won the ESPY Award for “Best Moment in Sports.” It wasn’t just a victory for the Hoffman family; it was a win for every family battling pediatric cancer.

Andy’s commitment to the cause was unwavering, even as he faced his own health challenges. In 2020, Andy was diagnosed with a brain tumor. True to form, he approached his diagnosis with courage and purpose, continuing to advocate for pediatric cancer research while battling his own illness. Tragically, Andy passed away in 2021 at just 42 years old, but his legacy endures. Under Bri’s leadership, the Team Jack Foundation has continued to flourish, raising millions of dollars and funding groundbreaking research.

Bri, Jack’s steadfast mother, has continued to honor her family’s mission, carrying the torch for Team Jack and the countless families impacted by this devastating disease. A pharmacist by profession, she balanced her career with the demands of running a foundation, raising three children, and navigating unimaginable grief. Yet, she remains steadfast in her mission to honor both Andy and Jack, who recently passed away after his long battle with cancer. The foundation’s heartfelt statement on Facebook captured the enormity of the loss: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Jack Hoffman, the courageous namesake of the Team Jack Foundation.”

The Hoffman’s great initiative for Jack Hoffman

The Cornhuskers’ super-Jack’s touchdown run in 2013 helped launch the Team Jack Foundation, which was started in 2011 when the 5-year-old was diagnosed. The initial effort was to sell wristbands and shirts to show support for Hoffman.

The foundation has over $14 million to raise awareness for and support pediatric brain cancer research. Jack graduated from West Holt High in Atkinson, Nebraska, and earned a full college scholarship from the Kearney Law Opportunities Program.

Through heartbreak, the Hoffmans turned their pain into purpose, inspiring a community—and a nation—to believe in something bigger.