It was a tragedy, and a shock to everybody involved. He has roots in Colorado and Arizona and joined the Bay Area News Group in March 2019. At Zachs celebration of life, Stanford administrator Ron Lynn described Zach as a young man with an old soul. Centennial Highs football coach Richard Taylor added a similar sentiment. 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. Zachs father, Doug Hoffpauir, said Zach spent his life taking time to connect with others. UNC football honors former assistant coach Zach Hoffpauir, family He had so much to look forward to.". Its so sad.. It wouldve been great to see him here, he said. Recently, it was reported that Hoffpauir had CTE, and was diagnosed with the same level of CTE that former USC Trojans and San . Former Stanford Football, Baseball Player Zach Hoffpauir Dies at Age 26 Former Stanford two-sport star Zach Hoffpauir dies at 26 - ESPN.com Football was still relatively new to Zach, so Taylor worried the hit would scare Zach away from the sport. Former Stanford football player Zach Hoffpauir posthumously - SFGATE Hoffpauirs freshman slump was a blip in an otherwise decorated career in Palo Alto. UNC football honors former assistant coach Zach Hoffpauir, family She went on to play volleyball at Lee University in Tennessee. Zach knew something was wrong. The attempt to take his own life came after several life-changing events, including his parents divorce, a breakup and his grandmothers cancer diagnosis. He never played Pop Warner. Zach loved sports and the opportunities they gave him, but he loved spending time with people a lot more. The disease carries three classic features the CTE triad according to Dr. Robert Cantu of the Concussion Legacy Foundation. In 2011, his last football season at Centennial, Hoffpauir was all over the field as a hard-hitting safety and a red-zone running back finding tough yards into the end zone. But Zach was just more susceptible it was just the way his body was.. The school provided no further details. Local Sports Things To Do Business eNewspaper Politics USA TODAY Obituaries . But now it makes so much sense. 0. While his mental state never got down to where it was before, it was enough to keep him up night after night. Zach Hoffpauir making an impact for Stanford Cardinal baseball - ESPN Feb 22, 2023. Low 42F. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a degenerative brain disease found posthumously in the brains of football players. That was his heart.. Ex-Stanford football, baseball standout dies at 26 (Courtesy of Shannon Hoffpauir), Zach Hoffpauir, left, poses for a photo with his cousin, Morgan Williams, at the family's 2019 Christmas Celebration. Hes like my heartbeat.. Hoffpauir's father, Doug Hoffpauir, confirmed his death to The Arizona Republic. Send Flowers. Sympathy Ideas. College Sports | It lists . I have nothing else to give.. Stanford safety Zach Hoffpauir (10) had 99 tackles in his Stanford career. "He's like my heartbeat.". Athletically, Zachs freshman year in Palo Alto was not as prolific as his freshman year at Centennial. Zach didnt shy away from showing his imperfections and struggles. His heart ached to care for them. "I am devastated by the loss," Ed began his social media post. Hoffpauir was 26 years old. You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. 418 likes. Zach acknowledged that he felt the weight of those who were rooting for him, those that dreamed so highly for him, and could not bear the thought of letting them down. Instead, Zach found his favorite part of football. She was born October 30, 1944, in Houston to Virble and Hilda Nerren. Advertisement. Doug could tell he was cognizant of and upset by his mood changes. Theres no way to specify when the disease started. At his memorial, Zachs pastor said, Everything Zach did was loud and it was passionate.. He commented at the time on Hoffpauir's character and how he felt he would some day become a great coach. Zachs heart was with ASU, Shannon said in the documentary, But pressure from his family, his friends, and himself, influenced Zach into choosing Stanford. I was totally at peace with it, Doug Hoffpauir said Monday. He loved coaching those boys, Shannon Hoffpauir said. Zach also began seeing mental health professionals. Instead, he used those to connect with others. In the documentary, Hoffpauirs mother described a world in which her son lived into middle age. The totality of the damage brought Zachs football career to an end. