Brock Hoffman is the kind of guy you want anchoring your team—steady, reliable, and tough as nails. The Cowboys‘ centre has been quietly killing it, pulling off clutch plays that don’t always get the spotlight but are so needed. Hoffman recently stepped in for Zack Martin, allowing just one quarterback pressure over 70 pass-blocking snaps—proof of his steady rise as a dependable Cowboys lineman.

But what really sets him apart isn’t just his football skills—it’s the story behind them. Hoffman’s journey to the NFL has been anything but smooth, shaped by a family tragedy that hits hard. His mom, Stephanie, was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and instead of taking a step back, she kept working to support her family. That resilience? It’s at the core of who Brock is today.

What happened to Brock Hoffman’s mom?

Let’s talk about Stephanie Hoffman, the real MVP of Brock Hoffman’s life. When she was hit with a brain tumour diagnosis in 2017 but life didn’t suddenly hit pause for her. Bills had to be paid, kids had to be supported, and so, like the fighter she is, she powered through. While juggling work and her health, Stephanie had to undergo multiple surgeries. Fortunately, the tumor was non-cancerous.

For Hoffman, watching his mom fight through it all was a total mind-opener. Her strength became the blueprint for his own drive. She wasn’t going to let a brain tumour define her, even though the multiple surgeries rendered her deaf in her left ear and unable to see from her left eye. Stephanie is also suffering from facial paralysis due to the treatments and medical procedures.

But she made sure the now-Cowboys’ star didn’t stop chasing his NFL dreams. But if you think that’s where the inspiration ends, think again. Stephanie’s fight wasn’t just a chapter in Hoffman’s story—it laid the foundation for everything he’s built. And speaking of foundations, her illness ended up being the reason Brock made one of the most controversial decisions of his college career.

Why was Brock’s waiver request denied?

Let’s time-travel to 2019. Brock started his college career at Coastal Carolina (4 hours away from home) but to cut his journey sort planned to transfer to Virginia Tech when his mom’s health took a turn for the worse. That makes sense, right? Like you want to be closer to home, support your family, and still play ball. But that wasn’t his initial plan: He reached out to NCAA for a waiver request, and it was denied!

The reason: His mom’s condition didn’t meet their criteria for “extenuating circumstances.” Yep, you read that right—a brain tumour wasn’t considered enough of a reason. ‘Talk about being insensitive.‘ The request was not taken seriously from NCAA’s end because Stephanie chose to continue her job. But Hoffman’s father gave a deeper look at the situation. Per Hoffman Sr., “We have almost a million dollars of medical bills. She’s a teacher and doesn’t have enough years to get full pay for her pension. We simply couldn’t afford it.”

But Brock? He didn’t just sit around sulking about it. He took the hit, rolled with it, and transferred to Virginia Tech. His time at Virginia Tech proved he wasn’t just all talk, and in 2020 and 2021 as a key offensive lineman—he was all about action. And all the while, he stayed true to his roots, proving that no NCAA ruling could shake his focus on family and football.