The Blind Side: The Real Story

[AwakenTheDemon]

Did anyone else catch the special on E!? It was on today and last saturday, I believe. For those of you who didn't, it will be on wednesday at 5:30pm EST and sunday at 9:30am EST.

It's a special, naturally, about the movie but mostly focuses on Oher himself and the actual Tuohy's. There's quite a few interviews with Michael about how he felt about the movie and about his situation growing up. I already respected him, but after hearing some of the things he said about what he went through and how dedicated he was to better himself, I somehow found more respect for him. He seemed so genuine and humble. Not to mention, he displayed good personal values and morals.

The show just went to show you just how hard Michael worked and how much he was dedicated to not only just getting to the NFL, but legitimately making his life better. He went from not knowing anything in the tenth grade (apparently he didn't know what an ocean or a bird's nest was), to making the honor roll his freshman year at Ole Miss and that speaks volumes. Seeing Oher speak himself about his life, and about the Tuohy's, was much more inspirational than the movie was. Needless to say, he's grown by leaps and bounds into the list of my favorite players. I'm glad that he's a Raven, and it's not just about what he brings to the field, but the character he has.

*ahem* Anyways, it's a great watch, for Raven fans and football fans in general.

[Rav'n Maniac]

Looking forward to seeing it. Thanks for the info.

[Twoo]

Anyone else kind of getting tired of hearing about the Michael Oher story?

[AwakenTheDemon]

If you're getting tired of the Michael Oher story, why post in a thread about the Michael Oher story other than to complain?

[Twoo]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='11 May 2010 - 06:50 AM' timestamp='1273575047' post='408400']
If you're getting tired of the Michael Oher story, why post in a thread about the Michael Oher story other than to complain?
[/quote]

Because I knew you'd ask.

[BloodRaven]

He was probably hoping there was new light on the story.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='Twoo' date='11 May 2010 - 06:02 AM' timestamp='1273575747' post='408405']
Because I knew you'd ask.
[/quote]

Sure you did, buddy. Whatever.

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='11 May 2010 - 06:06 AM' timestamp='1273576000' post='408406']
He was probably hoping there was new light on the story.
[/quote]

It's not meant for any "new light". What's new that's left to be told? The whole special is meant to be about the story without the Hollywood drama added into it. Regardless, it's not just a telling of his story, there's interviews with Michael himself, the Tuohy's, his tutor, even the kid who played him in the movie.

[plesiosaur]

[quote name='Twoo' date='11 May 2010 - 06:35 AM' timestamp='1273574141' post='408397']
Anyone else kind of getting tired of hearing about the Michael Oher story?
[/quote]

I'm waiting for the musical remake of the movie. Then the movie of the musical remake of the movie. Then the remake of the movie of the musical remake of the movie.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I didn't know a book and a movie was so overwhelming to some of you people. Some of you act as if there's been three movies, two made for television movies, and eight television specials regarding Oher, which naturally is not the case. Believe it or not, some of us might actually find a thirty minute show regarding Oher speaking for himself, not an author, a director or writers showing us their interpretation. Since I didn't know about it until I saw it on my guide, I thought I might let others know about it. You know, those who aren't busy attempting to write witty replies to threads they only came in to complain about.

[Twoo]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='11 May 2010 - 11:09 AM' timestamp='1273590587' post='408483']
I didn't know a book and a movie was so overwhelming to some of you people. Some of you act as if there's been three movies, two made for television movies, and eight television specials regarding Oher, which naturally is not the case. Believe it or not, some of us might actually find a thirty minute show regarding Oher speaking for himself, not an author, a director or writers showing us their interpretation. Since I didn't know about it until I saw it on my guide, I thought I might let others know about it. You know, those who aren't busy attempting to write witty replies to threads they only came in to complain about.
[/quote]

- Blind Side Book
- Blind Side Movie
- Michael Oher memoir
- (Michael Oher will release another memoir/novel if/when he wins a Superbowl and is contracted to it already)
- Tohey family memoir
- 60 Minutes Oher interview
- 20/20 Oher interview
- E! Oher interview
- 7 billion websites talking about it

So all in all... we're talking 4 books, a major motion picture, dozens of interviews... yeah. The cows money udders are almost dry.

[Purple Nurple]

lol at some of the posts already. Senses of humor are rare around here. Relax on the negs, folks.

I saw it when it first aired. LOVE the amount of Ravens references. We were well represented. In fact, I had several people at work comment about Oher after the program aired......

[yakraven]

When a book is written about you and a movie is then based on that book, and it's a true story, I think the guy it's about should be able to tell "his side" of the story. I haven't read 'The Blind Side", so I don't know how involved Oher was in it's writing but apparently he feels something needs to be said. We all know that movies take liberties w/the truth to make it more interesting and he has commented that some of the movie didn't exactly show him in a good light.
I also have no problem w/ the Tuohy's writing a book - I mean seriously folks, there aren't many fairly well to do upper middle class white family's going to willingly invite a Very large black kid, especially in the South and especially in Memphis, into their home and provide the platform for him to better his life.

