"The Blind Side" by Michael Lewis

“The Blind Side”, tells the story of Michael Oher, who is discovered as a football prodigy while in high school. Michael Oher gathered attention for his size and strength as a Memphis teenager who might be a future NFL left tackle. He is the son of a crack-addicted mother and a murdered father, he is incredibly shy, and his high school grade point average is 0.6. He is basically a homeless black teenager with a bleak future except for his athletic talent. Sean Tuohy is a self-made white millionaire who has a daughter in Oher's class, and he has helped out impoverished black students in the past. He and his wife took an interest in Oher, providing him food and clothing, and eventually having him move into their home as one of their family. Michael Lewis explores Michael Oher's story and how the kindness and caring of a family has turned his bleak future into a promising one.
The author of the book, "The Blind Side", is Michael Lewis. He wrote many sports books in football and baseball. You can see much of the football perspective in the beginning part of the book. The evolution of the position of the left tackle (which is the blind side of right-handed quarterbacks) has revolutionized the passing game of football. Why has the position of the left tackle changed the passing game? The offensive line is misconstrued as an unskilled position. In reality, all football teams need an offensive line to execute their running game or passing game. In particular, the value of the left tackle has gone up considerably. This is not a disrespect for the other offensive linemen, the center, guards, and the right tackle. The defensive linebackers (in particular, Lawrence Taylor) would attack from the blind side of the quarterback and often injure him. Everyone would accept that the quarterback is extremely valuable part of any football team. The left tackle became a sort of an asset protection for the team. Not anyone can play left tackle. You had to have the physical attributes such as long arms, huge body frame, and quick feet.
Michael Oher is born with the attributes of a left tackle. He has to develop his talent and even work on his academic skills in order to go to high school, then college, and then the pros. This story is not only about the blind side in football but also the blind side of life. We all can learn and be inspired by this story. Michael Oher was able to go to school (both high school and college) and then to play professional football as a first round choice. His journey is one of obstacles, redemption, failures, triumph, and victory.
I loved reading this novel. It is mainly because of the football aspect, but also because of the love of a family to bring someone into their home and take care of him.