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Dont mess with his friends, dont mess with his family, said Lynn. Zach Hoffpauir could catch a ball at 9 months old and could dribble a basketball at 2. We were all lucky to know you for the time we did.. He was the definition of a natural athlete. Former Stanford, Cal MBB coach Mike Montgomery says schools are not keeping up with college changes He quickly made a name for himself on the Centennial freshman football team. Zach Ryan SimonGUEYDAN - It's with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Zach Ryan Simon announces his passing from this life on November 17, 2012. Zach even joined his mother for a Mothers Day sermon last year when he shared about his mental health. Zach Hoffpauir, a two-sport standout at Stanford who earned All-Pac 12 honours as a safety in football and played two seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks' minor league system, has died at age 26. He was the personality of the school, too, said Diane Dunham, a history teacher at Centennial. He played primarily on special teams in football and struggled mightily in baseball. Northern Colorado coach Zach Hoffpauir suffered concussions, battled The rookie coach made an early impact on his players. Cavness, expressed the same feeling in his eulogy. He made a difference in the life of every person he met.. D-backs draftee Zach Hoffpauir dies at 26 | 12news.com - KPNX All the things you try to instill in your kid, he was doing that. But on May 14, while living with his father in Phoenix during the pandemic, Hoffpauir took a Percocet to help him sleep and never woke up. 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. He enjoyed horseback riding, fly fishing and vacationing with his family in Mexico, listening to the same music and breathing the same air, his dad said. (Courtesy of the Hoffpauir family), Zach Hoffpauir, right, takes a photo with his family, including his step brothers and step mother. He wanted to touch their lives and make sure they were whole on the inside and not just football players to be used.. Just imagine what Zachs parents are going through, said Dr. Ann McKee, Director of the VA-BU-CLF Brain Bank, in a 2021 documentary from Sports360AZ about Zachs life. He rooted for the underdogs. Zach brought a sparkle to the world that was unlike anything else. I dont want people to think, This could happen to your kid. I mean, it could happen. Clear to partly cloudy. Zach was the hardest hitter, most aggressive player I ever played against, said McCaffery at the memorial. Hoffpauir is hoping to regain his starting position at . He was like a brother to our boys, Ed McCaffrey said. To mourn his loss, Huffy leaves behind his loving wife, Janice Smith Hoffpauir; his daughters, Janna Perret (Steve), Jodi Hoffpauir (John Rahaim), and Jeana Anderson (Chris); his grandchildren, Sara, Garrett . He returned and won back his starting position at free safety, and had a strong start to the season before two concussions in back-to-back games ended his season and ultimately, his football career. The legacy of Zach Hoffpauir lives on forever at Centennial high school. He told Shaw how he had identified the most important quality in any great coach was not discipline, communication, or any tactical trait. Zach Hoffpauir, a two-sport standout at Stanford who earned All-Pac 12 honors as a safety in football and played two seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks' minor league system, has died at age 26. All rights reserved. We are more similar than we are different, said Zach. Then, COVID came. Zach Hoffpauir, the University of Northern Colorado safeties coach and former two-sport Stanford standout, was anything but a stereotype. This is fun, Zach told Taylor once his helmet was on straight. You can see the history of people like Zach, going slowly downhill. 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 Hoffpauir Dies at 26: Cause of Death Still Unknown - Heavy.com Gratitude became an important part of Zachs healing process. Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Despite never having Zach as a student, she knew him well during his time there. Our prayers are with the Hoffpauir family, though Zach, you are always with us.. My sincere condolences to Zachs family and his many friends.. Related Articles All the concussions he got from playing shortened his career. To those who knew him, he provided a light that shone in the darkest places and will continue to impact people even in his passing. The family of Zach Hoffpauir is hoping some good can come out of tragedy. He taught me how to enjoy life. Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, More than 25 years experience covering NFL, college football and NASCAR. ", More:Family donates former Centennial, Stanford athlete Zach Hoffpauir's brain for CTE research. And same for the people who went through it with him. Zach Hoffpauir | Obituary | Beyond the Dash Zach Hoffpauir: The football coach Greeley didn't get to meet He did things the right way. That he didnt have enough love for himself.. Zach Hoffpauir documentary shows his impact in life before his death Zach Hoffpauir, a former football and baseball player at Stanford, died in May of an accidental drug overdose, according to a report citing county medical examiner records in his native Arizona . Former Centennial, Stanford athlete Zach Hoffpauir dies at 26 Yesterday Heaven gained an angel, and I lost one of my best friends in the world. UCLA stuns Stanford women in Pac-12 tournament semifinals , A post shared by Christian