Zach did not die by suicide, Doug Hoffpauir said. It lists . Zach Hoffpauir. I had a teacher come up and tell me once, said Taylor. He had a shorter fuse and he snapped at friends and family more quickly. Instead, Zach found his favorite part of football. "I am devastated by the loss," Ed began his social media post. Mike Nowels is an assistant sports editor for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. He was chosen by The Arizona Republic as the greatest football player in Centennial's rich history. Doug Hoffpauir wants the world to know that even now, 15 months later, with the CTE diagnosis confirmed, he isnt mad. I dont want people to think, This could happen to your kid. I mean, it could happen. Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 646th pick of the 22nd round, Zach split time between Missoula, Montana, and Hillsboro, Oregon. I didnt coach him as a freshman, but I most certainly knew about him, cause he was the talk (of the town), Centennial football coach Richard Taylor said. He couldnt fight this alone. He had trouble sleeping as his mind raced at night. January 28, 2016: OF Zach Hoffpauir retired. My dopamine levels were zero. "He loved his head coach, Ed McCaffrey. A 30-minute documentary on former Centennial football star Zach Hoffpauir, who died last year, will air Monday on Sports360az.com. Former Stanford multi-sport start Zach Hoffpauir died on Thursday morning. Christian McCaffrey saved my life, Zach said in the podcast. Hillary Hoffpauir, Zachs 23-year-old sister, remembers how his football team got out of practice for her first junior varsity volleyball game as a freshman. Zach loved sports and the opportunities they gave him, but he loved spending time with people a lot more. Zach could light up a room like it was nothing, and had this amazing, unique personality. 2023 www.azcentral.com. Zach's family . XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? He was a walking example of how to care for people, a rare soul. Hoffpauir's parents, Doug and Shannon, were recognized Former Peoria Centennial football/baseball star Zach Hoffpauir, one of the greatest athletes in Arizona high school history, died Thursday morning, his father Doug told The Arizona Republic. UCLA stuns Stanford women in Pac-12 tournament semifinals, Brink, Jump lead No. He hit .258 with three home runs and seven RBIs in 62 at-batsbetween rookie and Single-A ball. Cavness, expressed the same feeling in his eulogy. He had a gregarious personality and we all loved him. Im done. He always said hashtag CTE.. Never miss an issue. But Hoffpauir sustained several concussions during his career and displayed many of the classic CTE symptoms, including mood swings, depression and memory loss. Instead, he used those to connect with others. Zachs heart was with ASU, Shannon said in the documentary, But pressure from his family, his friends, and himself, influenced Zach into choosing Stanford. Whether movers in Fort Collins are helping you UNC assistant Zach Hoffpauir remembered for, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), He made us all proud: UNC assistant coach, Stanford graduate Zach Hoffpauir remembered for loving nature, University tops rival Eaton for the third time this season to secure third consecutive trip to girls hoops semifinals, Fridays Class 1A-3A regional/state hoops tournament roundup: Platte Valley girls begin quest for third consecutive title, Windsor girls switch to rarely used 2-3 zone en route to win over Mead in quarterfinals of 5A playoffs, Windsor boys come up clutch, composed down the stretch to top Longmont in 5A hoops quarterfinals, Brought to you by Prairie Mountain Publishing, Weld judge sentences Greeley man to 60 years for October 2020 murder, Fusco Pizza is a love letter to all things Greeley, Friday's Class 1A-3A regional/state hoops tournament roundup: Platte Valley girls begin quest for third consecutive title, Weld and Larimer counties retail food inspection reports, Greeley, Weld County Death Notices for March 3, 2023, Trial delayed for suspect in Investments of Windsor scam, Colorado property owners to face astronomical tax increases next year, Johnstown fisherman reels in the catch of a lifetime while traveling to Texas for son's junior hockey tournament, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. He did things the right way. That was his heart.. Last Thursday morning, Zach Hoffpauir passed away at the age of 26. C hristian McCaffrey posted a photo of Hoffpauir on his Instagram account Friday which began, Yesterday Heaven gained an angel, and I lost one of my best friends in the world. He called Hoffpauir a true friend and great brother to anyone he knew. But Hoffpauirs brain was not like that of a normal 20-something. Zach was known for encouraging friends to keep pursuing their faith and shooting the breeze with family friends. Hoffpauirs freshman slump was a blip in an otherwise decorated career in Palo Alto. Two Zach Hoffpauir danced well and danced often. This eventually led him to getting a coaching job with the University of Northern Colorado, coaching the safeties. A standout on Stanford's football and baseball teams, Hoffpauir helped the Cardinal win . He was our he was kinda like our heartbeat honestly, he was the personality of the team.. He told Shaw how he had identified the most important quality in any great coach was not discipline, communication, or any tactical trait. Now all of a sudden, sports became a business, Doug said in the Sports360AZ documentary. Zach Hoffpauir (R) had 99 tackles in his time at Stanford. 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. He was a natural at just about any sport he played.. Recently, it was reported that Hoffpauir had CTE, and was diagnosed with the same level of CTE that former USC Trojans and San . His natural athletic talent led him to success at Centennial High School in Arizona, Stanford and a brief stint with a Minor League Baseball team. He was 26. The Moving can be an exciting experience. 