The Nebraska Cornhuskers allowed a 7-year-old cancer patient’s dream of scoring a touchdown for Nebraska come true on Saturday.
In front of 60,174 at Memorial Stadium, Jack Hoffman ran 69 yards for a touchdown in a Nebraska Huskers spring game.
Hoffman is a 7-year-old brain cancer patient from Atkinson, NE. He was diagnosed in April 2011 and has had two surgeries. Right now he is on a two-week break from a 60-week chemotherapy regimen.
Football operations director Jeff Jamrog and fullback CJ Zimmerer decided to have Hoffman involved in the spring game. Before the last play receivers coach Rich Fisher brought over Hoffman to show the play he drew.
Hoffman took a handoff from quarterback Taylor Martinez and broke free. The sidelines cleared and the entire Huskers team ran behind Hoffman as he scored the final touchdown. The Huskers lifted Hoffman on their shoulders and Memorial Stadium broke out in cheers.
Nebraska star Rex Burkhead became friends with Hoffman last year and was so happy when Hoffman scored.
“Jack is a fighter, a strong kid,” Burkhead said. “To see him run around and enjoy the Husker experience, it’s a dream come true, especially for kids in the state of Nebraska. For Jack to get down here and do it, I know it made his day.”
An MRI showed Hoffman’s tumor has shrunk a lot in the past year. Hoffman’s father said the family is very optimistic for Jack.
“Jack’s a young man who’s touched the hearts of a lot of people,” said coach Bo Pelini. “Our football team, the student body, people have gotten behind him and he’s become a big part of the team.”
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.