McCaffrey (@christianmccaffrey) on May 15, 2020 at 8:07am PDT. I would tell him to breathe deep with Jesus and I would see him soon.. My testosterone levels were almost gone. Stanford ex-player Zach Hoffpauir, who died, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Bay Area weather: After thunderstorms and hail, snow could be on the way this weekend, Former Stanford player Zach Hoffpauir, who died accidentally, diagnosed with startling CTE levels, Pac-12 recruiting: Huge weekend for Cal while Oregon and L.A. schools also welcome 2024 recruits, Mailbag: Kliavkoffs risky strategy with Pac-12 media rights, Pac-12 basketball Hot Seat breakdown: Decisions loom as March arrives, Best of the West: Our predictions for the mens WCC tournament, Predictions for Pac-12 media rights, network partners and expansion. McCaffery, a running back drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2017, was told about Zachs condition and acted without hesitation. Who is Zach Hoffpauir? Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, Cause of Death His athletic talent and intense loyalty were both on display in a chippy series against rival Cal in April 2015. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Zach Hoffpauir - Football - Stanford University Athletics I would tell him that hes the love of my life and he was enough, just him, Shannon Hoffpauir said. 2023 Cronkite News. Im done. By Tom Scanlon, Glendale Star Managing Editor. He also starred as an outfielder on Stanfords baseball team and was drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2015. His junior year, Hoffpauir earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention as a safety in football and as a right fielder in baseball. Zach Hoffpauir Stats, Fantasy & News | MiLB.com Zach Hoffpauir (10) Free Safety - As a Fifth-Year Senior (2016) Phil Steele All-Pac-12 preseason third team 10 games played 35 tackles (26 solo), 0.5 tackles The family has asked for time to grieve, he said. Hoffpauirs career doesnt fit neatly into the model usually associated with players who display symptoms of CTE later in life. Watch over us. College Sports | Hoffpauir played two seasons of minor league ball, in 2015 and 2018, hitting .224 with three homers and nine RBIs in 107 at-bats in rookie and Class-A ball. 3 Cardinal past No. But this time, Zach entered a deep funk. With the right diagnosis and the right medication, Zach was on his comeback trail. Zach, 26, died in his sleep May 15 at his father's home in Arizona. "He loved his head coach, Ed McCaffrey. Following Zachs death, Doug was contacted about donating Zachs brain to the VA-BU-CLF Brain Bank for CTE research. Fiorentina captain Davide Astori, a defender who has also been capped by Italy 14 times, has died, the club EDMONTON A Edmonton homeless man whose spontaneous piano performance was viewed on theinternetby millions ofpeople has died. Sharon "Teda" Hoffpauir A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022, 11 a.m., at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church for Sharon "Teda" Hoffpauir, 66, who died Thursday, June 23, 2022 in Crowley, La, surrounded by her loving family. Jaguars won't spend big, but here are five players they could target in free agency, The most memorable pre-NFL draft workouts ever: Coaches, scouts, execs make their picks, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Raiders tag Josh Jacobs, the NFL's rushing leader. The university . His brain was later studied at the VA-BU-CLF Brain Bank, where researchers diagnosed him with Stage 2 (of 4) CTE. Learn more about what we do and how to find our content on our broadcast, digital and social media platforms. He left school in 2015 after being selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 22nd round of the MLB draft. The head coach was Ed McCaffrey, the father of former Stanford star Christian McCaffrey one of Hoffpauirs best friends. As he did with all things, Zach put his all into every hit. Phoenix NBC affiliate KPNX broke the news Thursday. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert. Former Stanford Two-Sport Star Zach Hoffpauir Dies At Age 26 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. Zach Hoffpauir Age. That research will be valuable to future generations. He made me better.. He recently hired Hoffpauir as a defensive backs coach. