“The Blind Side” Showed A Side Of Michael Oher He Had Never Seen Before
Michael Oher’s story of resilience to become a professional football player is as inspiring as it is heartbreaking. Growing up with a mother who was barely there for him, Oher’s life changed when he turned 16 and met the Tuohy family. Finding focus on the gridiron, Oher became a top draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens.
Oher’s harrowing story was put on film with the 2009 release of The Blind Side. The Oscar-nominated movie was hailed for its handling of the story while also being criticized for the things it got wrong. Here is how the movie compares to the real-life story, including some things Oher had to say about it.
The Film Was A Huge Hit
Released in 2009, The Blind Side made was a massive hit. Audiences loved the film about Michael Oher’s struggles to make it to the NFL. Quinton Aaron starred in the movie as the big man, while Sandra Bullock made waves with her performance as Leigh Anne Tuohy, the woman who sees the potential in him.
The movie, directed by John Lee Hancock, made $255 million at the American box office. Before becoming a hit film, Oher’s life was chronicled in the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game written by Michael Lewis.
The Actors Didn't Look Like The Real People
Rounding out the Tuohy family in the film was Tim McGraw, Lily Collins, and Jae Head. Bullock wanted to be as authentic as possible and dyed her hair blonde to look more like Leigh Anne.
The casting of the children, specifically Head as S.J. caused quite the stir. The small actor didn’t resemble his real-life counterpart, who was much larger in real life pictures shown at the end of the movie. Today, S.J. is six-feet-tall! Oher was also shown as overweight and out of shape in the movie when he’s more muscular and fit in real life.
Getting Into High School Was Hard Work
In the film, Michael isn't shown as academically inclined. The coach at Briarcrest ends up using religion to persuade his colleagues to accept the young man into their graces.
The truth here is a little more complicated. Coach Burt Cotton (played by Ray McKinnon) did use his pull to help convince the school to take a chance on Michael; however, he was forced to be homeschooled for several months before he could begin classes with his fellow students.
Michael And Sean Weren't Connected Through Volleyball
In The Blind Side, Sean Tuohy and Michael meet for the first time after one of his daughter's volleyball games. Michael is picking up popcorn bags in the stands when Sean introduces himself.
In real life, Sean's daughter told him about Michael before they ever met. Sean then took it upon himself to go to Briarcrest and create a lunch account for Oher to make sure he could eat every day. The young man's welfare was always a concern of the family.
Michael Didn't Get Invited To Stay With The Tuohy's So Quickly
The Blind Side shows the Tuohy's take Michael Oher into their home during a rainy night. Leigh Anne is driving when she see him walking on the street in a soaked t-shirt and shorts. She was so shocked she invited him to spend the night at her house.
The actual story is a bit less dramatic. Leigh Anne did see Michael walking alone on the street in tattered clothes, but it wasn't at night and she didn't pick him up. Later that same day, she drove to Briarcrest and took him clothing shopping.
The Tuohys Weren't Michael's Only Family
Originally, Michael Oher lived with a mechanic named Tony Henderson (a.k.a. Big Tony) befor he moved in with the Tuohys. He also lived with at least five other families when his coaches found out he was homeless.
Sean Tuohy told 20/20: "He'd stay here once in a while and then he'd leave, and then he seemed more comfortable to stay." Michael added, "When I moved in with Leigh Anne and Sean, I felt loved, like part of a family. In the other houses, I didn't feel like part of the family. I didn't feel like they wanted me there."
Michael Was Not Scared
In the film, Michael is shown as hesitant and timid on the football field. Leigh Anne is forced to inspire him by telling him the team is his family, and he needs to protect his family.
The truth is Michael already knew how to be aggressive. S.J. was not responsible for teaching him how to play the game. He was only eight-years-old at the time! Michael told 20/20: "I've always had that fire and passion in me on the field. You can't put aggression into a person. It's impossible. Either you have that toughness and aggression or you don't."
The Connection Between Michael And The Tuohys Was Instant
The movie shows the easiest possible transition for Oher into the Tuohy clan. S.J. is ecstatic with a new brother, and Collins defends Oher against her bullying classmates. Sean and Leigh Anne hug Michael, and the rest is history.
In this case, the movie matches reality, the Tuohys welcomed Michael with open arms as one of their own. S.J. considered him to be his best friend, and Collins became close to him in high school and college.
Michael Was Happy To Go To College
In his 20/20 interview, Michael Oher revealed how happy he was to graduate from high school, "It was unbelievable, just to walk across the stage and shake the president's hand. I was the first one out of anybody that I ever knew to graduate, so it was a great experience."