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. 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. He hit .455 his senior year in high school in 2012 with five home runs and 22 RBIs. Two-sport standout at Centennial High and Stanford, Zach Hoffpauir died last week. 6 Stanford over Oregon to reach Pac-12 semis, Dear Abby: I love my wife but I think I better get divorced, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: She has gone too far with the remote work option, Bobcat seen using Highway 17 wildlife crossing hours after it opens, Authorities: Man bombed PG&E transformers in South San Jose, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, William backed Harry and Meghan's eviction, prefers brother never 'set foot in England again', Map in Murdaugh murder case: 5 deaths and a mysterious shooting, Ask Amy: I didn't ask for what I wanted, and I'm sad they couldn't guess, Miss Manners: I felt bad that they all skipped her baby shower -- and then I found out why, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. He was Do tax exemptions apply to costs like burial, cremation and floral arrangements? Football was still relatively new to Zach, so Taylor worried the hit would scare Zach away from the sport. Shannon doesn't want her son's death to go in vain as just another sad statistic. Zach Hoffpauir could catch a ball at 9 months old and could dribble a basketball at 2. Sometimes he had so much love for other people, said Christian McCaffery, Zachs Stanford football teammate at the celebration of life. Zach Hoffpauirs family leads friends on the field at halftime of the Centennial-Hamilton game. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. 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. All rights reserved. He persisted and persevered.. Zach showed me the way when I got to college. Coach: David Shaw (42-11, entering . By Tom Scanlon, Glendale Star Managing Editor. He was an advocate for people dealing with setbacks. 1) Cognitive impairment, such as memory loss and difficulty with problem solving. The University of Northern Colorado football team honored its former assistant coach Zach Hoffpauir, who died unexpectedly in May 2020. MIAMI William Henry Trotter Bush, a wealthy investor and the brother and uncle of presidents, has died. (Courtesy of the Hoffpauir family), Zach Hoffpauir signs his autograph on the Stanford Cardinals team poster. It didn't kill former Stanford football player Zach Hoffpauir, who died . Talented young athletes often dominate several sports in elementary school and even high school. Search by Name. Tell their story, and publish it online for free. 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. Although we cannot yet accurately diagnose CTE in living people, a specialist can help treat the symptoms presenting the most challenges. He went through a suicidal period but appeared to have found peace in the spring of 2020 when he accepted a position on the Northern Colorado coaching staff. Stanford safety Zach Hoffpauir (10) had 99 tackles in his Stanford career. The attempt to take his own life came after several life-changing events, including his parents divorce, a breakup and his grandmothers cancer diagnosis. It was the first time in a long time that he felt purpose. Hoffpauir passed away on May 14, 2020, and was honored Friday by his alma mater during its game against Hamilton. Zach Hoffpauir, 26, died in his sleep, according to a release from the athletic department. My family wanted answers to help us process the loss of Zach, said Doug. 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. Christian McCaffrey was his best friend. Hoffpauir helped coach football at Anthem Boulder Creek last season with Beau Kitson, one of his close friends. To view and sign the Family Guestbook, please visit www . Find an Obituary. 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. 2023 Cronkite News. His death revealed the extent of his care toward others. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. At Stanford, Hoffpauir played safety in football and was a star baseball player. He was like a brother to our boys, Ed McCaffrey said. He then returned to Palo Alto for a fifth-year senior season in 2016. He told people about his faith, allowed people to confide in him and provided happiness for others. "It was riddled with CTE lesions.". This is fun, Zach told Taylor once his helmet was on straight. HIGH SCHOOL. Manoj, who has worked as a freelance videographer for Riccio Productions, ZAP Entertainment and Harvard University, is working in the Phoenix Sports Bureau. Zach Hoffpauir, left, and Hillary Hoffpauir pose for a siblings photo. To the general public, Zach Hoffpauir is just an athlete and coach who died too soon. He was 26. The University of Northern Colorado football team honored its former assistant coach Zach Hoffpauir, who died unexpectedly in May 2020. The documentary that dives into the life of the former Peoria Centennial High School and Stanford football and baseball standout will air 12 times on Bally Sports Arizona, starting Tuesday. The medical examiner's report is not yet complete and does not yet list a cause of death. The results provided closure, said Doug. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? And I said, Thats that Hoffpauir kid that plays football?. 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. Originally published by The Associated Press on May 16, 2020. 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.. Come (his) 40s, he probably would have had either Alzheimers, Lou Gerhigs disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or Parkinsons, Shannon said, tears in her eyes. christianmccaffrey. But Im sure, you know, Zachs looking down on us and know(s) that hes been honored.. At Centennial, Zach was a multi-sport athlete. He had to medically retire due to concussions prior to Stanfords bowl game in 2016. zachhoff10. (Photo by Mary Grace Grabill/Cronkite News). Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent OF Zach Hoffpauir to a minor league contract. Glendale native Zach Hoffpauir, who played baseball and football at Stanford University after a brilliant athletic career at Centennial High School, died in his sleep May 15. Bill Melancon officiating. The pathology of the disease follows four stages, from I (mild) to IV (severe). She was born October 30, 1944, in Houston to Virble and Hilda Nerren. Zach Hoffpauir was raw, passionate, outspoken, competitive. Zach Hoffpauir, the University of Northern Colorado safeties coach and former two-sport Stanford standout, was anything but a stereotype. Just to so many people, so many people he would have reached and touched in the future. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a degenerative brain disease found posthumously in the brains of football players. A post shared by Zach Hoffpauir (@zachhoff10). His heart ached to care for them. He never lost an argument, or a dance battle, and he said what he meant and meant what he said. 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. After Stanford and the finality of not being able to play beyond college, he struggled with what to do in life, said Doug Hoffpauir. It was not meant to be, however, as Zach would hang up the gloves for a final time and head back to Arizona. */. Christian McCaffrey, a running back for the Carolina Panthers, paid tribute . ", More:Family donates former Centennial, Stanford athlete Zach Hoffpauir's brain for CTE research. He was a young, intelligent coach with limitless potential, wrote Ed McCaffery in a Facebook post after Zachs death. He left baseball and returned to football, in February landing an assistant coach job at the up-and-coming University of Northern Colorado, coached by Ed McCaffreya former pro and father of current NFL star Christian McCaffrey, Hoffpauirs close friend and former Stanford teammate. That research will be valuable to future generations. In the documentary, Hoffpauirs mother described a world in which her son lived into middle age. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. 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. He had so much to look forward to.". A medical examiner's database says that Hoffpauir, who was only 26 years old, died on May 14. Zach moved in with Doug during this time. As the calendar turned his freshman year, Hoffpauir went on to start at point guard on the schools basketball team and nearly hit .400 on the baseball team. He has roots in Colorado and Arizona and joined the Bay Area News Group in March 2019. Praying for the Hoffpauir family during this time.. Learn more about what we do and how to find our content on our broadcast, digital and social media platforms. They shared stories about Zach. My sincere condolences to Zachs family and his many friends.. The father of Zach Hoffpauir, the former Stanford football player who died last week at the age of 26, said the family has donated Hoffpauir's brain to concussion research. A mass of Christi 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. Every time Centennial players step on the field, they will walk by the No. Visitation at Johnson's Funeral Home will be held at 11:00 AM until the start of the funeral service at 1:00 PM on . But I would fake it.". McCaffery, a running back drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2017, was told about Zachs condition and acted without hesitation. Zach, 26, died in his sleep May 15 at his fathers home in Arizona. He taught me how to not give a fuck about what people think about me, and to do it my way. Theres no way to specify when the disease started. 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. Zach treated his cousins like siblings and friends like family. Photos courtesy Stanford University. Former Stanford, Cal MBB coach Mike Montgomery says schools are not keeping up with college changes 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. You have permission to edit this article. All he ever wanted to do was make people proud, and he did, Hillary Hoffpauir said. The family will also hold a Celebration of Life at a later date. Doug remembers his son saying to him that, there is something wrong with my head. 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. Dolores was born December 26, 1932 in Shreveport and grew up in Leesville. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } He was 26. At times, you just didnt know what you could do to help him. He challenged me, said Shaw. Add a Memory. The night before his death, his mother said he went to bed after taking Percocet, an oxycodone-acetaminophen pain killer that Hoffpaiur acquired from a friend, just to get his first full night of sleep in weeks. People always tell me I was his biggest cheerleader, but he was really mine, Hillary Hoffpauir said. It has been 296 days since the Stanford football team opened fall camp to begin . I dont want to act and feel this way. Hoffpauir's father, Doug Hoffpauir, confirmed his death to The Arizona Republic. He was recently hired as an assistant coach for Northern Colorado as his minor league baseball career was officially . Faust's team accumulated 15 hours of footage to put into the 30-minute documentary that not only includes interviews from his parents Shannon and Doug, but insight from Ann McKee, a neurologist and director of Boston University's CTE Center on the results of the study on Hoffpauir's brain. They played football together at Stanford. 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. The news broke last Thursday via an NBC affiliate in Phoenix. Zach Hoffpauir, a former two-sport athlete at Stanford University, died Thursday at the age of 26. Today at No. In school, Zach was loved by many that knew him for his wit and his engaging personality. In a practice his sophomore year, Taylor saw Zach take a hit so big his helmet rotated 90 degrees across his face. I came back somewhere around 11:30, I was really tired and his door was still shut.