Michael Oher is known for his autobiography “I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond,” which recounts his journey from a difficult childhood to becoming an NFL player and the subject of the book and movie “The Blind Side,” starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher.
Michael Oher’s books
Michael Oher has authored 3 books and they are listed below:
I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond
The autobiography of NFL offensive tackle, Michael Oher, who was homeless as a child before being adopted by a prosperous white family, is titled I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond, published in 2011. Oher’s rough upbringing, his stint in foster care, and his eventual climb to prominence in the NFL are all chronicled in the book.
Oher was born in Memphis, Tennessee, into a low-income household. His father wasn’t there, and his mother was a heroin addict. Oher frequently lived on the streets and changed foster homes frequently. He struggled in school and was also illiterate.
Oher was taken in by rich white couple Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy when he was 16 years old. The Tuohys assisted Oher in getting back on track academically and ultimately helped him secure a football scholarship at the University of Mississippi.
In the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Ole Miss star player Oher. Since then, he has established himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the Ravens.
I Beat the Odds is a stirring tale of triumph over adversity. It serves as a reminder that there is always hope for a better future, even when life seems hopeless.
The following are some of the book’s most important lessons:
- No matter how challenging your situation, it’s never too late to change your life.
- You have friends and supporters who want you to succeed.
- The secret to a better future is education.
- Any hurdle may be conquered with perseverance and hard work.
- Keep striving towards your goals.
Blindsided: One Player's Insightful View of CTE and His Quest to Save Football
Michael Oher’s second book is Blindsided: One Player’s Insightful View of CTE and His Quest to Save Football, published in 2018. Oher was diagnosed with early-stage CTE, and in the book, he shares his personal story of playing football and the toll it took on his brain. He also discusses the dangers of CTE and the need for change in the way football is played.
Oher begins the book by describing his childhood and his early years in football. He writes about how he loved the game and how it helped him to escape from his difficult circumstances. However, he also writes about the concussions he sustained and the headaches and memory loss that he began to experience.
As Oher’s career progressed, his symptoms worsened. He began to have trouble concentrating and making decisions. He also became more irritable and aggressive.
Oher’s diagnosis was a wake-up call for him. He realized that he could no longer play football safely. He retired from the NFL and began to speak out about the dangers of CTE.
In this book, Oher argues that the NFL needs to do more to protect players from concussions. He also believes that the game should be modified to reduce the amount of head trauma that players experience.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:
- CTE is a serious brain disease that can be caused by repeated head trauma.
- CTE can cause a variety of symptoms, including memory loss, depression, and aggression.
- There is no cure for CTE.
- Football players are at an increased risk of developing CTE.
- The NFL needs to do more to protect players from concussions.
- The game of football should be modified to reduce the amount of head trauma that players experience.
When Your Back's Against the Wall
When Your Back’s Against the Wall is the second memoir by Michael Oher, published in 2023. The book chronicles Oher’s life after the publication of his first memoir, I Beat the Odds, and his continued journey to overcome adversity.
In When Your Back’s Against the Wall, Oher writes about his experiences in the NFL, his struggles with depression and anxiety, and his relationship with the Tuohy family. He also talks about the challenges of being a black man in America and the importance of education and philanthropy.
Just like his first memoir, When Your Back’s Against the Wall is a powerful and inspiring story of resilience and determination. It is a reminder that even when life throws you curveballs, you can always pick yourself up and keep fighting.
Here are some other interesting things to note about the book:
- Oher writes about his mixed feelings about the movie “The Blind Side,” which was based on his life. He feels that the movie was inaccurate in some ways, but he also appreciates the positive attention it brought to his story.
- Oher talks about his struggles with depression and anxiety. He says that he often felt like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he sometimes felt like he couldn’t keep going.
- Oher writes about his relationship with the Tuohy family. He says that they are the most important people in his life, and he is grateful for their love and support.
- Oher talks about the challenges of being a black man in America. He says that he has experienced racism and discrimination, but he has also found strength in his community and his faith.
- Oher writes about the importance of education and philanthropy. He says that education is the key to a better future, and he is committed to helping others achieve their dreams.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:
- No matter how many times you get knocked down, you can always get back up.
- There is always hope, even when things seem hopeless.
- You are not defined by your circumstances.
- You can achieve anything you set your mind to.
- It is important to give back to others.
Overall, When Your Back’s Against the Wall is a powerful and inspiring book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a story of hope, redemption, and resilience that will make you believe in the power of the human spirit.