Defying the odds.
Tuesday, KMTV was the sole Omaha TV station to capture when a terminally ill 8-year-old from Norfolk signed his letter of intent to become a husker football player.
Thanks to Make-A-Wish Nebraska, Jack Johnson arrived on the UNL campus to join his new big red teammates on Thursday.
It's the Huskers newest addition, a boy who lives and breathes football.
He had an entourage of fans and cheerleaders waiting for him at Memorial Stadium.
Jack Johnson, 8, functions exceptionally well for a boy who suffers from Menkes disease, which is usually deadly by age 3 and often confines kids to wheelchairs.
He defies the odds again holding his first press conference as a Husker.
His dad Eric is not surprised about Jack's wish.
"Husker football is something that we are,” said Eric Johnson. “It's in our blood. It's been in our family's blood.
Michelle's (Jack’s mom) grandparent's blood. He's been around it a lot."
Jack signed autographs and met Linebacker Pernell Jefferson, who will get Jack ready for Saturday’s game.
"There’s nothing wrong with him,” Jefferson said. “He's a regular kid who wants to play football."
Jefferson says he's honored to be Jack's friend.
"Give back to those who are unfortunate, like other people because you never know what another person is dealing with,” Jefferson said. “The fact that you have the opportunity to make somebody happy and smile, that means a lot to me. It's always good to give it back to those who need it more than you."
Husker Associate Athletic Director Keith Zimmer says Jack's character is in line with the school's values.
"That’s a cornerstone of who we are here in Nebraska,” Zimmer said. “I've been told that Jack is just a great person. He's a great citizen at Norfolk Catholic. He's a leader.
While the overnight fame has left Jack speechless, his dad says that's not how he's taken the news at home.
"He’s a firecracker,” said Eric Johnson. “He is 100 miles an hour as his body will let him and then it's a quick shut down and we've got to take a rest, but him and his brothers they go at it, play football on their knees. He's got a lot of energy."
Jack Johnson will be with the team Thursday, Friday and on Saturday's game.
Zimmer says Jack prays for Sam Folz every day.
