Jake Olson, a motivational speaker, author, and entrepreneur, made history as the first completely blind Division I player to play for the USC Trojan football team.
He lost his sight at 12 due to retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer.
Jake Olson’s blindness brought immense challenges in his life, but his faith and love for football guided him through.
He began playing as a long snapper at Orange Lutheran High School as a junior and senior in 2013. He also played golf, usually shooting in the 80s.
Later, he eventually walked onto the USC Trojan football team and won the 2016 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award.
Olson was USC’s Most Inspirational Player and was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week in 2017. He was honored at the Lott IMPACT Trophy for his athletic accomplishments.
Moreover, he co-founded Engage, a talent booking platform that’s changing the game, and serves as its President.
He is the best completely blind golfer in the world and supports causes like retinoblastoma research and vision loss advocacy.
So good to be back at home in the Coli rooting on my favorite team with all of Trojan family! Always feel so loved and supported as you guys call out my name and come say hi and cheer me on. Really means more than you guys will ever know and wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for all of you. Fight On family!
Jake Olson
Jake Olson Turning Darkness into Light Through Faith and Perseverance
Jake Olson’s story is one of resilience, faith, and unshakable determination. He was born with etinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer, and lost his left eye at just 10 months old.
Despite countless surgeries and treatments, he was devastated to remove his right eye at the age of 12 in 2009, which left him completely blind.
Yet, instead of surrendering to despair, he chose to embrace life with courage and an unyielding “Fight On” spirit.
His journey is proof of the value of perspective. The day before his final surgery, he spent time at a USC football practice, a moment that symbolized his refusal to let adversity steal his joy.
His deep Christian faith became his anchor, helping him see his blindness not as an end but as the beginning of a greater purpose.
Olson delivered his first speech at a Wells Fargo board meeting at just 12 years old. Since then, he has become a sought-after motivational speaker, addressing Fortune 500 companies, churches, schools, and charities nationwide.
Furthermore, he didn’t stop at speaking and authored two books, My Life With Cancer Holding Jesus’ Hand and Open Your Eyes.
His faith remains the cornerstone of his mission, as he openly shares how God’s love and miracles have guided him through darkness.
I can see that God has placed writing on my heart. It’s not something I’d call my natural talent, but that just makes it even more of a testament to His power and grace.
Jake Olson
Moreover, his story has touched millions through ESPN features, news outlets, and even an Emmy-winning documentary.
Nonetheless, Olson’s life proves that with faith, perseverance, and a positive outlook, even the darkest challenges can be transformed into opportunities.
Jake Olson Is Pursuing 3 Inspiring Goals
Jake Olson has never been one to shy away from a challenge.
Despite losing his sight at a young age due to cancer, he has achieved remarkable feats, from playing Division I football to writing books and inspiring millions.
Olson has set his sights on three new goals that reflect his passions for faith, sports, and personal growth.
Finishing His Third Book
Olson’s first two books shared his incredible journey of overcoming adversity through faith and perseverance. Now, he’s working on his third book, which will bring his football story full circle.
He plans to dive deeper into the spiritual lessons that carried him through his challenges, offering readers an even more profound look at how faith and determination can transform obstacles into triumphs.
Creating a Golf YouTube Channel
A passionate golfer, Jake wants to share his love for the game through a new YouTube channel.
He is renowned for his humor and competitive spirit and aims to entertain while showing that golf is about adaptability and joy, even when things don’t go as planned.
Whether he’s cracking jokes or grinding through rounds, his channel will blend fun, inspiration, and the thrill of the game.
Pursuing a Graduate Degree in Divinity or Theology
Faith has always been central to Jake’s life, and he’s taking it a step further by returning to school for a graduate degree in divinity or theology.
He hopes to deepen his understanding of scripture and explore new ways to inspire others spiritually. Whether through speaking, writing, or ministry, his goal is to help people find hope and purpose in their own lives.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- 29-year-old Jake Olson was born in 1997 in Huntington Beach, California.
- He married Audrey Brooks in 2024 and became the father of Rowan within a few months.
- He lost his beloved guide dog, a yellow lab named Quebec, who helped him navigate the world for 13 years, in 2024.
