When Michael Oher was only 16, his entire life changed forever. He began his life living with his mother who suffered from a terrible drug addition to becoming a professional football player in just a few years. Michael accredits his family and a few close friends for helping him reach the place he is today. The story of his life was portrayed in the Oscar award-winning film “The Blind Side.” The film got many things right, but a few wrong. There is also a pretty good reason why Michael himself isn’t a huge fan of the film.
Audiences Loved The Film
“The Blind Side” made its debut in 2009. It is based on the book, “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game” by Michael Lewis. It starred Quinton Aaron as Michael “Big Mike” Oher. The film tells the story of “Big Mike” who was rescued from poverty while in high school and taken in by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and Sean Tuohy (Tim McGraw). He became a very in-demand college football recruit and ended up playing for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. The film was written and directed by John Lee Hancock and was very successful. It grossed $300 million and Sandra Bullock won both an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her performance.
Audiences Loved The Film
The Physical Differences Are Obvious
To more resemble her character, Sandra Bullock died her hair blonde. Her character’s children were played by Jae Head and Lily Collins. One criticism of the movie was that the actors who played the children looked very different than the children in real life.
The Physical Differences Are Obvious
It Wasn’t Quite As Simple For Michael To Enroll In High School
In the film, Michael had a very spotty academic career with a lot of holes, but somehow the coach at Briarcrest used a religious angle to persuade his colleagues to allow the young man to enroll at the school. The teachers were not impressed with Michael’s initial performance and silent nature, but before long they realized that he wasn’t dumb and mute. In reality, coach Burt Cotton (played by Ray McKinnon) did convince administrators to accept Michael into the program; however, the principal decided that Michael would require several months of homeschooling before he could matriculate into the high school.
It Wasn’t Quite As Simple For Michael To Enroll In High School
Sean Didn’t Notice Michael At A Volleyball Game
In the movie, Sean Tuohy meets Michael for the first time at a volleyball game. Sean saw Michael was cleaning up some trash in the stands. He approached Michael and introduced himself, but they don’t see each other again until Thanksgiving. What happened in real life was a bit different. Sean heard about Michael from his daughter and went to the high school to make sure he had enough food for lunch. Michael’s welfare was a big concern for the Tuohy’s.
Sean Didn’t Notice Michael At A Volleyball Game
Leigh Anne Didn’t Invite Michael To Stay At Their Home So Quickly
In the film, the Tuohys saw Michael walking in the pouring rain at night wearing only shorts and a t-shirt. Leigh Anne felt very bad for him and immediately invited him to their home for the night. In real life the Tuohys saw Michael on the road during Thanksgiving break from school, but it was actually in the morning. Leigh Anne also did not invite him into their home, but rather drove to his high school the same day and took him shopping for some new clothing.
Leigh Anne Didn’t Invite Michael To Stay At Their Home So Quickly
Michael Stayed With Several Families Before Choosing The Tuohys
Michael lived with many different families before the Tuohys. He stayed with a mechanic named Tony Henderson, and 5 other families before his coaches found out he was homeless. In an interview with 20/20 Sean Tuohy stated, “He’d stay here once in awhile and then he’d leave, and then he seemed more comfortable to stay.” The real Michael said, “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 Stayed With Several Families Before Choosing The Tuohys
Michael Was Not Timid
Michael is portrayed as more delicate and timid in the film than he is in real life. In the film, Michael is not very aggressive and Leigh Anne had to encourage him to be fearless while playing. She explained his team is like his family and needs protecting. In the same interview with 20/20 Michael stated, “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.”
Michael Was Not Timid
The Family Really Did Connect With Michael Almost Immediately
In the film, it shows Michael easily fitting into the Tuphys family. The children are thrilled and the parents want to adopt him. In real life, some media reports suggested the same was true in real life.
The Family Really Did Connect With Michael Almost Immediately
Collins Switched Classes To Help Michael With His Work
The real Collins stated, “My friends were very open to Michael. They were very sweet to him and we all got along really well.” She rearranged her schedule to better assist him in school. She switched to many of his classes so she could help him with his homework.
Collins Switched Classes To Help Michael With His Work
Michael Was Thrilled To Graduate From High School and Go To College
Michael was very happy to finish high school and continue his studies in college. He said of his graduation,“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 probably had a good hunch he had a bright future as he received over 1,000 letters from recruiters.
