It’s easy for USC long-snapper Jake Olson to understand why the doubts exist. For most, the concept that someone who is blind could earn playing time at any level of college football seems absurd.
He just happens to disagree.
“People freak out too much about it,” Olson said.
Blind since he was 12, Olson took a step toward proving a lot people wrong -- USC coaches included -- at the Trojans' spring game on April 16. He snapped on a pair of field goal attempts, both without a pass rush, to the applause of the 20,000-plus in attendance at the Coliseum.
Olson, whose journey has been well-documented, knew earlier in the week he was going to get the opportunity, but fought back tears as he was guided onto the field. It was a nice moment in a meaningless game and later he tweeted it represented another step towards his goal. His goal, though, isn’t just to appear in an actual game. It’s to become the Trojans’ regular long-snapper on field goals and extra points.
“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,” he said. “I’m waiting to have more opportunities to show the coaches that I have the talent to go out there and snap.”
Their chief concern, Olson said, is his safety, but he’s quick to counter as to why it shouldn’t be.
“Of course you’ll get bumped and stuff,” Olson said, “but I’m at significantly less of a risk than putting a tight end or a receiver over the middle.”
So, there.
