Jack started running to his left, followed by a wall of 250-pound offensive linemen who had been instructed to block, but not to hurt anyone. As Jack cut upfield, the White team’s defensive players—all of them Division I athletes—did something extraordinary. They parted like the Red Sea. They dove out of the way, feigned shoestring tackles, and essentially escorted the little boy in the No. 22 jersey all the way to the end zone.
During a team meeting in the fall of 2012, Burkhead asked Coach Pelini if Jack could suit up for the spring game. The idea was simple: Let Jack experience one carry, just for fun. No one could have predicted what happened next. April 6, 2013. Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska. More than 60,000 fans had shown up for the annual Red-White scrimmage. But this year, the crowd was different. Word had spread about Jack. Many in attendance wore grey "Team Jack" t-shirts. Jack started running to his left, followed by
Burkhead’s involvement caught the attention of then-head coach Bo Pelini. Soon, the entire Nebraska football program adopted Jack. He was given a locker, a jersey (No. 22, Burkhead’s number), and a spot on the sideline during practices. For Jack, the football field became a refuge—a place where he wasn’t a sick kid but a teammate. They dove out of the way, feigned shoestring