Michael Was Thrilled To Graduate From High School And Go To College
Michael Did Write The “White Walls” Essay
During the movie, a teacher reads an essay aloud that Michael wrote. Michael did write the essay in real life during his senior year of high school. It reads, “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.”
Michael Did Write The “White Walls” Essay
Leigh Anne’s Family Was Racist
Most racial issues are not focused on during the movie. The book reveals in real-life Leigh Anne was raised by a racist family, but she accepted Michael.
Leigh Anne’s Family Was Racist
Michael’s Mother Was Indeed A Drug Addict
Michael’s mother in the film is depicted as a cocaine addict. In the interview with 20/20, Michael stated, “She wasn’t really around too much. I took care of myself most of the time.”
Michael’s Mother Was Indeed A Drug Addict
Michael’s Birth Father Really Was Murdered
In both the film and real life, Michael’s biological father was murdered. Michael didn’t know his father was dead for 3 months partially because no one could identify the body until then.
Michael’s Birth Father Really Was Murdered
Michael Was A Better Football Player Than They Depicted On Film
Leigh Anne complained since the movie was fast-tracked so much, it was mostly accurate but there were a few flaws. She stated 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.”
Michael Was A Better Football Player Than They Depicted On Film
Michael’s Coach Was Not So “Goofy”
In the film Coach Cotton’s character was a representation of Hugh Freeze. In the film, Cotton asked for help while working with Michael. In real life, Freeze is very accomplished and didn’t ask for help. He was very successful as both a high school and college football coach. Freeze complained he isn’t as goofy in real life than as the film suggests. “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.”
Michael’s Coach Was Not So “Goofy”
Other Details Were Changed, But The Car Accident Was Exactly The Same
Some details were changes in the film. One example is Collins Tuohy didn’t play volleyball in real life but actually practiced pole vaulting. One thing the film gets perfect is the car accident scene. In both the film and real-life Michael stops an airbag from hitting S.J.
Other Details Were Changed But The Car Accident Was Exactly The Same
Leigh Anne Used Her Fame To Inform Others
Even though many years have passed since the film was released, it still is impacting the lives of the family. Leigh Anne has used her newfound fame to raise awareness about causes she cares about including racism and adoption. She stated, “It’s mind-boggling. We realize we do have a mission. We have the opportunity to change lives. If that sounds narcissistic, screw it. Racism is alive and well in this country; we have to learn how to love someone who doesn’t look like us.”
Leigh Anne Used Her Fame To Inform Others
Oher Set The Record Straight With A Highly-Praised Autobiography
Michael wasn’t completely happy with how he was portrayed in the film. In his own autobiography, he tells his version of the story. The book was a New York Times bestseller and received a lot of praise.
Oher Set The Record Straight With A Highly Praised Autobiography
The Film Did Manage To Bring Some Real-Life People Into The Mix
There were many real-life college coaches in the film. Some include former Notre Dame and South Carolina coach Lou Holtz, former LSU coach Nick Saban, former Arkansas and Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt, former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, and former-Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron.
The Film Did Manage To Bring Some Real Life People Into The Mix
Leigh Anne Really Did Have To Defend Oher Against Her Friends
Another thing the movie got right is the fact Leigh Anne’s friends questioned her decision to take Michael in. There were discussions about this all over the town; in shops, restaurants and school events. Leigh Anne complained some people even questioned if Michael was making romantic advances towards her daughter who was the same age.
Leigh Anne Really Did Have To Defend Oher Against Her Friends
Sandra Bullock Became Friends With The Family And Oher
While the real Oher may not totally agree with his portrayal in the movie, he did not blame the actors. He became friends with many of the cast members including Sandra Bullock. In real life Bullock tried to attend Michael’s games and develop a relationship with the real Tuohy family. Even in 2013 Bullock went to a Ravens game to cheer Michael on.
Sandra Bullock Became Friends With The Family And Oher
Gang Members Never Taunted Leigh Anne Touhy
In a scene in the movie, Michael asks Mrs. Touhy to stay in the car when he runs errands in a “bad” part of town. She listens to him but is approached by gang members and taunted. This doesn’t happen in real life.
