Nebraska fan and cancer patient Jack Hoffman meets President Obama

President Barack Obama met Monday with Nebraska fan and cancer patient Jack Hoffman in the White House. (Pete Souza/White House photo)

The 7-year-old cancer patient who touched hearts across the nation after scoring a touchdown in Nebraska's spring game traveled to the White House to meet President Barack Obama on Monday.

Hoffman became a sensation after he came onto the field during Nebraska's spring game to run for a 69-yard touchdown, before being lifted up by members of the Cornhuskers' team in the end zone. Hoffman, who has brain cancer, befriended star running back Rex Burkhead last year.

Andy Hoffman, Jack's dad, said the trip came about after Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) mentioned Jack's story to Obama, who had been aware of it. The White House called the Hoffman family earlier this month.

Andy Hoffman told the Lincoln Journal Star that the family and Obama discussed a path forward for pediatric brain cancer research.

“It was a great visit,” Andy Hoffman said.  “This is huge for the disease, it has never had this kind of spotlight, and that's what excites us.”