Blind USC long snapper Jake Olson gets playing time vs. Western Michigan

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 15: Southern California snapper Jake Olson (61) gets set up to snap the ball during the USC spring football game on April 15, 2017, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

USC long snapper Jake Olson, blind since he was 12 years old, made a perfect long snap on an extra point in the Trojans win over Western Michigan.

Most college football fans across the country will likely remember USC’s 49-31 victory over Western Michigan for the scare the Broncos provided the fourth ranked Trojans. USC struggled to shake Western Michigan all afternoon. The Broncos took a 21-14 in the third quarter and tied the game at 28 in the fourth before the Trojans scored on two huge running plays and an interceptions return for a touchdown.

It was after Marvell Tell III found the end zone on a 37-yard pick-six with 3:13 left to play, however, that provided the most memorable moment for many of the Trojans faithful. Sophomore long snapper Jake Olson, who lost his left eye when he was 10 months old because of eye cancer and has been blind since he was 12, entered the game for his first official action with the Trojans.

Wearing No. 61, Olson sent a perfect snap back to the holder, which Chase McGrath kicked through the uprights for the final points of the game. His teammates celebrated, not only because the points helped secure the first win of the season, but also because it was an important moment in an inspiring story.

This is anything but a regular PAT.

Jake Olson, blind since age 12, just snapped for the first time in a live game. https://t.co/amyHcFoVue
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 3, 2017

Fans may remember Olson from Pete Carroll’s days with the Trojans, specifically in 2009 when his story was part of ESPN’s College GameDay, which documented his relationship with Carroll and the Trojans surrounding the surgery to remove Olson’s left eye. Olson also joined Carroll for an on camera interview during USC’s game with Notre Dame in South Bend in 2009.

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Olson, a sophomore, has officially been part of the USC football program since 2015. He practices regularly and has dressed out for games in the past, but had yet to log an official play until Saturday. At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Olson has good size for a college long snapper and he handled the duties for his high school team as well.

If his snap against Western Michigan is any indication, it won’t be the last time he takes the field for the Trojans.

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