Gang Members Never Taunted Leigh Anne Touhy
Michael Really Did Inspire Family Dinner Time
In the film, Michael convinces the Tuohy family to join him at the dinner table. In real life, this was normal for the household and Michael didn’t need to convince them to do so.
Michael Really Did Inspire Family Dinner Time
Michael Really Was Adopted
In both the film and in real life, Michael is adopted by the Touhy family. The real Leigh Anne stated in an interview on The Today Show, “I love Michael Oher as much as I love my two biological children. There’s no difference in them.”
Michael Really Was Adopted
Oher Really Was Featured In The Family’s Christmas Card, And It Confused People
In “The Blind Side,” Michael joins his new family to pose for a Christmas card photo. In real life, Michael joins only the Touhy children for the card. Some of Leigh Anne’s friends questioned her stating things like “Who is the black boy?” but Leigh Anne took this as an opportunity to introduce Michael to her friends.
Oher Really Was Featured In The Family’s Christmas Card And It Confused People
The Touhy’s Really Do Own Dozens Of Taco Bell Restaurants And Other Chains!
In the film, Sean Touhy owns tons of Taco Bell franchises. In real life, he partners with two others who own and operate 80 Taco Bell’s, Long John Silver’s, KFCs, and Off The Grill locations.
The Touhy’s Really Do Own Dozens Of Taco Bell Restaurants And Other Chains
The Movie Ignored The Fact That Oher Was A Basketball Star
One thing the film ignored is Michael was also a star basketball player at the same time he was playing football. Obviously, he ended up choosing to stick with football and he made an amazing career out of that decision.
The Movie Ignored The Fact That Oher Was A Basketball Star
S.J. Really Did “Work Over” The College Recruiters
One of the funniest, most memorable scenes in the film is when S.J. speaks with a college recruiter and says “what’s in it for me?” When asked about this, the Touhy parents stated, “He worked those coaches pretty hard” adding he obtained a private tour through The Grove from Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron.
S.J. Really Did “Work Over” The College Recruiters
His High School Tutor Really Did Follow Him To College
In the film, Kathy Bates plays Miss Sue who tutors Michael. She moved to an apartment nearby him so she could be there for him. In real life, Sue Mitchell teaches Michael in high school and continues to help him in college.
His High School Tutor Really Did Follow Him To College
Oher Is An Extrovert With A “Wicked” Sense Of Humor
Off the field, Oher’s teammates said he was fun-loving and knew how to enjoy life. They said he was never shy and loved making everyone laugh. He is not portrayed as very funny in “The Blind Side.” Perhaps producers thought a more serious story about an impoverished black teen would draw more viewers.
Oher Is An Extrovert With A “Wicked” Sense Of Humor
Oher’s Grades Were A Bigger Controversy Than The Movie Explained
At the end of “The Blind Side,” Michael has an issue with his grades and needs to get a 2.5 GPA to be accepted into a Division I school. In real life, Oher needed a 2.65 GPA and he was only to achieve that after attending a BYU program which allowed him to raise some of his grades.
Oher’s Grades Were A Bigger Controversy Than The Movie Explained
Oher Wasn’t A “Dumb” Kid Or Teenager
While Michael Oher got poor grades, it was not due to his intelligence level. Oher explains in his autobiography that the film, “… 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 real life, Oher earned a B.A. before joining the NFL.
Oher Wasn’t A “Dumb” Kid Or Teenager
Leigh Anne Really Did Fake Michael’s Baby Photo
In real life, Leigh Anne wanted to show a picture of Michael as a baby during his high school graduation ceremony. His real-life mom didn’t have any photos so Leigh Anne actually used a photo of a black baby from the internet instead. The photo appeared in the graduation program book.
Leigh Anne Really Did Fake Michael’s Baby Photo
Oher Believed From A Young Age That Sports Were His “Way Out”
Because Michael was from a bad neighborhood, he realized early on his ticket out and to a better life was through athletics. He started with basketball and then moved on to football. He was very talented at both.
Oher Believed From A Young Age That Sports Were His “Way Out”
Family Photos Shown In The Movie’s Credits Are The Real Deal
In the film in the initial credit sequence, there are photos of the family, school, and of Michael playing sports. These are real pictures!
