Boy with cancer scores big with Nebraska football fans
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Standing barely chest-high to his Nebraska teammates, 7-year-old Jack Hoffman was the star of the Cornhuskers’ spring game this weekend after taking home the title of leading rusher.
And now his 69-yard touchdown, along with his story about fighting brain cancer, is attracting millions of fans.
Video of Jack dressed in a full Nebraska uniform, charging down the field Saturday before more than 60,000 fans, had been viewed more than 2 million times on YouTube by Monday. It also aired on ESPN and national news networks.
His father says he hopes Jack’s memorable touchdown will highlight the need for more research into pediatric brain cancer.
Jack, who lives in Atkinson, Neb., was diagnosed in 2011. He’s had two surgeries and is on a two-week break from a 60-week chemotherapy regimen.