Jack H----------------------------------------------------------------off Now

That boy was Jack Hoffman. His name is not just a footnote in Huskers lore; it is a symbol of resilience, community, and the profound power of sport to transcend competition. Born on September 23, 2005, in Atkinson, Nebraska, Jack was a typical farm kid—full of energy, curiosity, and a burgeoning love for Cornhusker football. That all changed in April 2011. Just before his sixth birthday, Jack began experiencing persistent headaches, vomiting, and balance issues. His parents, Andy and Brianna Hoffman, rushed him to the Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha.

The 69-yard run gave the foundation a rocket ship of publicity. Within the first year, the Team Jack Foundation had raised over $1.5 million. They partnered with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the Children’s Hospital of Omaha to fund a dedicated pediatric brain cancer research fellowship.

Go Big Red. Go Team Jack.

Jack started running to his left, followed by a wall of 250-pound offensive linemen who had been instructed to block, but not to hurt anyone. As Jack cut upfield, the White team’s defensive players—all of them Division I athletes—did something extraordinary. They parted like the Red Sea. They dove out of the way, feigned shoestring tackles, and essentially escorted the little boy in the No. 22 jersey all the way to the end zone.

That single play became the most-watched moment in Nebraska spring game history. But the story was just beginning. Inspired by the outpouring of support, Andy and Brianna Hoffman founded the Team Jack Foundation in late 2013. Their mission was simple but audacious: to raise funds for pediatric brain cancer research, a notoriously underfunded area of oncology. While adult brain cancers receive millions in federal and private funding, childhood brain tumors often get less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget. That boy was Jack Hoffman

With 1:24 remaining in the second quarter, Coach Pelini called a timeout. He walked onto the field, took the microphone, and announced: "We’re gonna put Jack in the game."

Burkhead’s involvement caught the attention of then-head coach Bo Pelini. Soon, the entire Nebraska football program adopted Jack. He was given a locker, a jersey (No. 22, Burkhead’s number), and a spot on the sideline during practices. For Jack, the football field became a refuge—a place where he wasn’t a sick kid but a teammate. That all changed in April 2011

Jack ran for a touchdown. When he crossed the goal line, he spiked the ball with the kind of elation only a child can show. His teammates mobbed him. The crowd erupted in a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. Many were crying. Sportscasters across the country ran the clip on loop.