Family Photos Shown In The Movie’s Credits Are The Real Deal
Hugh Freeze Was Hired By Ole Miss And It Caused Some Controversy
The movie doesn’t focus on the fact that Ole Miss hired Hugh Freeze as the new coach only 20 days after Oher signed his letter of intent. In real life, this was very controversial because it can be viewed as trying to influence where Oher chose to go to college.
Hugh Freeze Was Hired By Ole Miss And It Caused Some Controversy
Was That Safari For Windows — In 2004?
Some of the film’s mistakes were due to overlooked details by the directorial team. One example is when Sean Tuohy is seen in the film using Safari for Windows. This version wasn’t released until 2007 and Oher lived with the family in 2004. While this isn’t the most critical detail, it is always good to be careful when retelling a personal tale.
Was That Safari For Windows — In 2004?
Leigh Anne Touhy Has Become A Social Crusader
Leigh Anne Touhy faced a number of interviews about her family and their view’s. She stated many times that Michael Oher changed her family for the better.
Leigh Anne Touhy Has Become A Social Crusader
Leigh Anne Touhy Has Become A Social Crusader
For example, shared a story on Facebook about two black men who were unfairly judged while eating at a restaurant that her family owns. She stated, “They showed me their phones and they were texting friends trying to scrape up $3.00 each for the high school basketball game! Well, they left with smiles, money for popcorn and bus fare. We have to STOP judging people and assuming and pigeon-holing people! Don’t judge a book by its cover or however, you’d like to express the sentiment! Accept others and stop seeing what you want to see!!”
Social Crusader
Musical Connections
Quinton Aaron is an avid music lover! He was lucky enough to work with famed country music star Tim McGraw! He played Mr. Tuohy.
Tim McGraw
Musical Connections
That wasn’t the only musical connection in the movie. Collins Tuohy was actually played by Phil Collins’ daughter, Lily. How cool!
Lily Collins
Getting Into School
Michael didn’t have much on his academic record when he tried to enroll in Briarcrest. In the film, the football coach uses a religious appeal to convince school administrators to admit him. In real life, the coach did fight for Michael, but the principal forced him to do a home-school program for a few months to raise his grades before he was officially admitted.
Michael Oher Studying
Different Timeline
Naturally, the film is on a different timeline than in real life. Fitting the entire story into a 2-hour long movie was a difficult feat. Some of the timelines, therefore, had to be adjusted. For example, in the movie, Michael is picked up on the side of the road and then joins the family. This didn’t really happen in real life, they saw him on the street and didn’t stop.
Different Timeline
Different Timelines
What really happened is Leigh Anne visited him the next day at school and that is when they started their relationship. This is just one of a few examples of small changes in the film to get the most critical parts into the 2-hour long film.
Met At School
Not As Easy As It Seems
Adjusting to Briarcrest Christian high school wasn’t as easy as it seemed in the film. The film shows the first day of school for Michael as difficult, but it was much more difficult in real life. Not only was he asked to be home-schooled for a few months, but he had to pass a series of tests to prove he could keep up with the other students.
Not As Easy As It Seems
Not As Easy As It Seems
He did end up passing the exams and most of his teachers recognized him as intelligent and hard working. It is likely the school made unfair assumptions about him before they knew him as a student.
As A Student
Meeting Mr. Tuohy
Of course, all Hollywood movies like to spice things up a little bit. They changed what really happened in regards to Michael meeting his adoptive father. In the film, they meet for the first time after a volleyball game. In real life, the two meet after Leigh Anne had already decided to invite Michael into the family.
Meeting Mr. Tuohy
A Love Of Football
In The Blind Side, Michael Oher’s love of football is due to his adoptive mother, Leigh Anne. He was not interested in football before that in the film. This is one big part of the movie Michael Oher says is not true. He agreed Leigh Anne helped him along the way, but he was interested in playing on his own.
A Love Of Football
Racial Tension
Obviously, race and racial tension was a big theme in the film. According to Michael Oher, the film didn’t nearly depict this part of his story accurately. He stated it took time for the Oher family to treat him as their own son and they were initially reluctant as was the school and community.
Racial Tension
Mrs. Tuohy’s career
In The Blind Side, it doesn’t show what Leigh Anne Touhy does for work. It appears she has a lot of free time and is possibly a stay at home mom. She mentions once in the film that she worked for Patrick Ramsey, a famous football player. In reality, she is an interior designer and decorated Patrick Ramsey’s home many years ago.
