by Lenny McHugh
Jake Olson was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the retina. His left eye was removed when he was 10 months old and the other eye when he was 12. His response was, “OK, I don’t have to worry about going blind anymore, because I am blind.” Jake’s passion was football. In high school, he knew he couldn’t play linebacker or tight end, but he could be the long snapper, and he learned to do that. In his junior and senior years of high school, Jake earned a starting role on the varsity football team as the long snapper, responsible for snapping the ball to the holder for extra points and field goals.
He was a huge fan of the University of Southern California Trojans and loved going to their games. So, when it came time to attend college, there was only one choice. He enrolled at USC, and was thrilled when he was accepted. He was even more thrilled when he received a phone call from the USC coach inviting him to a team meeting. He was introduced to all the players and was told that he was to be on the team. He couldn’t believe it. He was a USC Trojan. He had his own locker. He lifted weights and attended practices and meetings just like everyone else. During those field practices, Jake developed special communication with the team holder, Wyatt Schmidt. Engaging his other senses for things like the feel of the ball and the cadence of his teammate’s voice, he was able to build muscle memory through practice and repetition.
But he didn’t want to just be on the team and on the sideline; he wanted to actually play in a game. And then it happened. On Sept. 2, 2017, in a game between USC and Western Michigan, with just 3 minutes and 13 seconds to go in the fourth quarter, USC intercepted a pass for a touchdown and took a solid 48 to 31 lead. A few of the 61,000 fans began heading toward the exit, but those who remained saw something truly special.
Head Coach Clay Helton shouted for his backup deep snapper sophomore to take the field and snap the ball for the extra point. It was his red-shirted blind snapper, Jake Olson. Jake trotted on to the field and took his position. The official spotted the ball, put his hand on Jake’s back and then whistled for the play to begin. Jake spiraled a perfect snap, the ball was placed and the kick was good. Jake was mobbed by his teammates. In the history of college football, the game was just one of thousands. The moment, however, for the nearly 60,000 fans still watching and for Jake, it was much more than an extra point. For him, it was his dream come true.
This is a story about courage and character and grit and determination. It’s also about pursuing our dreams. Happiness has a way of cascading forth when humanity is unselfish enough to help others achieve their dreams. I hope you have been lucky enough to have many of your dreams come true. If so, perhaps it’s time for you to think about how you may help others make their dreams come true as well.