Lighten up on the sarcasm and use the remote when it comes on if you are tired of it (I mean, it ain't like anyone has to actually get up and go to the tube anymore)

[JohnJohnson]

[quote name='Twoo' date='11 May 2010 - 11:38 AM' timestamp='1273592293' post='408499']
- Blind Side Book
- Blind Side Movie
- Michael Oher memoir
- (Michael Oher will release another memoir/novel if/when he wins a Superbowl and is contracted to it already)
- Tohey family memoir
- 60 Minutes Oher interview
- 20/20 Oher interview
- E! Oher interview
- 7 billion websites talking about it

So all in all... we're talking 4 books, a major motion picture, dozens of interviews... yeah. The cows money udders are almost dry.
[/quote]

Ok...let's put this into context.

The book was written by Michael Lewis, and then when he got to the NFL they made a movie based on it. He became even more famous, which explains the interviews by 60 minutes, 20/20 and E!, for which he probably makes no money. The websites have nothing to do with anything. That leaves Oher's new book, which is explained by the fact that he doesn't particularly like the way he was portrayed in the book/movie. He figures that if his story is going to be out there, we should have the true story with the facts coming directly from him.

If you're going to claim that Oher has a contract to write a second memoir if he wins a Super Bowl, you need to provide the source, because I have trouble believing that and couldn't find anything about it. Gotham Books has announced that Oher's autobiography, titled I Beat the Odds, will be published in February 2011.

[plesiosaur]

I think the attention to Oher's story is fantastic. It's a hugely positive island in the ocean of negativity that seems to be [i]de rigueur[/i] these days.

I'm sick of announcers saying "blind side" every time they notice the Ravens and Oher are playing. Seems like at least once a game one of them had to say it. Even worse if they mention Sandra Bullock.

[thewarden86]

Thanks for the heads up. Definitely be checking that out.

Demon, would you mind reminding me maybe on Friday? I have the memory of a goldfish. lol

[AwakenTheDemon]

I'll give you that, it annoyed me when they'd bring up The Blind Side whenever they talked about Oher. No matter how well Oher plays in the NFL, he'll most likely be remembered as "the guy who the Blind Side was based on" then about how dominate a tackle he may be. Of course, that's only to non-Raven fans. We'll all appreciate and love Oher for what he brings to the field.

[quote name='thewarden86' date='11 May 2010 - 02:05 PM' timestamp='1273604757' post='408609']
Thanks for the heads up. Definitely be checking that out.

[b]Demon, would you mind reminding me maybe on Friday? I have the memory of a goldfish. lol[/b]
[/quote]

Yeah, man. I don't mind

[Integrity]

I watched the E! interview and I liked it. The biggest problem Oher has with the movie is the way they portrayed him as having to learn how to play football. According to him, he's always known how to play and its always been second nature to him. If it were my profession, I could see how it would annoy me to be portrayed that way. Good for him for setting the record straight.

I also liked the interview they did with Quinton Andrews. Apparently right before he landed the role for the movie, he was about to be evicted. He said it wasn't a far stretch for him to portray Oher during the scene where he returns to hurt village to find the eviction notice on the door.

[Moderator 2]

I think he was portrayed in the book as slow, which obviously he is not , or he would have never made up all the schooling. I think its a great story and I LOVED the movie ending with the draft.

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='11 May 2010 - 11:09 AM' timestamp='1273590587' post='408483']
I didn't know a book and a movie was so overwhelming to some of you people. Some of you act as if there's been three movies, two made for television movies, and eight television specials regarding Oher, which naturally is not the case. Believe it or not, some of us might actually find a thirty minute show regarding Oher speaking for himself, not an author, a director or writers showing us their interpretation. Since I didn't know about it until I saw it on my guide, I thought I might let others know about it. You know, those who aren't busy attempting to write witty replies to threads they only came in to complain about.
[/quote]

Thanks for the "heads-up" regarding the E! special, I was not aware of it - but I will try to watch on Sunday night. I loved the movie, but I am more interested in what Michael, himself, has to say - as well as the Tuohy's thoughts. Also, Michael and the Tuohy's are on "Extreme Edition Home Makeover" finale on Sunday night, just in case anyone is interested. I would like to add that I read alot of threads that don't particularly interest me (this one is not included) and I just don't respond - unless the poster makes some ridiculous assertations. Generally, I only post a response if I strongly agree/disagree with the poster. Complaining on this Board usually doesn;t get a good response! LOL

[K-Dog]

thanks for the heads up.

Hopefully I will remeber to tune in tomorrow.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='11 May 2010 - 07:51 PM' timestamp='1273625473' post='408790']
Oh it was a joke. Lighten up ya big babies. lol
[/quote]

As did I.