He also explained his decision to go to Ole Miss. "I figured it would be easier for my family, you know, my friends to get down to Oxford to come see me play." As a senior he received over 1,000 recruitment letters from colleges.
Michael Wrote The "White Walls" Essay
The real Michael Oher wrote the essay that a teacher reads in the movie during his senior year, "I look and I see white everywhere: white walls, white floors, and a lot of white people…. The teachers are not aware that I have no idea of anything they are talking about.
I do not want to listen to anyone, especially the teachers. They are giving homework and expecting me to do the problems on my own. I've never done homework in my life. I go to the bathroom, look in the mirror, and say, 'This is not Mike Oher. I want to get out of this place.'"
Not Everyone In The Tuohy Family Liked Michael
Racial issues are only mentioned briefly in The Blind Side. A player taunts Michael during a game and Sean confesses he feels strange having a "black son" before having a Democrat as a friend.
In the book, Michael Lewis reveals that Leigh Anne came from a racist family. She admits to not knowing when her views shifted but at some point they did. She also said, "I married a man who doesn't know his own color."
Collins Tutored Oher In Class
About their friendship, Collins recalled: "My friends were very open to Michael. They were very sweet to him and we all got along really well." In fact, Collins never had to worry about bullying. She even rearranged her schedule to help tutor him in class.
Collins transferred into several of Oher's classes so that they're assignments and homework would match up. "That was the most studying I'd ever done in my life," Collins told 20/20.
The Film Was Bad For Oher Professionally
In college, Michael was an All-American left tackle. In 2009 he was a first-round draft pick by the Ravens. That success didn't stop people who had seen the film from judging him. In 2015, Michael told ESPN, "I'm not trying to prove anything. People look at me, and they take things away from me because of a movie.
They don't really see the skills and the kind of player I am. That's why I get downgraded so much, because of something off the field. This stuff, calling me a bust, people saying if I can play or not ... that has nothing to do with football. It's something else off the field. That's why I don't like that movie.''
Michael's Mother Struggled With Addiction
Michael Oher's real-life mother was not that far off from her cinematic portrayal, "She wasn't really around too much. I took care of myself most of the time." Michael grew in a housing project known as Hurt Village and was one of 12 children.
Denise spoke about her problems in 2013, "That addiction is very hard to just stop. You have to work on it. You have to pray and you have to be committed to it and you have you want to change your life from that."
Michael's Father Died When He Was Young
Michael's father was not around when he was growing up, so he really didn't know much about his son. As the movie depicted, his father was murdered in Memphis, and the body wasn't identified for three months.
Tony Henderson was the man who learned about Michael's father first. He was also the man who helped Michael get admitted to high school. By happenstance, he became the man who informed the school Michael's father had died.
The Film Wasn't Honest About Michael's Football Skills
After the book was published, a film adaptation was fast-tracked. The speed of the entire process shocked Leigh Anne. When the movie was finally released, she was able to give her take on it, "we didn’t understand why there was all this fuss. People all over the country were doing far greater things than we were, but it happened. It was all so quirky and unprecedented, I don’t think it was an accident. It was God-driven.”
She added that the script was “fairly accurate for Hollywood. Michael was a better football player than they showed but the fact that they didn’t screw things up was a miracle.”
Goofy Was Not How People Described His High School Coach
Coach Cotton was shown in The Blind Side as a bumbling character who failed to motivate Michael. The facts are that he was anything but stupid. Oher's coach left coaching high school football to lead one of the highest ranked football programs in the United States.
He said, “I sure hope I’m not as goofy as this guy—that was my reaction. I don’t think I needed so much guidance in coaching, but at the end of the day, the movie is about a young man who receives a chance and a family who puts their faith into action. It changed a person’s trajectory in life."
One Part Of The Film Was Extremely Accurate
While several pieces of Michael Oher's real life story were changed for the movie, one part remained the same; the car accident. In the scene, Michael gets into an accident with S.J. in the cars and stops the airbag from hitting him, likely saving his life.
According to Sean Tuohy, that's exactly what happened, "That’s 100 percent accurate. The car behind them was someone from the basketball team. Someone witnessed that. The overall theme and concept was dead on, more accurate than Hollywood usually does.”
Michael Was Cut The Panthers Because Of His Health
After being drafted by the Ravens, Michael played with them for five seasons. He then played with the Tennessee Titans before landing with the Panthers. In 2017, Carolina released the aging offensive guard, citing his health as their major concern after a severe concussion.
