Football Field Performance Aside Michael Oher Continues To Inspire

Unlike most of the nation, I missed seeing the 2009 film “The Blind Side” until I recently got a copy of it on DVD.

I had read enough about the life of Michael Oher and his adoption by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy by the time I saw the movie that I knew many portions of the film had been embellished a bit and the order of events changed to make the movie flow better, but the story portrayed on the screen was essentially true.

While “The Blind Side” was a great general overview of the events that happened to Michael, the story is really told from Leigh Anne's perspective. Michael himself has finally put pen to paper and written his own account. Not that the story differs, but much of what we see in the movie is about how everyone else feels, but very little of how Michael felt.

Oher's new book, “I Beat The Odds: From Homelessness To the Blind Side” is all from Michael's perspective. His autobiography, written with Don Yaeger, offers inspiration, advice, and as one reviewer said so eloquently, “realness.”

Michael Lewis' “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game” was really almost two different books in one, concentrating on the evolution of offensive football strategy over the years in the first part and then the story of Michael Oher from impoverished youth through his first year as a player for Ole Miss. Oher's book covers his story from childhood through the present and offers many insights into the downfall of athletes who don't take care of business; whether it's getting their education or taking care of their finances, Michael offers real advice garnered from his extensive experience.

Early in 2008, Michael Oher announced he would be participating in the 2008 NFL Draft, but two days later, changed his mind in favor of finishing his degree in criminal justice and finishing off his college playing career with Ole Miss. If other athletes who read the book take away nothing else but the message that their education is important, the book should be required reading for high school and college athletes everywhere.