Who is Jack Hoffman? What to know of Nebraska super fan who died on Wednesday

Nebraska football super fan Jack Hoffman died from his battle with cancer following a 14-year battle on Wednesday, according to the Team Jack Foundation.

Hoffman, who was 19 years old, was first diagnosed with cancer when he was 5 in 2011. He gained fame in 2013 when he scored a touchdown during a Nebraska spring game. Over the last 14 years, the Team Jack Foundation has raised millions of dollars to support childhood brain cancer research.

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"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Jack Hoffman, the courageous namesake of the Team Jack Foundation. Jack passed away after a long and hard-fought battle with brain cancer, a journey that inspired countless lives and left a legacy of hope, strength, and resilience," the foundation wrote in a statement shared on Facebook.

"Jack Hoffman, you will always be our hero."

In December, the foundation posted on Facebook that Hoffman's latest scans revealed he had "multiple tumor locations."

Here's what you need to know about Hoffman:

How old was Jack Hoffman?

Hoffman was born on September 26, 2005, in Atkinson, Nebraska, and died on Jan. 15, 2025, at 19.

Who was Jack Hoffman?

Hoffman was a Nebraska football fan who became famous for scoring a 69-yard touchdown in the 2013 Nebraska spring game, played in front of 60,000 fans at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

After his initial cancer diagnosis, Andy Hoffman ― Jack Hoffman's father ― reached out to his son's favorite player, Rex Burkhead, ahead of surgery, and the two formed a friendship. Burkhead played for the Cornhuskers from 2009 to 2012 before a 10-year NFL career.

Then, Nebraska coach Bo Pelini invited Hoffman to the Huskers' spring game in 2013, and the rest is history. The moment earned him an ESPY and a meeting with then-President Barrack Obama. He also served as the grand marshal of Nebraska’s homecoming parade in 2013.

According to The Athletic, Hoffman underwent several rounds of chemotherapy last year after enrolling at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He graduated from West Holt High in Atkinson, Nebraska, and earned a full college scholarship from the Kearney Law Opportunities Program.

Team Jack Foundation

Hoffman's touchdown run in 2013 helped launch the Team Jack Foundation, which was started in 2011 when he was first 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 Hoffman Nebraska spring game touchdown run

Hoffman took a handoff from quarterback Taylor Martinez and took it 69 yards for a touchdown.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about Nebraska super fan Jack Hoffman, who died Wednesday