Jason Snelling - On the Field
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. His breakout season happened in 2009 when, filling in for an injured Michael Turner, Snelling amassed 613 yards on 142 carries and four touchdowns along with 259 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.
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.
Jason with special guests Griffin and Grant Ledbeatter from the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia at the Falcons Nov. 8th game.
