Betting the Odds: The REAL Michael Oher Story

Thanks to my IPad and Amazon, my pre-ordered book "I Beat the Odds" arrived as promised on Tuesday, February 8th.  After viewing the film The Blind Side and reading Michael Lewis' The Blind Side, I was anxious to finally hear Michael Oher's side of this amazing story.  I harbor deep feelings about sport films, so it was not uncommon for me to do further research on the accuracy of the story that was told on the movie screen. It is critically important that we begin to become more interested in the complete story when supporting movies that protray real stories. 




I have to disagree with Joy Behar, as she stated on the The View that "The movie was pretty accurate".  I argue that as surface level as movies come, this movie was only accurate in accordance with that form.  If you were inspired or even simply found the story compelling, you MUST read I Beat the Odds to obtain the full accuracy of Michael Oher's story.  It is clear, from his own words, that the movie painted the picture of the "Great White Hope" storyline that is so common in films sharing the success stories of African American men, especially athletes.  If I was not a Sandra Bullock fan, I probably would have bypassed this movie as I suspected that the African Americans in the film would be painted as "The bad guys".  Unfortunately, I was correct with the exception of the single tender moment that was shared between the movie portral of Leanne and Michael's mother. 

As I am in the process of writing a book review that compares the 3 difference versions of Michael Oher's story, I will not use this space to share those thoughts.  I did want use this vehicle to encourage those who watched the film, plan to watch the film, or simply find this an interesting story to take the time to read the Michael Oher version. 

Eagles Players Pledge to Protect Young Boy

With all of the attention surrounding social networking and recruiting, I thought this story was a refreshing break from all the drama of life in sports.

I hope that you will take the opportunity to watch the segment of The View, where 3 Philadelphia Eagles players stepped up to acknowledge the awful ordeal that Nadine has endured and show their support for him in the future. It is clear that Nadine has a supportive family (Father, Mother, and Sister), but it never hurts to feel the amount of love that was shown to him by the Eagles players. They showed up today, in a big way, for this young man and this is why I LOVE ATHLETIC STARDOM!! People can say what they want to about athletes, but most of them take the time to use their celebrity for good and not evil!

As reported by The View hosts, these players rearranged their personal schedules in order to be present for this young man today. I imagine that the relationship that was developed today on the show is something that he will never forget. As he watched the players walk into the room, it was clearly a dream that was so unimaginable to him it brought tears to his eyes. On top of the emotion that his reaction brought to everyone in the room, even stone faced Whoopi, DeSean Jackson goes above and beyond consistantly putting his arms around the young man to assure he was ok! They declared on national television that they consider this young man apart of their family, and made it official when DeSean took the jersey off his back and signed it for Nadine. Topping off this generous act, the players declared to the young man that if he ever found himself in trouble again that they would be there to support him! I hope no one is crazy enough to mess with him again, because The View women even weighed in on this, and who wants to hear their mouths when it hits the fan!

This story has inspired me to keep a database of "Athletes Caught Being Good"! When I was in middle school, we had "Caught Being Good" awards from our teachers at the end of the week. Our C.B.G. awards were so impactful in my life that I am glad to use this to honor Edison Middle School for noticing that being good is a choice! It is easy for us to focus on the bad things, where the good things seem to just pass us by. I will be sure to upload any stories that I find. If you know of any please share them with me also!

In the words of the acclaimed Whoopi Goldberg and sometimes Barbara Walters.... "Take a little time to enjoy The View"!