University of Nebraska football superfan Jack Hoffmanwho famously ran for a touchdown during a 2013 Cornhuskers game, has died after a 14-year battle with brain cancer.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jack Hoffman's passing," The Tim Jack Foundation Confirmed in a statement via Facebook on Wednesday, January 15. "Jack passed away after a long battle with brain cancer, a journey that inspired countless lives and left a legacy of hope, strength and resilience. Jack Hoffman, you will always be our hero."

Hoffman died at his home in Atkinson, Nebraska. According to the Team Jack website, pathology results following a tumor resection surgery in the summer of 2024 revealed that his tumor had progressed to a high-grade glioma. He was 19 years old.

After being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011, Jack formed a bond with the Huskers running back. Rex Burkhead After his father, Andy Hoffmanreached the star player. Two years later, the Nebraska coaching staff invited him to run a play in the fourth quarter of the spring game. Rocking a miniature No. 22 Burkhead jersey, Hoffman — then 7 years old — took a handoff. Taylor Martinez and ran 69 yards into the end zone at Memorial Stadium to the cheers of 60,000 people.

A video of the game, dubbed "The Run", received millions of views youtube, And a few weeks later, Jack visits Burkhead Barack Obama In the Oval Office. In July 2013, he was awarded ESPN's ESPY Award for "Best Moment in Sports".

Jack's moment in the spotlight helped his parents launch their foundation, which has raised more than $14 million to support pediatric brain cancer research. (Andy died in 2021 at age 42 from glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer.)

Love you friend. Tell Jesus we say hello. https://t.co/ipiVTZbZGe

— Rex Burkhead (@RBrex34) January 15, 2025

"Zack Hoffman embodies what it means to be a Husker every day through his courage, fight and motivation," wrote the Nebraska Cornhuskers' official social media account. through x Wednesday "We are heartbroken for his loss and send all our love to the Hoffman family."

Burkhead - now a player for the NFL's Houston Texans - also sent his condolences. through xIt reads, “Love my friend. Tell Jesus we say hello.”

Despite his diagnosis, Jack played on his own high school football team as a lineman before becoming a freshman studying political science at the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2024. The school released a statement Wednesday calling the teenager a "valued member of our Loper community," revealing that Jack made the dean's list this past semester.

"Zack was widely admired in Nebraska and beyond for his courageous attitude and dedication to raising awareness of childhood cancer through the Team Zack Foundation," the school's statement said. “We send our deepest condolences to Jack's family, friends and all whose lives he touched. His connection to the UNK community was meaningful and his impact will not be forgotten. We are grateful for the time he shared with us.”

In a 2020 interview with ESPN, Jack reflected on "The Run" and revealed that he didn't realize the moment would be such a big deal. He recalled not knowing where the end zone was, and the wisdom his father shared years later: "If you don't know it, run until you hit the fence."

Jack is survived by his mother, Bree Hoffmanand two sisters.