Head coach Ron Rivera said, "Our only concern is him getting healthy. Michael's health always came first. We were not going to force the issue. Michael understood and we expressed that to him."
Leigh Anne Used Her Fame For Good
In 2015, Leigh Annetold the Sioux City Journal, “We’re five years removed from the movie and nothing has died down.” She used her newfound stardom to tour the country and speak about racism and adoption.
She didn't hold back about her views, calling her purpose to inform a mission, “Racism is alive and well in this country; we have to learn how to love someone who doesn’t look like us.” Today these words are sadly as relevant as ever.
Oher Wrote His Own Autobiography
Michael Oher was not happy with how the movie The Blind Side portrayed his life. To make sure people know the real story, he wrote I Beat The Odds: From Homelessness To The Blindside. The book became a New York Times bestseller and is one of the highest user rated novels on Amazon.
The Washington Post was blown away by the true narrative, "With the release of his memoir...Oher finally takes ownership, filling the gaps in the familiar narrative and somehow managing to make his journey from the streets to stardom seem even more amazing and compelling."
The Film Used Real College Coaches
One part of The Blind Side that was true to real life was the coaches that came to meet with Oher in high school. They were played by the real men who tried to convince the high school star to play for their programs.
These cameos were from former Arkansas and Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt, former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville Notre Dame and South Carolina coach Lou Holtz, former LSU coach Nick Saban, former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, and former-Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron.
Leigh Anne Friend's Didn't Like Michael
Leigh Anne Touhy's friends in real life were incredibly nosy about Michael living with her. They were especially concerned by the young man's relationship with her daughter and asked some over the top questions.
As detailed in the book, some asked her how Tuohy handled Michael's "urges" as a teenage boy living with a teenage girl. She began handing out a single piece of advice to people who confronted her, "You just need to mind your own business. You worry about your own life and I'll worry about mine."
Sandra Bullock Became Friends Close Friends With Oher
Michael Oher may not be happy with the way his story was handled on film, but he doesn't blame the actors. When the movie wrapped, he even became friends with Sandra Bullock.
Bullock and Michael became so close that she even started going to his football games. When the Ravens made the Super Bowl in 2013 and beat the 49ers, she was there to cheer Oher on. She would go on to win an Oscar for the role.
Gang Members Were Never A Problem
The movie tries to show how tough Hurt Village is when Leigh Anne take Michael there to pick stuff up. He tells her to wait in the car, where gang members then approach and taunt her. In real life, this never happened.
One of the gang members in the film is based on a real-life person, but again, this scene was from reality. Also, Michael's best friend in real life is Craig Vail, someone he grew up with that he knew would never take advantage of him.
Michael Inspired Family Dinner Time
Just like in the movie, Michael Oher convinced his new family to start the tradition of family dinner time. Sean Tuohy revealed this tidbit to 20/20, "He made us sit around the dinner table. If we were going to spend time with him, we'd come eat at the table. We haven't eaten at the table since he left."
This could have been a scene used to drive home an emotional point while not showing the truth. Instead, it became a perfect Hollywood moment that just happened to take place in real life.
Michael Was Really Adopted
Michael didn't always trust the Tuohy's, and would sometimes sneak out at night to return to his old neighborhood. As time passed, he grew to trust the Tuohy's, even though it didn't happen overnight.
Once that trust was established, the Tuohys officially adopted Michael Oher. Leigh Anne perfectly summed up the relationship this way, "I love Michael Oher as much as I love my two biological children. There’s no difference in them." While the movie got some stuff wrong, the love they shared as a group was dead on.
Oher Being On The Christmas Card Confused People
When you put Michael Oher in a picture with a white family, he sticks out. Just imagine the surprise of the Tuohy's closest friends and family when they put him in their annual Christmas card! Leigh Anne received several phone calls asking about the picture.
She recalled one specifically from her cousin, "He said, 'I'm not trying to be rude or anything. Who's the black boy in the Christmas card?'" Of course, as shocking as it was, they would all come to accept Michael as a member of the extended family.
The Touhy's Have A Massive Fast Food Empire
Michael Oher quickly learns in The Blind Side that Sean Touhy is one of three partners who own and operate RGT Management. The company franchises and operates more than 80 Taco Bell's, Long John Silver's, Kentucky Fried Chickens, and Off The Grill locations.
His business ventures are spread throughout several states. The movie, looking to humanize him, didn't mention he also works as a sports commentator for the Memphis Grizzlies and is a broadcast analyst for Ole Miss.
Michael Oher Played Basketball Too
The Blind Side only has time to focus on Michael Oher's life playing football. In fact, it never even mentions that he was also a high school basketball star. One year he was almost named Tennessee's high school basketball player of the year!
