Jason begins the series as the senior starting quarterback of the Dillon Panthers. He is ranked as one of the top high school quarterbacks in the nation, with a scholarship offer to the University of Notre Dame, but during the first game of the season he suffers a severe spinal cord injury while successfully tackling a defender in what would have been a game-ending touchdown. He was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury at the C-7 and T-1 level, rendering him paralyzed from the chest down with use of his arms and hands and limited use of his fingers. In season 1, the character goes through a period of adjustment as he comes to terms with his disability and the fact that his life no longer revolves around playing football.