He had to medically retire due to concussions prior to Stanfords bowl game in 2016. He was born to Shannon Hoffpauir, Doug Hoffpauir, According to AZCentral, Hoffpauir was staying with his dad in Arizona during the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis. Zach, 26, died in his sleep May 15 at his father's home in Arizona. He goes I would love to go fishing with you and papa but I have too many video things going on today with school. So the last thing we talked about I just said, Zach I love you, and he goes Yeah, I love you, too.. McCaffrey shared similar sentiments, noting Zachs unique passion for leading the players and honesty about his own experiences. Life without Zach Hoffpauir wont be easy for those who loved him. Recently, it was reported that Hoffpauir had CTE, and was diagnosed with the same level of CTE that former USC Trojans and San . Though concussions derailed his dreams of playing pro football, Hoffpauir was a member of three Pac 12 champion football teams, played in two Rose Bowls and was an All-Pac 12 honorable mention. Gratitude became an important part of Zachs healing process. but it can also be stressful. To the casual onlooker, it would have seemed Zach had life all figured out. College Sports | For most his life, Zach Hoffpauir was guided forward by sports. By Tom Scanlon, Glendale Star Managing Editor. */. He also shared how he increased his emotional literacy and was able to name the emotions he was feeling rather than bury them. Hoffpauirs career doesnt fit neatly into the model usually associated with players who display symptoms of CTE later in life. Family donates brain of Ex-Stanford safety Zach Hoffpauir - Yahoo Sports (Photo by Mary Grace Grabill/Cronkite News). Hed have been out there, messing with everyone, Doug said. Zach brought a sparkle to the world that was unlike anything else. Several themes emerged from their tearful tributes. It was not meant to be, however, as Zach would hang up the gloves for a final time and head back to Arizona. He was never one of the so-called Pee Wee bobbleheads, where the young brain sits atop an undeveloped neck and absorbs hundred, if not thousands of hits. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Zach Hoffpauir, one of the greatest athletes in Arizona high school history, died Thursday morning. Joyce Ann Hoffpauir. This narrowed his choice to two colleges: Arizona State and Stanford. In the closing moments of his Untold interview, Zach spoke about the power of vulnerability and opening up to others about what youre going through. College and professional athletes, particularly football players, often get unfairly stereotyped. 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He clicked with junior safety Jamond Dubose on day one, talking for two hours about life and their similar experiences. I would tell him that hes the love of my life and he was enough, just him, Shannon Hoffpauir said. He finally found his direction. Hoffpauir recently was hired by Northern Colorado football coach Ed McCaffrey to be his defensive backs coach. The passing of this extraordinary talent was devastating to his wide circle. Rare two-sport star Zach Hoffpauir dies at 26 I felt helpless because I wanted to fix things for Zach, but I did not know what was really wrong.. He spent one year in their organization (Class-A), then returned to Stanford for the 2016 season to complete his football career. Doug said the university reached out the day after news broke about his son's death to . Learn more about what we do and how to find our content on our broadcast, digital and social media platforms. Zach Hoffpauir died on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at the age of 26. 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Hoffpauir and McCaffrey were teammates at Stanford. (Courtesy of Morgan Williams), Zach Hoffpauir smiles while on the football field at Stanford. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! But he knew something was wrong.. (Courtesy of the Hoffpauir family), Zach Hoffpauir laughs while he holds an iPad at his family's Christmas celebration. 3 Cardinal past No. The news hit Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey and his family hard. Last Thursday morning, Zach Hoffpauir passed away at the age of 26. Christian McCaffrey was his best friend. Zachs father, Doug, remembers waking up and knowing something was wrong. He was a young, intelligent coach with limitless potential. 1 of 2 Zach Hoffpauir (10) participates in a scrimmage with Stanford Cardinal teammates in Palo Alto, Calif. on Saturday, April 2, 2016. It didn't kill former Stanford football player Zach Hoffpauir, who died . He began writing whenever he felt anxious, listing whatever he felt grateful for in that moment to ground him. Doug Hoffpauir, Zach's father, told Richard Obert of the Arizona Republic in a text message about . He broke the mold and spent his life helping others do the same no matter what kind of mold they were supposed to fit into. Apollo Baton Rouge takes 'Expedition' theme for 41st annual ball Hoffpauir, who was from Glendale, Arizona, was close friends with McCaffreys son, Christian, whos now an All-Pro running back for the Carolina Panthers, when they both attended Stanford. Zach gave up basketball to focus on football and baseball. In a September 2019 interview on Untold, a podcast hosted by fellow former Pac-12 safety Jordan Simone, Zach estimated he had five or six on the record concussions, and that at least two of them came in the 2016 season. The university . He taught me how to not give a fuck about what people think about me, and to do it my way. Zach even joined his mother for a Mothers Day sermon last year when he shared about his mental health. Theres no way to specify when the disease started. He was at the same time: the big brother you always wanted, the life coach you never knew you needed and the friend you knew would always have your back.. 17 UCLA, My AP WBB ballot: Stanford-UCLA starts Cardinals huge week. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Brad Cesmat, founder and CEO of Sports360AZ.com, said that he first approached Shannon and Doug about doing a documentary on their son in mid-May. Stanford's Hoffpauir had concussions; brain to be studied Back home, Zachs parents could see just how much their son was hurting underneath and after his 21st birthday, he had a failed attempt to take his own life. Zach would come back to Arizona, medically retired from football. Brink, Jump lead No. Zach Hoffpauir was a multi-sport athlete at Centennial High School in Peoria, Arizona before becoming an all-conference defensive back and outfielder for Stanford University. James Hoffpauir Obituary (1940 - 2022) - Chalmette, LA - Legacy You knew when (Zach) was coming down the hallway. Although we cannot yet accurately diagnose CTE in living people, a specialist can help treat the symptoms presenting the most challenges. Zach Hoffpauir: The Real Story | Documentary - www.sports360az.com/ Zach was known for encouraging friends to keep pursuing their faith and shooting the breeze with family friends. I mightve just fallen on my knees and cried, Doug Hoffpauir said, holding back tears. Zach's loved ones will remember his athletic accomplishments, but more than that, they'll remember his gentle spirit that gave love to anyone who would accept it. He would talk to anyone, she said. TRANSACTIONS - Orlando Sentinel Were going to let them do the research.. UCLA stuns Stanford women in Pac-12 tournament semifinals, Brink, Jump lead No. All the things you try to instill in your kid, he was doing that. Arizona Cardinals facilities grade poorly in anonymous NFLPA poll, Coin collectors unite: National Money Show in Phoenix features rare currency, Desert Botanical Garden nurtures endangered monarchs and native butterflies at Majestic Mariposas exhibit, Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Kyle Lewis looks to swat injury bug and return to form with new club, Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone usher in new era of Los Angeles Dodgers pitching, Tiger Woods newest business venture opens its doors in Glendale, Hobbs says state will not proceed for now with court-ordered execution, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. It was a moment of celebration but also melancholy as Doug and Shannon Hoffpauir led a crowd to the middle of the Centennial High School football field. But this time, Zach entered a deep funk. He detailed how in spring 2019 he attempted to take his life by overdosing on Xanax and Benadryl. Stanford women: Brink, Jones power No. UNC football honors former assistant coach Zach Hoffpauir, family He always said 'hashtag CTE'.".