As we already noted, Michael was not as close to as shy or timid as the movie made him seem, especially when it came to athletics. While Michael chose to pursue football at Ole Miss he turned down many other opportunities to play basketball instead.
S.J. Really Did Hound College Recruiters
One of The Blind Side's most memorable scenes happens when S.J. Tuohy asks a college recruiter, "what's in it for me." It turns out S.J. really was this blunt, although he doesn't think he was smooth as the movie showed, "I don't know if it's quite like that... I think Jay [John Lee Hancock] might have pulled me off better than I pull myself off."
S.J. didn't walk away with any scholarships, but he did get a private tour through The Grove from Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron.
Michaels Tutor Followed Him To College
It's glossed over in the movie, but near the end, Michael's tutor makes a comment about how she needs to find an apartment near campus. In real life, Sue Mitchell followed Oher to college and helped make sure he stayed academically on track.
When Oher began high school, his grades were abysmal. When he graduated he had B's and A's thank to the hard work of his tutor. With that kind of turn around, there was no way she wasn't going to follow him to Ole Miss and finish what she started.
Oher Has A "Wicked" Sense Of Humor
Once Michael Oher was comfortable with his new surroundings, the real him came out. Far from introverted, those who hung out with him thought he was engaging and hilarious. Sometimes the movies just get it very wrong.
Many of his fellow athletes have defended Oher against the reputation he got in the movie. To help further prove how "wicked" his sense of humor is, Oher made sure to put some hilarious jokes in his autobiography.
Oher's Grades Caused A Major Controversy
To help speed thing up in the movie, it's revealed that Oher needs a 2.5 GPA to maintain his acceptance to Ole Miss. During his graduation, it's announced that his final GPA was a 2.52. Only part of this is true.
Oher actually needed a 2.65 GPA, which he failed to get in high school. He had to attend a BYU program to get his grades back up. The controversial was full of 10-day classes and easy tests, with grades that replaced his bad ones. The NCAA investigated the program but found no foul play.
Oher Was Never Dumb
In his autobiography, Oher is critical of the movie, writing that it, "... portrayed me as dumb instead of as a kid who had never had consistent academic instruction and ended up thriving once he got it."
In reality, Oher always considered himself a student of the game who also believed in academics. Before entering the NFL he even made sure he graduated from college. That sure doesn't make him sounds like a dumb kid to us.
Leigh Anne Faked Michael's Baby Photo
At Michael's high school graduation, Leigh Anne desperately wanted to show a picture of Michael as a baby. Unfortunately, his biological mother didn't have any baby photos, so she had to fake it.
Leigh Anne scoured the internet for the perfect photo, eventually settling on one she thought was decent. The picture, which is blown up on stage in the movie for major dramatic effect, was only featured in the graduation program in real life.
Oher Always Believed From Sports Were His "Way Out"
Growing up in Hurt Village, Oher always believed sports would provide him with his way out. His original passion was basketball. His size and athleticism gave him a huge competitive advantage through high school.
Before reaching college, Oher realized that talent alone would not carry him into his career, so he began studying the sports he was playing on a deeper level. This is perhaps the biggest mistake the movie makes in showing his story. He knew how to play before the Tuohys took him in.
Family Photos From The Credits Are Real
As the credits of the movie begin to roll, the audience is shown real pictures from the Tuohy family. Unlike Michael's high school photo, you can trust the authenticity of these pictures.
This sequence is probably the most accurate part of the entire film. No longer is the Hollywood sparkle and shine applied to Oher. We see his happiness with his new family and understand the importance of his story. We just wish it was told a little bit differently.
Hugh Freeze Was A Controversial Hire By Ole Miss
Just 20 days after Michael Oher signed his letter of intent to play for Ole Miss, Hugh Freeze was hired to coach at the school. The movie glosses over what in reality was an incredibly controversial hiring.
Everyone involved in the situation claims that Oher had no influence on the school's decision. The Tuohy's also claim that Freeze's eventual hiring in no way, shape, or form affected Oher's decision to choose Ole Miss over man other schools.
An Honest Mistake
Sometimes, movie makers don't always remember to be historically accurate. In the case of The Blind Side, the film shows Sean Tuohy using the Safari web browser on a Windows computer. The year was 2004.
The problem is that Safari for Windows wasn't released until 2007. Obviously, this little mistake has no impact on the movie, but it does continue the trend of the fiction of The Blind Side against the reality of Michael Oher's life from Hurt Village to the NFL.
