I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2011

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 3

Chapters 4-9

Chapters 10-15

Chapters 16-21

Key Figures

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Key Figures

Michael Oher

Michael Oher is the central figure of I Beat the Odds, telling his story from his earliest memories to his rookie year in the NFL. Born in Memphis, Tennessee to a family of 12 children headed by a single mother, Oher’s life was a struggle from the start. His mother experienced substance use, the family was underprivileged, and Oher did not get the time and attention needed to have a stable upbringing. The family frequently moved, meaning he often changed schools—which had a detrimental effect on his studies. From early on, the city’s Child Protection Services were involved in Oher’s life, and for a time, he moved from one foster family to another. All this left him behind in many ways, educationally and socially.

With the help of caring families and mentors, Oher found different places to stay and was guided toward good schools—where he filled in the gaps in his education and learned how to study. This is how he found himself attending Briarcrest High School and living with the Tuohys, an upper-middle class white family.

Oher also developed his athletic skills via his school’s football, basketball, and track and field teams. Teenage Oher was significantly larger than his peers and put this to use in sports—eventually focusing on and exceling in football. After improving his grades, he was able to seek Division I schools where he could play college football. He played left and right tackle for the University of Mississippi and became a top prospect for the NFL draft. Graduating in 2009, he was the 23rd overall pick by the Baltimore Ravens. The team would go on to win Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.

Throughout the book, Oher describes himself as quiet and shy, not wanting to be the center of attention. Even today, he doesn’t consider himself a celebrity and tries not to live his life extravagantly.

Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy

The Tuohys are one of the families who allowed Oher to live with them. When he was essentially without a home, Oher rotated his stays among friends so as to not burden anyone, but Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy had him permanently move in with them. Not long after, they became his legal guardians, making him an official member of their family.

The Tuohys owned a number of fast food franchises in Memphis and came to know Oher through the Briarcrest basketball team—which Sean Tuohy coached for. Knowing Oher had little spending money, Sean quietly set up a lunch account so Oher could order anything in the school cafeteria without worrying about payment. Once Leigh Anne Tuohy learned of Oher’s situation, she offered to take him shopping for clothes. The Tuohys invited Oher to dinner one day, the children got to know him, and their relationship developed from there. The couple’s daughter Collins attended Briarcrest and the University of Mississippi with Oher, and their son S.J. came to look up to him as an older brother.

Sean is not described much in the book, but Leigh Anne is depicted as a spirited woman who bows to no one. In Chapter 13, Oher tells the story of her videotaping his basketball games—and informing the referees of it—to stop excessive fouls. Similarly, when ESPN analyst Todd McShay made a rude comment about Oher’s character before the NFL draft, “mama bear” Leigh Anne apparently had to be calmed down as her first instinct was to protect him.

“Big” Tony Henderson

Tony was one of Oher’s mentors. Tony met Oher in Hurt Village and recruited him to play for the local basketball team. Tony’s son Steve was a grade below Oher, and the two became fast friends. Oher could relate to “Big” Tony as the latter was a large man who knew what it was like to be bigger than one’s peers. Tony let Oher stay with his family, coached him in sports, and helped him get into Briarcrest. Tony didn’t want to separate Oher and Steve, so he eventually found a school that would accept both. Oher took this as a sign that Tony truly loved him and was to be trusted.

Bobbie Spivey

Many people helped Oher escape his difficult circumstances, but Bobbie Spivey stands out as having a long-standing positive influence. Oher opens the book with him driving to meet Spivey at her office in Memphis. Spivey worked at the Department of Children’s Services and was the caseworker in charge of a young Oher’s family. Despite having seen her as a “bounty hunter” who separated families in his youth, Oher now recognizes her as a mentor, as she had his and his siblings’ best interests at heart.