Pres. Barack Obama became the latest fan of 7-year-old cancer patient Jack Hoffman who inspired the entire nation after his touchdown run in Nebraska's spring football game last April 6.
According to ESPN, President Obama had a 15 minute meeting with Hoffman and his family at the Oval Office on Monday, April 29. Former Cornhuskers running back Rex Burkhead, who also joined the Hoffmans in the meeting, said the President gave Jack a new football and told the boy he was proud of him.
Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals last Saturday, Burkhead first met Jack shortly after the boy was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011. The running back developed a strong tie with the boy and began to lead an awareness campaign called 'Team Jack.'
Since the start of the Team Jack campaign, Hoffman has been a regular face to Nebraska football fanbase and often led the Huskers' traditional Tunnel Walk before their showdown against Nebraska last September.
Obama first learned about Jack during a casual conversation with Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer. Apparently, the President also watched Jack completing a 69-yard touchdown run on television and invited the boy for a meeting at the White House.
ESPN and national news networks first broadcasted Jack's inspiration TD run on National TV while the video received 8 million views on YouTube.
"It was just such a great opportunity for us to visit him and raise national awareness for pediatric brain cancer. He talked about his commitment to research and science," Jack's father Andy Hoffman told ESPN about their experience with the president.
Asked about how he felt after meeting Obama, Jack had a simple yet meaningful reply.
"I thought it was awesome," Jack told ESPN on Monday.
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