Many players, fortunate to be born with extraordinary talent, and to be in the right place at the right time, rise from poverty to riches. Michael Oher's story is one of those instances. First the subject of a New York Times bestseller, The Blind Side: The Evolution of a Game, by Michael Lewis, and now a Hollywood movie starring Sandra Bullock, Oher's story is worth telling.
His father was murdered, his mother had significant drug addiction issues and Oher was left to fend for himself on the streets of Memphis. Rather than turn to drugs or crime, Oher committed to achieving his dream of playing in the National Football League . He chose not to dwell on the past, as he told Headline News, "I chose to forget about the bad memories." He said "you have to put everything behind you" and now he is happy to "do something I love, something I have a passion for."
Rookie Year Going Well For This Raven
Michael Oher is 23 years old, and weighs in at 309lbs on a 6ft 4in frame. He was a first round pick in the 2009 draft, chosen 23rd overall. Eric Decosta, Ravens director of player personnel, on the Raven's website said, "He was clearly the best player available." He also said, "He's a special kid with a great story."
Matt Birk, an experienced Raven player, called Oher 'a joy to be around.' He has played in all eight games for the Raven's this year. Given the career high numbers of QB Joe Flacco, Oher has done his job of protecting the quarterback well.
Loosely Based on a True Story
The Blind Side is different than some other sports movies as it tells the story of a player before his career has really begun. Football movies based on NFL players post-career tend to embellish the truth to make better watching.
Invincible, a movie that told the story of Vince Papale, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1976-79, fabricated a lot of the material. Significant artistic license was taken with his statistical career. For example, Papale never scored a touchdown. He also didn't just try out for the Eagles on a whim; he was invited by Dick Vermeil, along with some of his former teammates of the World Football League's Philadelphia Bell. According to Boston.com, Vince referred to such adjustments of the facts as "entertainment liberties."
Football Movies To Watch Even if Fictional
The Blind Side according to Oher tells a relatively true story. Although many sports movies don't, their purpose is as much to elicit emotion than give a real biographical account.
Movies that provide an emotional gut check include:
- The Express - a movie about Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy
- Grambling's White Tiger - made-for-tv movie about Jim Gregory, who tried to become the first white player to make Grambling's all-African American team
- Rudy - the story of Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger, a player who fought against great odds to play for Notre Dame
- Any Given Sunday - a behind the scenes look at a fictional NFL team
Life in the NFL Has no Guarantees
Michael Oher's life story has yet to unfold - he is after all only 23 years old. He may become an All-Star or the ride could all end tomorrow. His life eventually may not be one measured in athletic greatness but rather by the internal strength and fortitude it took to get him to where he is today.
No matter what happens, Oher already has the life experience to combat whatever battles he may face in life.
Lorah Delaney - Lorah is a native of Vancouver, British Columbia. She has a degree in Physical Education from the University of British Columbia and a ...