[quote name='thewarden86' date='11 May 2010 - 08:05 PM' timestamp='1273626351' post='408797']
Thanks 'Nurps. You didn't have to do that. Afterall, you at least owe me for that Ed Reed thread.
[/quote]

Like how stats are for suckers when your dude is on the short end of the stick?

But, yeah, Michael definitely isn't slow. I believe they said he'd do seven hours of homework every night his senior year just so he could graduate. It's not just the fact that he was essentially almost homeless when the Tuohy's took him in, it was the neighborhood he grew up in, and how easy it would have been for him to just fall into the world of gangs and drugs, but he wanted to do better for himself. You have to respect that.

I'll agree about the end of the movie, one of the few movies I sat through the credits to see the actual pictures of him and his family.

[DrMoonTooth]

I swear that E! airing was simply a portion of the 20/20 special. Either that or the 60 minutes special because I had definitely seen it before, which disappointed me...

-I'm really looking forward to both the Touhy's memoir as well as Michael's story. Both should offer a much more detailed story, since it's coming directly from the family themselves. You still have to appreciate Michael Lewis' research, though. Which brings me to another thing that maybe only I noticed...

***Why was Michael Lewis never mentioned in the movie, 60 Minutes, 20/20, or 'E!'? I know he sold the rights to produce the movie, but I found it extremely disrespectful that Lewis wasn't mentioned at all whatsoever. Can any one offer a reason as to why he isn't given credit? (keep in mind he wrote the book from a LONG line of interviews & incredible research that is to be expected from such a great writer. For proof, see [u]Moneyball[/u])

Being a huge fan of Michael Lewis' books, I couldn't stand that aspect of the movie or any of the specials.

[Mick0311]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='11 May 2010 - 01:05 PM' timestamp='1273604757' post='408609']
Thanks for the heads up. Definitely be checking that out.

Demon, would you mind reminding me maybe on Friday? I have the memory of a goldfish. lol
[/quote]


Well, you are a Steelers fan. J/K my man, you know we like you hanging around here. Oh, and I just noticed your info there, Semper Fi brother!

[flynismo]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' date='11 May 2010 - 10:38 AM' timestamp='1273592304' post='408501']
lol at some of the posts already. Senses of humor are rare around here. Relax on the negs, folks.
[/quote]


gotta love the offseason...


Anywho, I think that the whole Oher story is getting worn out, but only because it is such a great story to share.

I'm proud of the guy; has nothing to do with football. With all the riffraff running around Bmore these days, it's nice to hear a story like Oher's. A timeless lesson of preserverance and faith.
And I'll never forget the image of him and his family at the draft. It was a beautiful thing.

Now can we get back to X's and O's??

[darklight1216]

Stay on topic. This isn't the Dump Thread.

[thewarden86]

So, I watched the 30 minute "True Story" yesterday. It was a little upsetting to even HEAR the question posed of "what about people who say you planned to raise this kid as a football player, reap the beneits and took him in for that reason alone?"

Pathetic. This is why I hate most people and loathe the media.

I loved the Mother's stance however: "No one has ever said that to my face."

[Moderator 2]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='17 May 2010 - 03:20 PM' timestamp='1274124058' post='410936']
So, I watched the 30 minute "True Story" yesterday. It was a little upsetting to even HEAR the question posed of "what about people who say you planned to raise this kid as a football player, reap the beneits and took him in for that reason alone?"

Pathetic. This is why I hate most people and loathe the media.

I loved the Mother's stance however: "No one has ever said that to my face."
[/quote]
They really went into that in the book and somewhat the movie, it really sucks that they look for hidden agendas under every rock.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='17 May 2010 - 02:20 PM' timestamp='1274124058' post='410936']
So, I watched the 30 minute "True Story" yesterday. It was a little upsetting to even HEAR the question posed of "what about people who say you planned to raise this kid as a football player, reap the beneits and took him in for that reason alone?"

Pathetic. This is why I hate most people and loathe the media.

I loved the Mother's stance however: "No one has ever said that to my face."
[/quote]

Yeah, especially considering it's not like they just gave Michael a room and helped him get his grades up, while otherwise ignoring him. The family genuinely loved him, as he did them. He was treated like a family member, not the family's future gift to Ole Miss. It made me a little angry as well to hear the insinuations in the show, as well as the movie.

Not to mention later Oher said something along the lines of "what's wrong with somebody helping someone in need" when they asked him about the whole "Rich White Family Rescues Poor Black Child" situation.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Moderator 2' date='17 May 2010 - 03:46 PM' timestamp='1274125560' post='410951']
They really went into that in the book and somewhat the movie, it really sucks that they look for hidden agendas under every rock.
[/quote]

I can't stand that garbage. It's usually those who care about no one but themselves who participate in those tactics.