Michael Oher

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Success, for some it's in the cards, easily achievable, not a struggle. For others it seems as if they can only dream, a nearly impossible hope. For Michael Oher it was the dream that kept him going, the little hope feeding him energy to keep pushing. Michael is a hero because he is loyal, was determined to achieve, and is an inspiration to many today.

Michael was born on May 29, 1986 to a family of 13 children and no dad, he was the oldest of his siblings. His mom was a drug addict so Michael was left to raise his brothers and sisters by himself. Oher walked the streets every day struggling for survival. One day a wealthy family from Memphis spotted him walking on the streets, and forever his life was changed. The Tuohys took him in and cared for him like their own child, made him their own, and legally adopted him.

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From that day forward, things would never be the same for Michael. He started his education at about age 11 with only the knowledge he had learned by himself. Michael also started playing football, played throughout high school, and got recruited to play in college at the University of Mississippi. Michael graduated college and went on to even greater things, the big leagues, the NFL. Michael worked, and fully earned his spot on the Baltimore Ravens. He thanks his family every day for getting him so far in life.

 Michael is a hero because he is loyal. During an interview with ABC news Leah Tuohy says, "He thinks I birthed him.  It's gotten to the point where I think I birthed him. He takes great offense if people don't think that he's a part of the family." ("Michael Oher, Michael Oher Story, The Blind Side." Michael Oher, Michael Oher Story, The Blind Side. 2012. Web. 22 May 2012.) Through all the things Michael has been through with trust, lack of a family, and violence as a child, he has been able to let a family into his life and let them love him unconditionally. Michael would do anything for them, and it still pains him to have to have left his other brothers and sisters behind. Another reason Michael is proven loyal, is when he is not doing very well in football, he gets a pep talk from his "mom", Mrs. Tuhoy about pretending that the quarterback is his mom, his job is to protect him just like he would his family. After his mom talks to him, his coach notices a huge change in his play and says to Mrs. Tuhoy "What did you say to him?", Mrs. Tuhoy replies, "You should really get to know your players. Michael scored in the 98th percentile in protection."("The Blind Side." IMDb. IMDb.com, 2009. Web. 22 May 2012.) This shows loyalty to Michael's family because it proves that Michael has his family's back no matter what. He cared so much about his family that picturing his team as family, changed his game completely and made him an extraordinary player.

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Michael is a hero to me because of his determination. It can be proven that Michael Oher is a determined person by something he said in his book, I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to the Blind Side, and Beyond. Oher stated, "People like to talk about "Cinderella stories," but Cinderella didn't get her happy ending without lifting a finger. She had to show up at the ball, be charming and smooth, and win over the prince. Of course she had help along the way, but ultimately it was up to her to make the fairy-tale ending happen." ( "Quotes From Hitch." I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond Review.) This quote is very powerful in proving that a large part of his character is determination because Michael expresses that no one can achieve without being determined. In Michael's eyes the reason he is so successful is because of his determination, he didn't expect to get anywhere without working hard to achieve goals and make dreams reality. Another example of Michael's determination is when he and his coach were talking about getting to the major leagues, and he had the knowledge that if he wanted to get in he would have to prove that he could be in a major league for football. Michael had just gotten done pushing an offender all the way off the field because he got so angry. Michael (after pushing opponent down the field) came back to his coach and said Sorry, Coach. I stopped when I heard the whistle." His Coach replied "Where were you taking him?" Michael told him "The bus. It was time for him to go home." ("The Blind Side." IMDb. IMDb.com, 2009.) This drive of conversation from his coach made him realize that he must work hard to go far. Michael realized that it didn't matter what backg round people came from, as long as they had the drive and determination to succeed, then they would, and that made all the difference.

Michael is a hero because he is an inspiration to many. In his book he greatly inspires quotes that motivate others. He says "Don't ever allow yourself to feel trapped by your choices. Take a look at yourself. You are a unique person created for a specific purpose. Your gifts matter. Your story matters. Your dreams matter. You matter." ( "Quotes From Hitch." I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond Review.) Michael basically states that it's never a bad idea to chase your dreams and go for what makes you happy in life. He inspires many to be the best they can be even under the worst circumstances. Inspiration is shown in Michael at its finest when he quotes in his book, I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to the Blind Side, and Beyond. "Courage is a hard thing to figure. You can have courage based on a dumb idea or mistake, but you're not supposed to question adults, or your coach or your teacher, because they make the rules. Maybe they know best, but maybe they don't. It all depends on who you are, where you come from. Didn't at least one of the six hundred guys think about giving up, and joining with the other side? I mean, valley of death that's pretty salty stuff. That's why courage it's tricky. Should you always do what others tell you to do? Sometimes you might not even know why you're doing something. I mean any fool can have courage. But honor, that's the real reason for you either do something or you don't. It's who you are and maybe who you want to be. If you die trying for something important, then you have both honor and courage, and that's pretty good. I think that's what the writer was saying, that you should hope for courage and try for honor. And maybe even pray that the people telling you what to do have some, too." ( "Quotes From Hitch." I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond Review.)  Michael knows how it feels to want to give up, and feel like all hope is lost. Michael tells us to never give up, if he had given up he would be missing so much.

In conclusion Michael Oher is the greatest hero in my eyes. Michael inspires many, he is inspiring because he is living proof that no matter how bad life may be, anything is possible. Michael is dedicated and determined, he will do whatever it takes to achieve and be there for people he loves. He is very loyal because he will do whatever is in his power to make his family happy and the people he loves be appreciated. A man who became a primary player from the toughest circumstances, a living miracle. My hero, Michael Oher.

Works Consulted

Oher, Michael, and Don Yaeger. I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to the Blind Side, and

beyond. New York: Gotham, 2011. Print.

Bell, Jarrett. "Once homeless, never hopeless." USA Today 24 Apr. 2009: 01C. Gale Biography

In Context. Web. 14 May 2012

Rickards, Bill. "Michael Oher." Michael Oher (2010): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 8

May 2012.

"Michael Oher, Michael Oher Story, The Blind Side." Michael Oher, Michael Oher Story, The

Blind Side. 2011. Web. 25 May 2012. .

Bell, Jarrett. "From Homelessness to the NFL." USA Today. Gannett, 24 Apr. 2009. Web. 25

May 2012. .

2012 Good Reads. "Michael Oher Quotes." Michael Oher Quotes (Author of I Beat the Odds).

2012. Web. 25 May 2012. .

"The Blind Side." IMDb. IMDb.com, 2009. Web. 25 May 2012.