Jake Olson

Jake Olson, a resident of Huntington Beach, California, and a graduate of the University of Southern California, has faced extraordinary challenges since being diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer, retinoblastoma, at just 8 months old. The disease led to the loss of his left eye at 10 months and his right eye at age 12, after a long battle with cancer. Throughout these hardships, he has maintained a strong faith and determination.

Olson has channeled his experiences into a variety of impactful endeavors. He is a published author of two books and a motivational speaker, using his platform to inspire and motivate a wide audience. Additionally, he established a non-profit foundation aimed at assisting visually impaired children and supporting cancer research, leveraging his personal journey to foster support and awareness for these causes.

During his time at USC, Olson achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first completely blind Division I college football player. His debut in USC’s home opener on September 2, 2017, earned him the title of Pac-12 special teams' player of the week. His ability to successfully execute three PAT snaps during his college career has solidified his place as one of the top two most inspirational stories in the 150-year history of college football. His story has garnered attention from major media networks including ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, and FOX, as well as top publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Sports Illustrated, and The Washington Post, reflecting the wide-reaching impact of his journey.