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } 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. "To a point it was exhausting talking to him. People always tell me I was his biggest cheerleader, but he was really mine, Hillary Hoffpauir said. JASON HOFFPAUIR Cedar Rapids Jason Clyde Hoffpauir, 38, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center. The son of Doug and Shannon Hoffpauir and older brother of Hillary Hoffpauir, Zachary Hoffpauir graduated from Centennial in 2012. On top of the depression and anxiety, he was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in 2019, which weakened his immune system. When Zach took that step up from high school athletics to college athletics, Zach began to feel as if he was losing his passion for the game, his father said. Hoffpauir passed away on May 14, 2020, and was honored Friday by his alma mater during its game against Hamilton. He had to medically retire due to concussions prior to Stanfords bowl game in 2016. He was chosen by The Arizona Republic as the greatest football player in Centennial's rich history. On Untold, Zach shared how deep his emotional pain went. Hoffpauir had stage II the same level found in the brain of Junior Seau after the NFL Hall of Famer took his own life, at the age of 43, with a gunshot to the chest. More Videos Zach Hoffpauir, a former football and baseball player at Stanford, died in May of an accidental drug overdose, according to a reportciting county medical examiner records in his native Arizona. We also knew that this research could help others, and that is exactly what Zach would want.. He was a young, intelligent coach with limitless potential, wrote Ed McCaffery in a Facebook post after Zachs death. */. Christian McCaffrey was his best friend. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. He survived a suicide attempt in 2019. Its hard to find people who when youre around them and theyre truly present, said Thorne. 'There will never be another Zach Hoffpauir' - Peoriatimes (Photo by Mary Grace Grabill/Cronkite News). 6 Stanford over Oregon to reach Pac-12 semis, Former Stanford, Cal MBB coach Mike Montgomery says schools are not keeping up with college changes, Stanford women: Brink, Jones power No. The pressure was. The next play, the next at-bat, the next game, the next sport, the next season. Hoffpauir's parents, Doug and Shannon, were recognized Zach Hoffpauirs legacy undoubtedly lives on in the example he set for how to treat others. (Photo by Mary Grace Grabill/Cronkite News), That morning (May 13) I went to go fishing, said Doug in a Sports360AZ documentary, Zach Hoffpauir: The Real Story. I got up at 3, we talk a little bit. He was good friend's with McCaffrey's son, Christian, a running back for the Carolina Panthers. On a podcast hosted by former Arizona State football player Jordan Simone, Zach Hoffpaiur said he had suffered five or six concussions in his football career and had attempted suicide last year. Zach also set an important precedent by talking about his own struggles with mental health and encouraging others to seek help in their darkest hours. 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.. but it can also be stressful. (Photo by Mary Grace Grabill/Cronkite News). Zach also loved dancing, whether it was in the car, in the Hillsboro Hops baseball clubhouse the minor league team for which he played briefly on the field or at a concert. Jon Wilner has been covering college sports for decades and is an AP top-25 football and basketball voter as well as a Heisman Trophy voter. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? BRAVES -- Purchased contracts of P Zach Schreiber from Triple-A Richmond, P Charlie Morton from Double-A Mississippi and RHP Jairo Cuevas from Single-A Myrtle Beach. 6 Stanford over Oregon to reach Pac-12 semis With Zach preparing for his first season at NCU, he spoke with Shaw about the craft. Zach took the job as a defensive backs coach at NCU. A standout on Stanford's football and baseball teams, Hoffpauir helped the Cardinal win . Newly hired UNC assistant coach, former Stanford athlete dies at 26 But Hoffpauirs brain was not like that of a normal 20-something. He began working locally, working with high school football teams in the Peoria and Phoenix area, including his old stomping ground, Centennial. He was 26 years old. His death revealed the extent of his care toward others. He also contracted Valley Fever and meningitis. I got to know him after the freshmen football season was over, cause he also started on the varsity basketball team at point guard as a freshman. Family and friends can send flowers and condolences in memory of the loved one. Hoffpauir hit .295 with 11 home runs and 58 RBIs at Stanford and was a Pac-12 honorable mention pick in 2015. It made so much sense. This documentary sets the story straight and expands on Zach's journey from childhood to mental health struggles in adulthood to the lasting impact he had on. Details are here, and thanks for your support. He certainly isnt mad at Stanford quite the opposite, in fact. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Former Stanford safety Zach Hoffpauir's brain is being donated to Boston University. I'll cherish all the memories we had bro. The passing of this extraordinary talent was devastating to his wide circle. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Hope Hoffpauir (Crowley, Louisiana), who passed away on January 6, 2019, at the age of 61, leaving to mourn family and friends. Three Zach Hoffpauir accomplished a great deal, but what he did was not who he was. He will be remembered for his love of God, family, and friends. College Sports | I am so incredibly saddened that a bright light that could have had such a positive influence on so many lives burnt out way too soon, McCaffrey wrote in an email. One night of sleep was all he wanted. 