Top Baltimore Ravens’ Pick Michael Oher and His Inspirational Story
April 25, 2009 by admin
Filed under football, the latest
The path to becoming a top NFL draft pick is filled with many challenges. It’s likely that no pick faced as many challenges as Michael Oher (pronounced Oar). When Michael was young, his father was not involved in his life and his mother was dealing with a drug addiction problem. Michael was left to fend for himself at the tender age of 7-years-old.
There wasn’t a parent or adult to attend to his basic needs like food and shelter, let alone to encourage him at school and tend to his emotional needs. Growing up in poor, inner-city Memphis, Michael had to scramble for himself for something to eat and a place to sleep each night. He stayed at foster homes, and with relatives and friends. Most of the time, he fended for himself. He struggled at school. He repeated grades because of lack of progress. At the age of 15, Michael was way behind in essential skills like reading. Physically, he had grown to be a very big kid as he stood about 6’5″ tall and weighed over 300 pounds.
After staying with a friend one night, the friend’s father was intent on taking his son to a private school to gain admission. Michael tagged along, and despite concerns from the school about his academic progress, was also accepted. When the Tuohy family, who had a daughter attending the school, saw him heading to the school gym on a snowy day with just shorts and a shirt because the gym was well-heated, they started helping Michael out.
As the private high school didn’t provide free lunches, the Tuohy family supported Michael by buying his lunches. They bought him clothes. Recognizing that like other kids, Michael needed support that went beyond physical needs, they ended up offering Michael a place to stay and encouragement. Ultimately, they adopted Michael.
After he made great strides in improving his academic work, Michael went out for the football team. His size, speed and athleticism quickly stood out. An ESPN analyst ranked him the #1 offensive line prospect in high school his senior year. College scouts were impressed and Michael had many scholarships to choose from. Michael chose the University of Mississippi. After his senior season, he was selected for the AP All-American first team. Academically, Michael was on the honor roll a couple times at Ole Miss. He reported at the NFL combine that he’s only about 18 hours short of graduating from the University.
Michael’s inspiring rise from poverty is wonderfully told in Michael Lewis’ book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. Twentieth Century Fox is making the book into a movie with Sandra Bullock playing his adoptive mother. Today, Michael Oher was drafted #23 in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL draft. He will likely sign a multi-million dollar contract very soon. From growing up homeless to becoming a multi-millionaire, Oher is living a rags-to-riches story. His future is very bright.
VIDEO — The Blind Side author Michael Lewis gives an overview of Michael Oher’s inspirational sports story
ENJOY THIS VIDEO: Michael Oher’s feel-good football story
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[...] Top Baltimore Ravens’ Pick Michael Oher and His Inspirational … (sportsfeelgoodstories.com) – April 25, 2009The path to becoming a top NFL draft pick is filled with many challenges. It’s likely that no pick faced as many challenges as Michael Oher (pronounced Oar). [...]
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[...] The path to becoming a top NFL draft pick is filled with many challenges. It’s likely that no pick faced as many challenges as Michael Oher (pronounced Oar). Read more [...]
I could do nothing but cry! I am 40,former athlete-thanks Tuohy family! It was just as strong as the Everson Walls story! Thats one for Oprah! I would love to meet Micheal Oher one day.
I just read Michael Lewis’ story of Michael Oher. I also read the “controversy” regarding the Tuohy’s altruistic reasons for adopting him. Whatever their reasons, praise God they did what all of us should be moved to do. What a blessing they have been to this young man. Yes, the path to the NFL is filled with many challenges, but the Tuohy’s have met the challenge of life. God Bless Michael Oher and the Tuohy’s!
I would bet that this will serve as an inspiring story to many movie goers but also to kids that find themselves in a similar situation that Michael Oher found himself in as a kid. I hope Michael is “reaching back” so to speak to help other kids that are going through hard times. He seems like a person that would work well with kids with great appreciation for what he has went through. Referencing one of the comments posted here, as for the Tuohy’s motives, there is no way that they saw this kid as a “meal ticket” (or whatever else you want to call it) to NFL wealth. It saddens me to see people that are that cynical. They could not have foreseen what the 16 year old Micheal Oher would have become when they first met him. He may never had progressed any further in intellect due to being un-nurtured for 16 years so to say that they knew one day that he’d be a big star is ignorant of child development.
