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.