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The USC Trojans scored 28 points in the fourth quarter of Week 1’s 49-31 win over Western Michigan. Jake Olson, who plays long snapper and is blind, helped secure the last one.
After Marvell Tell III returned an interception for a touchdown with 3:13 remaining, Olson, who has been blind since he was 12, made his first appearance in a regular-season game. He delivered a perfect snap for a successful extra-point conversion.
Olson started practicing with the team as a walk-on in 2015. Last year, he talked to ESPN.com’s Kyle Bonagura about proving he could safely compete.
“I just have to continue to take steps forward until everyone is on board and some of those doubts that I know some coaches have are gone,” Olson said. “I’m waiting to have more opportunities to show the coaches that I have the talent to go out there and snap.”
Green Bay Packers edge-rusher and USC alumnus Clay Matthews praised the moment on Twitter:
Clay Matthews III@ClayMatthews52
That was really cool to see. Jake Olsen, a blind long snapper for USC, with a perfect snap on a PAT. What an inspiration! #fighton ✌?
USC also captured a reaction from his guide dog.
USC Trojans@USC_Athletics
Jake Olson's guide dog, Quebec, got in on the postgame celebration! #FightOn https://t.co/aDgAt2ND2w
As fans cheered, Olson’s teammates swarmed him to celebrate the memorable point. He described the play during the postgame press conference, per NBC Los Angeles’ Michael J. Duarte:
Michael J. Duarte@michaeljduarte
Blind long-snapper Jake Olson: "It was exciting. It was fun to get in the game, I've been preparing a long time for this." #Trojans #FightOn
Michael J. Duarte@michaeljduarte
Jake Olson almost brings the press conference room to tears, "If you can't see the beauty in this, you're the blind one." #Trojans #FightOn
