A 'wow' moment repeated nearly eight million times

Yours truly has witnessed some truly magic moments in Nebraska football history as a Husker fan watching in person and on TV, and as a photographer fortunate enough to have sideline access at Memorial Stadium.

Some of my favorites -- Eric Crouch's touchdown catch against Oklahoma. Cory Schlesinger's two late touchdown runs to boost NU to an Orange Bowl win and Tom Osborne's first national championship. All of NU's national titles. Johnny Rodgers' electrifying punt returns. Suh's dominating defense. NU dominating Steve Spurrier's Florida Gators in the Fiesta Bowl. The miracle catch against Missouri, to name a few, with a long list just too long to list here.

It's doubtful in my mind any Husker moments in the past and future will top the feelings, the excitement, the elation I and no doubt countless other NU fans have enjoyed from the highlight of the Nebraska Spring Game a few weeks ago. I still get choked up every time I watch it.

I checked You Tube Friday morning and the spectacular 69-yard touchdown run by 7-year-old Jack Hoffman has recorded nearly eight million hits. I know I've recorded a countless number of those views -- just can't get enough of it.

I didn't see the Husker spring scrimmage in person, and I'm still kicking myself for not driving to Lincoln April 6. What a thrill that must have been to see the Atkinson, Neb. youngster step on the field, wearing the No. 22 of his favorite Husker, Rex Burkhead.

Unless you've been living in a cave recently, you probably know the story of Jack Hoffman, the young Husker fan who has battled pediatric brain cancer for several years. His father, Atkinson attorney Andy Hoffman, contacted Nebraska a while back and inquired if his son could come to Lincoln and meet Burkhead. The Nebraska player took Jack under his wing during the visit, and a fantastic friendship developed.

It's probably hard to determine which is the bigger hero to the other -- the young Husker fan in awe of his favorite player, or the tough NU running back amazed at the toughness and fight in the young boy battling a terrible disease.

GIVE THE HUSKER team and coaches, and especially head coach Bo Pelini, kudos for allowing Jack's highlight to happen. Put yourself in Jack's young shoes -- getting the opportunity to step onto the Memorial Stadium turf in front of a hoard of loud, rabid NU fans and take a handoff from quarterback Taylor Martinez. Run left, cut back to the right (with a little help from Martinez), then sweep around right end and pick up a convoy of Big Red 300-pound lineman. See a huge hole open up, run to daylight, run to glory, use your little 7-year-old legs to out-sprint the Blackshirt defenders to the end zone to complete the glorious 69-yard run.

The play was scripted, but the reaction from the Nebraska players was not. Both Red and White NU teams ran from their respective sidelines to mob Jack in the end zone, lifting him above the huddle to celebrate what truly will be the most special six points scored in Nebraska football history.

Team Jack will benefit from the proceeds of the Saturday, April 20 Husker Hoops special at the MCC Events Center in McCook. A group of Nebraska seniors from the 2012 NU football team, led by Wauneta-Palisade graduate Taylor Dixon, will face a team of area "All-Stars" in the benefit basketball game.

I WON'T LISTENanymore to anyone insult, bitch, gripe, etc. about Coach Pelini. What he helped accomplish, helping lift the spirits of an ailing young NU fan, lifting the spirits of Husker fans and college football fans everywhere, was just amazing.

Tim Marlowe, former Husker wide receiver, will also play for the NU team in McCook Saturday. Marlowe was asked in a phone interview April 18 about the national perception of Pelini's coaching style.

"He's just a passionate coach," Marlowe said. "People see him yelling and they think he's like being a mean guy. He's just passionate about what he does and he just expects the best from us. When we don't give him our best then he gets a little fired up. Having Team Jack is great exposure for him; it showed his kinder side."

Check out another You Tube video showing Pelini participating in the "Harlem Shake" early last season (search Bo Pelini, Harlem Shake on You Tube). I watched it -- hilarious!

A final note on the Husker head coach, taken from a recent story on ESPN.com written by Mark Schlabach, who wrote that Pelini is thankful Jack Hoffman has taught his players lessons that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

"It's what we try to teach them every day: that there's a much bigger picture out there other than football," Pelini said. "There just is. Sometimes, that gets lost with everything that goes into college football. There's so much pressure and so much at stake.

"Sometimes our kids feel like, 'Wow! Football is tough and it's difficult.' Football is hard. But when you compare it to what a 7-year-old like Jack is going through, it pales in comparison. They should look up to the heavens every day and be thankful."

I CAN WRITE a fabulous chapter to Husker Jack's story. Imagine down the road, about 12-13 years or so, a late August Saturday, the Nebraska season opener. A young Nebraska running back steps on the Memorial Stadium turf as NU's starting running back. He's wearing No. 22, just like Rex B., his Husker hero, who has retired after a solid NFL career.

First and 10, Nebraska football at the NU 31 yard line. The public address announcer keys the mike: "Attention please, now entering the game for the Huskers, No. 22, from Atkinson, Nebraska, running back Jack Hoffman."

Hoffman takes the handoff and sprints left, suddenly reverses field and heads around right end. He cuts upfield, finds a big hole and sprints untouched for the 69-yard touchdown.

Let's hope Jack wins his battle and someday gets a chance to play for the Huskers again.

The saying is true -- There is no place like Nebraska.