31, now painted in the teams red and white above the 31-yard line, that will forever represent everything they believed their son Zach valued. Centennial remembers football standout Zach Hoffpauir I am devastated by the loss of Zach Hoffpauir, a friend to me and my family since his playing days with my son Christian at Stanford, Bears new head football coach Ed McCaffrey wrote on Instagram on Friday. The father of Zach Hoffpauir, the former Stanford football player and Northern Colorado football coach who died last week at the age of 26, said the family has donated Hoffpauir's brain to . They passed by the No. He texted previous coaches, like Shaw, for advice on how to be a good football coach and honorable leader. You dont pass up Stanford, Shannon said. Normally, Doug says Zach would be able to rebound quickly from things. The thing I will always remember about him, outside of his great abilities in football and baseball, was he always made everybody around him better, Taylor said. No matter where they came from, no matter their circumstances.. One year after the death of his son, Doug Hoffpauir heard from the brain doctors at Boston University. He wanted to help the players succeed on the field, at home, in class and in the community. christianmccaffrey. Former Stanford athlete Zach Hoffpauir reportedly died of accidental A recently-hired University of Northern Colorado assistant football coach died Thursday. He hit .455 his senior year in high school in 2012 with five home runs and 22 RBIs. Zach decided to attend Stanford University, where he would continue football and baseball. He always said hashtag CTE.. He was the player who both took coaching and pushed his coaches to get better. A memorial gathering for Carl will be held Monday, July 25, 2022, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM at St Bernard Memorial Funeral Home, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA 70043, followed by a memorial service from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. We support patients and families through the CLF HelpLine, providing personalized help to those struggling with the outcomes of brain injury. On Saturday, May 30, 2020, hundreds gathered at Christs Church of the Valley in Peoria, Arizona to celebrate the life of Zach Hoffpauir. He was like a brother to our boys and recently found his calling as our safeties coach at Northern Colorado. He would have been 82 on his birthday, August 20. He had a unique ability to understand people from all walks of life.. He told people about his faith, allowed people to confide in him and provided happiness for others. Because if he had to, he would challenge you and he would step up and say, This is not right.. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images. He was 26. New UNC head football coach Ed McCaffrey hired Zach in February to coach safeties. Apollo Baton Rouge takes 'Expedition' theme for 41st annual ball Sharon "Teda" Hoffpauir Obituary Former Stanford athlete Zach Hoffpauir's life to be celebrated I'd talk to him for three hours. But on May 15, 2020, Hoffpauir died of an accidental overdose at age 26. Zach Hoffpauir in his own words - YouTube Former Centennial, Stanford multi-sport athlete Zach Hoffpauir dies at 26, Zach Hoffpauir remembered for compassion, friendship during powerful celebration of life, Family donates former Centennial, Stanford athlete Zach Hoffpauir's brain for CTE research, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Hope Hoffpauir Obituary. I felt helpless because I wanted to fix things for Zach, but I did not know what was really wrong.. Reporter Jon Wilner contributed to this story. We wont find out for over a year, Doug Hoffpauir told this news organization at the time. His role, while short, was about so much more than just Xs and Os. McCaffrey's former Stanford teammate and close friend, Zach Hoffpauir, dealt with depression and attempted suicide before passing away a year later due to another cause, per his father, in 2020. Zachs loved ones will remember his athletic accomplishments, but more than that, theyll remember his gentle spirit that gave love to anyone who would accept it. He was a walking example of how to care for people, a rare soul.. He was everything to everybody. Grief Support. (Courtesy of the Hoffpauir family), Zach Hoffpauir, center, smiles for a photo with his mother, Shannon, right, and sister Hillary. zachhoff10. Ex-Stanford two-sport star Zach Hoffpauir dies at 26 People from all walks of life were invited to his Peoria, Arizona, service to pay respects and remember the honor it was to have known him. Zach's family . On Untold, Zach shared how a psychologist helped him learn how his sense of self-worth had plummeted after Stanford because he felt he was no longer living up to external expectations. 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