LOS ANGELES -- USC blind long-snapper Jake Olson captured the attention of college football fans all over the country on Saturday when he entered late in the Trojans' win against Western Michigan and snapped for a successful extra point. For Olson, it was the culmination of a long-time pursuit, but also represents what he hopes is the first of many opportunities to snap for a team that has been a big part of his life for several years.
Olson was born with retinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer, and lost his left eye when he was 10 months old. In 2009, at age 12, he learned he needed surgery to remove his right eye. During that time, he developed a close relationship with USC and on the night before he lost his vision for good, Olson took in a USC practice.
He spent two years as the starting varsity long-snapper on field goals and extra points at Orange Lutheran High in Southern California and in 2015 joined the team at USC as a walk-on.
Today, ESPN.com will document a day in the life of Jake Olson, who has agreed to let us hang around with him and he as he resumes his life as a student-athlete in the wake of his debut for the Trojans.
USC blind long-snapper Jake Olson is a popular guy today. After making his debut for the Trojans on Saturday, he's fielding a full-on media blitz. ESPN.com will be hanging out with him to document his day as he balances school, football and many other responsibilities.
Olson was surprised to learn he was named the Pac-12's special teams player of the week. After a morning of interviews, he's off to class with the help of his dog, Quebec.
Olson is a big Seahawks fan (thanks to Pete Carroll) and Cubs fan. Inside his apartment, which doesn't have working AC at the moment (something he's not happy about), flags for both his favorite teams hang above the TV.
It's hard to understate how important Pete Carroll is to Jake Olson and vice versa. Carroll said he couldn't stop crying after watching Olson appear on Saturday. "To continue that relationship we have is amazing," Olson said.
Jake's three roommates take turns helping him get to class. Today, he has just one -- an astronomy class that fulfills his final G.E. requirement. When it's over, he'll head over to the football facility for meetings, followed by practice.
Olson is done with his only class of the day. The main topic: eclipses.
Olson was congratulated by some fellow students in class, but as he walks around campus today it has been business as usual. And that's how he prefers it.
Sometimes Olson will get help from his roommates getting around campus, but he has all his routes memorized and is capable getting around simply with the help of Quebec, his service dog.
Jake and Quebec, his service dog, are nearly inseparable. "We're a team," he said. "The best team."
Meet Quebec. He has been by Jake Olson's side for six years. "He loves me like no other and I love him like no other," Olson said.
As much as Olson liked getting in the game on Saturday, he's out to prove he can contribute in meaningful situations.
It's hard to understate how important Pete Carroll is to Jake Olson and vice versa. Carroll said he couldn't stop crying after watching Olson appear on Saturday. "To continue that relationship we have is amazing," Olson said.
Jake Olson's final commitment today before heading back to his apartment to study and relax is with the USC radio show across the street from campus. He practiced, showered and jumped in a golf to head to the restaurant where the show is conducted.
This Sunday on E:60, Shelley Smith goes back to the beginning to share the inspiring journey that led USC's Jake Olson to college football history. Sunday, September 10, 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2.