Jason Snelling Pro Football Player with Epilepsy
Jason Snelling was drafted to the Atlanta Falcons as a running back in 2007. During his first year with the NFL, in seven games he totaled 13 rushes for 43 yards and his first NFL career touchdown was scored against the Arizona Cardinals. In 2008, Snelling improved his statistics and totaled 15 rushes and 62 yards. In addition to his success on the football field, Snelling has also overcome the challenges of epilepsy, a condition he was diagnosed with in 2003. Jason began having seizures when he was 15 years old. Since then, he’s worked closely with his healthcare team to develop a treatment plan that allows him to accomplish his goals on and off the field. He hopes to let other kids with epilepsy know that with courage and confidence, they too can accomplish their dreams. During his football career at the University of Virginia, Jason Snelling played in 12 games as a true freshman in 2002, only missing two contests due to a sprained ankle. However in 2003, Snelling was sidelined for the entire season with a medical redshirt after suffering crippling migraines and dizzy spells. He was eventually diagnosed with epilepsy and now takes medication to treat his symptoms. Snelling continued playing football as both a running back and fullback at UVA and saw time in each of the following seasons, persevering through both his episodes and the stigma associated with epilepsy. During his senior year, Snelling led his team which was ranked fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). He gained a career-high of 772 yards and seven touchdowns on 183 carries in 11 games. He also ranked second on the team with 29 receptions for 282 yards and led the UVA Cavaliers with 1,054 all-purpose yards (an average of 95.8 yards per game), ranking seventh in the ACC. Snelling is helping raise awareness and funds for epilepsy through the 2009 National Walk for Epilepsy, hosted by the Epilepsy Foundation with financial support from Ortho-McNeil Neurologics®, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Jason Snelling is a spokesperson for Ortho-McNeil Neurologics®, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.