Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Cornhuskers' seven-year-old running back meets Obama at White House

Seven-year-old Jack Hoffman became an Internet sensation and inspiration to millions after he took the field at a Nebraska Cornhuskers spring game and ran for a touchdown.  Hoffman, who is battling brain cancer, became the stuff of legends when he scooted 69 yards with the ball followed by the jubilant players.

One other person who followed him from a distance that day was the President of the United States.

On Monday, young Jack, his family and his friend, former Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead, visited President Obama in the Oval Office and talked for fifteen minutes. He received a signed football from the POTUS who told the littlest Cornhusker he was proud of him.

"I though it was awesome, " Hoffman said about his visit to the White House.

Jack became a favorite fan of the team when the Nebraska native befriended Burkhead after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2011. Suited up in a miniature No. 22 Burkhead uniform, Hoffman had the stadium crowd on its feet when he ran into the end zone on April 6.

The heartwarming run down the field has been viewed more than 7.7 million times on YouTube.



A photo released by the White House shows the pair chatting as Hoffman holds his souvenir. He was joined at the White House by his parents Andy and Bri and little sisters Ava and Reese.

"It was just such a great opportunity for us to visit him and raise national awareness for pediatric brain cancer," Hoffman’s father Andy said. "He talked about his commitment to research and science."

Hoffman was also joined at the White House by Burkhead, captain of the support network known as "Team Jack." The running back was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.



3 comments:

  1. What a wonderful video. It is nice to know that our President has a soft spot for these amazing events.

    ReplyDelete
  2. well done Huskers.... Well done JACK!!!

    ReplyDelete