Michael Oher

(google.com)

A hero, to me, is someone that overcomes a difficult circumstance to achieve success. People who are true heroes do not give up because things are tough. They do the best they can with what they have and are able to turn a bad situation around. One popular saying is “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” People who are heroes don’t make excuses and instead work hard to turn difficult situations into something positive. Heroes don’t quit but instead persevere no matter what.

Michael got the break he needed to overcome his difficult childhood when a man name Tony Henderson brought him along to Briarcrest Christian School when he went to enroll his own son. Henderson asked that Michael be admitted, too. The school at first rejected him because of his grades, but later reconsidered and accepted him as a special-needs case. He was not allowed to play sports until his grades improved. He then was taken in by a family named the Tuohy's, who saw him walking one day in a T-shirt and shorts when it was snowing. They let him stay with them and hired him a tutor. He was eventually able to play football and raised his GPA enough to allow him to play NCAA Division one college ball. The Tuohy’s fed, clothed and paid his tuition and eventually became his legal guardians. Michael went on to be named to the Tennessee All-State first team football team and received a scholarship from the University of Mississippi. He won many honors playing ball and also made the Dean’s list, graduating with a GPA of 3.7 in criminal justice. He was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens and started every game his rookie year.

Michael Oher is a hero to me because he was able to make it to the NFL even though he had a difficult childhood. Michael did not give up his dreams of one day getting out of his poor neighborhood and making something out of his life. He now does not have to struggle because he never gave up believing that he could overcome his hardships. He doesn’t complain about the fact that he had a bad family life and is thankful to those who helped him reach his goals. He says, “I’m not going to feel sorry for myself because I didn’t have a place to stay a lot of the time. It is what it is.” I will try to remember these words when I am feeling sorry for myself because things don’t go my way or are hard. Michael is a hero because he gives money to the homeless and never takes what he has for granted. He always had a lot of talent but needed to be given the opportunity to succeed. I have the opportunity already because I have a loving family that supports me. I learned from him that I should always try my hardest not to give up

Michael Oher fits my definition of a hero. He overcame a difficult situation and persevered, making it to the highest level. He has everything he ever dreamed of, a family, a career and an education. He doesn’t take anything for granted and remembers to help those in similar situations. Michael Oher is definitely someone who fits the quote “...when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”