Our American society is full of kids who may never get the opportunity that Michael got, through God’s grace and mercy, and through the genuine concern one family had for him. I have read Michael’s story and just came home from seeing the movie, Blindside. God will use Michael and others in this country of ours to reach out to those in need. Our government and the social system can not do for young people like Michael that a loving and caring family can do. May we all take stock of ourselves and try to understand and accept the challenges that face our country. Jesus Christ and His love, from the Father, is the model we have. May we (and this old boy) listen to His calling and do what is right for our children, particularly those children who are less fortunate than others through no fault of their own.
Michael Oher, may you always be a positive influence on everyone whose path your cross and may your story continue to be an inspiration to those who hear it and may those impacted by your story be inspired to effect change in our country. God bless you and your family.
I went with my daughter to see this movie yesterday, THE BLIND SIDE and it was a very beautiful compassionate story. Sandra Bullock played an amazing part, and I didn’t want the movie to end. I give it five out of five stars.
God Bless the Tuohys and Micheal. I saw the movie today and will be taking my Grandsons, 12 and 10 to it next weekend. Anyone one who questions the Touhys motives has no heart and less brains. Shame on them. At the end of the movie there are photos of the family with Michael and the deep love between them radiates. Michael is a wonderful young man with a loving family and friends which he deserves. I was deeply moved by the movie as was my Husband.
I was very moved by the story. I kept thinking about it all night after seeing it. Then I googled a bunch of websites trying to get more info and background. I will be reading this book.
I am irritated that people will always see something negative when anything good happens. I suppose such is the way of human (sinful) nature.
I trust the Touy’s intentions from the start was to help a boy who was cold and had no place to stay. What in the world could they have gained other than a “well done, my faithful and good servant..”
Besides they already are affluent. So back off with the negative comments!
This was the best movie we have seen in years, and the fact that it was based on a true story makes it even better. What a wonderful family to take this young man in and love and care for him and make him a part of their family. This is truly an inspiring story of human spirit and a lesson to all that anyone can make it in this world if they have the desire to do so, and the support of people who care about them. Way to go Michael, God bless you and your family!
This was an amazing story. I did not want the movie to end. It is truly a testament to know that with God, all things are possible. I will recommend this movie to others and will probably go see it again. I can’t wait until it comes out on DVD. It will definitely become a part of my library. I will also be reading the book.
James 1:27
God bless the Tuohy family and God bless Michael. I hope many people are inspired by this story to help out a child through adoption!
Great movie! To all that think the Tuohy’s had a motive, Michael didn’t even know how to play football when he moved in with them. The Tuohy’s son taught Michael how to play football. Why can’t people just accept the fact that there are still good people out there. These people were blessed with good fortune and payed it forward. May god bless them and I hope this story takes on a life it self and inspires others to do the same.
Doesn’t anyone think that it would’ve been more logical for Michael Oher to have attended the University of Tennessee instead of Mississippi State? He grew up in Tennessee, he went to high school in Tennessee and the Volunteers have a strong football program. Come on.
My husband and I went to see this movie yesterday. What a wonderful, inspirational story. When we got home, we googled everything about Michael and the Tuhoys. Despite my husband being an avid football fan, we had never heard anything about this story. What a shame that the media only focuses on negative stories instead of providing us more info about stories like this one.
God Bless the Tuhoys for their deed. Inspite being in a position to do this because of their economic situation, they took a chance which was repaid by Michael’s kindness and positive response. Michael, God Bless You for making positive of the kindness of the Tuhoys and sticking to the right path. May the fame and fortune that are about to come to you not change you in any way and may it help you to do for others what the Tuhoys were able to do for you. God Bless all of you always.
I have seen the movie about Michael Oher’s experiences as a youngster in Mississippi. I was so impressed with his humility as well as his tenacity once he understood what he was up against. I am going to buy the book to read and to pass along to my grandson who is also a very big young guy playing football. It is my hope that people will see the really good people who helped this young man and realize that they gained from helping him because that is what keeps good folks doing good things. They were not exploiting a young kid; they were helping him because they had the wherewithal to do just that. God Bless Them.
One of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. A heartwarming story that for a change is non- fictional. Puts your faith back in mankind and transcends the racial and social class barrier.Sameul Colt said all men are not created equal but colt makes them equal, I disagree I say the Touhy’s make all men equal!!!
Good on them!!!
This is a great story and I think that it is amazing what this family did for Michael. I think the challenge for us all is to do something for someone that is in need. To many times we just stand by watch and judge rather than do the right thing.
The story of Michael Oher is incredible. Unfortunately there are thousands of Michaels in our great nation – I know because I’ve worked with them and their parents. The Tuohy were incredibly generous in so many ways – notably of heart, of faith and of spirit. Michael’s story brought me to tears of sadness and of joy. Michael, congratulations on all of your achievements.
