Former Jenks Star And Current NFL Player's Work With March Of Dimes Is Personal

Seattle Seahawk longsnapper Tyler Ott is a grown man. He’s 6-foot-3 and weighs 253 pounds.

It might be hard to believe Ott weighed less than seven pounds when he was born prematurely.

“Luckily, I was healthy when I was born early, but I still spent 10 days in the ICU,” Ott said. “My parents have gone through the emotions of not being able to take their baby home and not be able to hold their baby right after being born.”

Ott grew up and went on to have a solid career at Jenks and then became an Ivy League man at Harvard.

Ott and his mother have partnered with the March of Dimes, a charity which supports mothers and newborn babies. Ott has also started the "Step-Up" campaign where you create teams, go on walks, count your steps and turn those steps into donations.

“Since 2004, my mom has been working for the March of Dimes in Oklahoma and that’s when I really started getting involved with the March of Dimes,” Ott said.

Ott and his wife, Ashley, are expecting their first child, a boy, in July.

“We have had a very easy pregnancy,” Ott said. “My wife is doing very well and has been healthy. We are excited. It’s going to be interesting. She is due at the end of July which is right when training camp is starting. It’s going to be some long days with a newborn and coming home after a long day at work, but we are ready for it."