Jack Hoffman, the 8-year-old cancer patient whose 69-yard-touchdown during a Nebraska football game won the hearts of America last year, is once again fighting for his life.
Jack, of Atkinson, Nebraska, was diagnosed with brain cancer three years ago. His inspirational story made headlines in April 2013 when the Nebraska Cornhuskers allowed him to score the game-ending touchdown at the school's annual Red-White Spring Game.
Miraculously, Jack's cancer went into remission a few months later after an intense year of chemotherapy. But now it seems the tumor has returned.
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"Today, we were humbly reminded that when your child has an inoperable brain tumor, that anything can happen at any point in time,"
Andy Hoffman, Jack's dad, wrote on the Caring Bridge website on Wednesday. "Despite Jack’s tumor being declared in remission last October, today we learned that is no longer the case."
Jack will now begin a second round of chemotherapy and possibly take part in clinical trials, according to his parents.
The announcement that Jack's cancer has returned was met with messages of sympathy online.
HuskerCorner.com blogger Brandon Cavanaugh even penned an open letter to Jack upon hearing the news.
"You've been guttier than any facemask-crushing fullback and braver than the punt returner who gets drilled again and again but comes back for more before eventually taking one to the house," Cavanaugh wrote.
"I've seen Herbie Husker change as I’ve grown up and I saw the birth of Lil’ Red. Quite frankly, Jack, I think it’s you that is not only the mascot of Nebraska football, but the Nebraska Cornhuskers and what the program stands for."
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