Michael Oher - Family, The Blind Side & Facts

Michael Oher is a former professional football player and was the subject of Michael Lewis' book 'The Blind Side' and the 2009 film of the same name.

Who Is Michael Oher?

Michael Oher came from a broken home and his estranged father was murdered while Oher was in high school. Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy became Oher's legal guardians and he developed into a college football star and a top NFL draft pick. Oher's story was told in Michael Lewis' book The Blind Side and the Sandra Bullock film of the same name.

Early Life

Oher was born Michael Jerome Williams Jr. on May 28, 1986, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was one of 12 children born to Michael Jerome Williams Sr. and Denise Oher, who provided their children with little to no support. Michael Sr. was frequently in prison, and Denise was addicted to crack cocaine. As a result, Oher. was in-and-out of foster homes and frequently homeless. He also performed poorly as a student, repeating first grade and second grade and attending 11 different schools during his first nine years as a student. Oher's estranged father was murdered while Oher was a senior in high school.

Turning Point

The young boy was finally taken in by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy when he was 16, and the Tuohys became Oher's legal guardians when he was 17. In his junior year, Oher began to excel in football. By the beginning of his senior year, Oher was the starting left tackle on the varsity football team. He quickly became a top football prospect in the state of Tennessee, which led to multiple scholarship offers from Division 1 schools.

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