I am a 13 year old boy that seen this movie and is into football.This movie really inspired me to do good in school and at home.so I can be like him.Thanks to this movie I am more inspired to do good than I ever have in my life. Thank You Michael and the Tuohy’s
I just saw d movie..it was a great movie..i wish i could do that tuohy’s kindness back in my country..wish could meet them one day..GBU All^^
you people reading this will be interested to know,from Sydney ,Australia,that I have a very similar,but not as dramatic story as Micheals.
I also support a football(rugby)team here in Sydney called the Sydney Roosters.
One of their young players had a bad drinking problem,and he was cut from the club,after the 3rd strike.
When I read the news,I rang the CEO,and said that I would be prepared to give this kid a job in my cafe,to keep him off the street.
He accepted my request,and the young boy has been working with us for 3 months now,as well as training morning and afternoon,6 days a week.
By the way,the creepy part of this is that he told me to watch this movie…..the tears were flooding.
God Bless Micheal and his adopted family
I watched this movie today and was in tears during most of the parts. Very inspirational movie. If anything I would say there should be more people like the Tuohys. They are incredible, amazing people and i have outmost respect for them. There are thousands of stories like Michael,s in this country and it only takes courage and people like Tuohys to make such a difference in some impovished person’s life. I I wish Michael all the best.God Bless him and Tuohy Family.
I watched the movie last night I can honestly say it’s the most inspirational movie of all times! The Tuohy’s are wonderful people that know the true meaning of blessing’s. It’s sad when people can take a great situation & try to make it bad but I know for fact that when it’s God’s way, nothing can turn it bad. The movie had me crying almost from beginning to the ending (I must say that in the movie Sandra mad me believe). I loved the Tuohy’s & Michael as a family because they showed you true meaning of the word LOVE. I’m 30 years old & since the age of maybe 10 I told myself that one day I really want to be a blessing to a child that really needs the love of family….not by blood but by heart & compassion. I agree with one of the other readers when they said ” it’s a sad time in the world when negativity get more light then positive things. These are the stories our children need to hear to help them to understand that your life can never be complete until you have helped someone else….blessings come when you’ve blessed. When our God created man, he did not separate us….he said ” thy shall love, honor & respect our mother, father, sister, brother & neighbor. He didn’t say it had to only be by blood. Please if you are not already…..take time out of your life to help someone…. Help the person that is less fortunate than yourself & you don’t have to be rich by money to do so only rich by blessings & love!
I watched the movie and was tremendously moved by the desparity in Michael’s life regardless of the apparent sweet nature of this gentle giant. It makes me want to do more for humanity. As a nurse, I help people all of the time and it is fulfilling, but I still want to do more, especially for kids. I am working on my NP degree, and would love to work with a Michael Oher foundation or something similar to help disadvantaged kids.
I was truly inspired by both Michael and the Tuohy family for extending their home to someone in need….
Kudos to everyone!
A great movie, easy watching, relaxing and a good story. The ‘goodnes’ in the story was so powerful; i was surprised when the credits indicated it was not fiction. lets have more movies like this………
this is a good movie…….. i love 2 watched that because everytime when i watched that and it’s make me feel like to be peace and something sad because of michael’s mother was accident cocaine drug…
I believe that this man Michael has to be one of the greatest stories ever told, The cast and producers should be very proud, I would suggest it to all schools and churches to help show that things can be changed, I was in Michaels shoes once with no-one and no-where but made it on my own from age 13 when I was thrown out of school, so yes if there was a person I’d like to meet it would be Michael, but we all know he’s famous now and that can never be, now i’m not into sports at all but I do have the greatest respect and admiration for Michael, may he live long and prosper–a long way from his beginning. Thank God and the family,and teachers that helped him.
What an inspirational movie; “The Blind Side” The Tuohy’s are one in a million families who would make such a sacrifice and in the end, were probably more blessed than Michael. I say that because my wife and I adopted 4 siblings 6 years ago who are now 19, 18, 17 and 16. We wanted to make a difference in their lives, but as it turned out, they made a difference in ours. I am sure that the Tuohy’s joy wouldn’t have mattered if Michael would have chosen to flip burgers, but then again, we would have not seen the miracle that adoption is had it not been for him making the NFL. Like most of you, tears were present for me also. I applaud them and Michael. God does miraculous things in peoples lives when their love is selfless.
I watched the Blind Side movie today…once more and every single time i watch it, it just moves me!! It’s just an inspiring movie that teaches individuals the main purpose of life…charity and simply giving love. It’s an amazing feeling to know that persons like Michael are given a chance to prove that they are worthy individuals and prove others wrong.