Mrs. Tuohy’s Career
Ole Miss
One of the biggest plot twists is when Michael has to decide where to go to college. He ends up choosing the University of Mississipi or “Ole Miss.” Leigh Anne went there herself as was depicted in the film. Sandra Bullock did not go to the University of Mississipi, but she did star as a devoted Ole Miss alumni in the film “A Time To Kill.”
Ole Miss
Briarcrest School
This is pretty interesting! Briarcrest Christian School did not want the actual school or its name or colors to be associated with the movie. The school’s administrators thought it would all be negative publicity for the school.
Briarcrest School
Briarcrest School
Unfortunately for Briarcrest, the film’s director, John Lee Hancock wanted the film to be as realistic as possible so all of the real elements of Briarcrest were used.
Briarcrest Football
Turning It Down
We think everyone can agree Sandra Bullock did an amazing job portraying Leigh Anne Tuohy. Sandra Bullock actually didn’t want to play the character because she didn’t want to portray a ruthless and strict Christain. She eventually agreed and we are glad she did!
Turning It Down
Awards Galore
Sandra Bullock gave an epic performance. She won a Golden Globe, and an Oscar for her role. We totally think she deserved all the recognition!
Golden Globe
Startling Similiarities
Quinton Aaron did an amazing job in the movie! One thing the movie got right was definitely casting him. Aaron has a number of similarities with Michael Oher. They share the same weight, height, and overall build. One difference though is Aaron is two years older than Oher.
Startling Similiarities
Another actress
As we mentioned, Sandra Bullock was very reluctant to play Leigh Anne Tuohy. The casting directors had to ask other actresses to play the role. They asked Julie Roberts but she too rejected the offer.
Another Actress
So How Did Quinton Aaron Land The Role?
Quinton Aaron, the actor who played Michael Oher had his life radically change after the movie came out. He was just a kid from the Bronx, and “The Blind Side” changed everything for him.
Landing The Role
His First Time
Can you believe The Blind Side was Quinton Aaron’s first movie performance? We can’t believe he hadn’t acted previously!
His First Time
His First Time
So how did he get the role? Aaron saw an ad to audition for the film when he was working as a security guard and decided to give it a try. It really worked out!
His First Time In A Big Movie
His First Time
The film completely changes Aaron’s life. He did such a great job he was nominated for not 1 but 3 awards! He was nominated for the: Black Reel Award: Best Breakthrough Performance, Teen Choice Awards 2010 for Breakout Male Actor and the MTV Movie Awards 2010 for Best Breakout Star.
Changed His Life
It Launched His Acting Career
The success of the movie and his great performance definitely propelled his acting career. He guest starred in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Then in 2015, Aaron shot the film Busy Day in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Good for him!
Quinton Aaron
Michael Was Released From The Panthers Over Health Concerns
Michael played with the Ravens for 5 years, and then he played for the Tennessee Titans and the Panthers. He was released from the Panthers in 2017 due to a failed physical designation. His coach at the time said, “The most important thing is his health. 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.”
Michael Was Released From The Panthers Over Health Concerns
Michael Oher
So, back to Michael Oher, the real-life football player. As we mentioned previously, he was not a fan of the film when it was released for a number of reasons. He was very open about it and made a number of critical public statements.
Michael Oher
The Film Negatively Impacted Michael’s Career
When the film debuted, Michael was picked first draft to play for the Ravens. The film changed how he was publicly perceived. Michael told ESPN in an interview, “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.”
The Film Negatively Impacted Michael’s Career
Oher Eventually Made Peace With The Movie
Michael Oher wasn’t a fan of “The Blind Side” when it was first released because it detracted from talk about his NFL career. However, during an ESPN interview in 2016, he came to terms with the movie.
Oher Eventually Made Peace With The Movie
“I Guess It’s A Good Story. It’s A Great Story”
He stated in the interview, “I guess it’s a good story. It’s a great story,” he said. “They [Touhy’s] helped me to get this point from what I can tell. They’re my family and without them, I wouldn’t be here. They taught me a lot of things, showed me a lot of different things. It shows that if you help somebody and give somebody a chance and don’t judge people look where they can get to.”
“I Guess It’s A Good Story. It’s A Great Story”