Blind gridiron player completes college dream

A blind American footballer has completed his remarkable dream playing for one of the most famous sporting colleges in the US.

Jake Olson is a long snapper, the player who flings the ball back between his legs to the punter or kicker, who has been cleared by the NCAA to play for the USC Trojans.

Tomorrow I walk out onto Howard Jones field not as a fan or honorary member, but as a player for the USC Trojans! #fighton

— Jake Olson (@jakethesnakeo) September 15, 2015

First practice was so much fun! Love this team! Thanks to everyone! http://t.co/eaMkC2bAhm

— Jake Olson (@jakethesnakeo) September 15, 2015

Olson, who was awarded a Swim With Mike scholarship for physically impaired athletes, trained with the team for the first time on Tuesday, snapping the ball for extra points.

Until being cleared, Olson was unable to play for the Trojans because he was considered to be the recipient of an athletic scholarship and the team had filled their quota of players on scholarships.

Olson was born with a retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the retina, that caused him to lose his left eye at 10 months and despite numerous procedures, had his right eye removed at 12.

Before losing his right eye, the lifelong Trojans fan requested that he watch USC play and also attend a training session.