LINCOLN, Neb. – Jack Hoffman just might go down as the biggest star of the Nebraska spring game.
And he's only 7 years old.
Hoffman of Atkinson, Neb., has won the hearts of fans and everyone in the football program for his courageous bout with brain cancer. Star running back Rex Burkhead befriended the 7-year-old last year and is the captain of the support network known as "Team Jack."
Wearing a miniature Burkhead uniform complete with a No. 22 jersey, Jack ran onto the field late in Saturday's scrimmage.
On a fourth-and-1 play, he took a handoff from Taylor Martinez. As he went down the field, players from the Red and White squads left their sidelines and followed him into the end zone to mob him after his 69-yard touchdown.
The crowd of 60,174 at Memorial Stadium cheered as Jack celebrated — a moment that left his father, Andy, misty-eyed on the sideline.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.