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Inside the story of Jack Hoffman and Nebraska
Rex Burkhead (22) befriended Jack Hoffman and welcomed him to the Nebraska family. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
By Zac Ellis
People are still taking about young Jack Hoffman, the seven-year-old cancer patient and Nebraska fan who ran for a 69-yard touchdown in the Huskers' spring game last Saturday. USA Today's Laken Litman has a great account of Hoffman's journey to becoming Nebraska's inspiration. Hoffman has been battling brain cancer for nearly two years, and last year he befriended Huskers tailback Rex Burkhead, who became the youngster's biggest fan and helped incorporate Hoffman into the Nebraska family. (Hoffman was wearing a miniature Burkhead jersey when he scored his touchdown.)
Zac Ellis joined SI.com in 2011 and has covered college football and basketball since 2012. In addition to features and columns, he is SI’s primary Heisman Trophy analyst.