Blind long-snapper practices with USC
Sep 16, 2015, 3:02 PM
This photo provided by the University of Southern California shows USC football player Jake Olson snaping the ball during NCAA college football practice on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015 in Los Angeles. Olson who completely lost his sight six years ago still has a dream of playing football at Southern California. The blind long-snapper is one step closer to the Coliseum after practicing with the Trojans on Tuesday. (John McGillen/USCTrojans.com via AP)
(John McGillen/USCTrojans.com via AP)
This is the type of stuff they make movies about.
Jake Olson, a blind long-snapper from Orange County and lifelong USC fan had his first official practice with the Trojans this week and is expected to be in uniform for the team’s matchup with Stanford on Saturday.
Born with an eye cancer called retinoblastoma, he lost his left eye when he was 10 months old and his right eye, at 12 in 2009. Then USC head coach took an interest in Olson’s story and invited him to join the team for their game against Notre Dame.
After a successful high school career, Olson was invited to walk on for the Trojans after clearing paperwork with the NCAA.
“It was a surreal feeling being out there at practice,” Olson said in a USC statement. “I can’t thank enough everyone who helped make this possible, all the coaches, staff and players at USC, the compliance and medical staffs here, the Swim With Mike program and the NCAA. I’m excited to help this team in any way I can and be a great teammate. I love this team and I always have, and now it feels great to be a part of it. Fight On!”
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