Michael Oher shares message of resilience, purpose at Tragedy into Triumph event

Michael Oher’s life could have turned out so different.

The retired NFL lineman grew up in the projects in Memphis, Tennessee, bouncing around foster homes as his mother was a drug addict and father was in and out of jail. He could have easily fallen into the same habits as either of his parents and turned to a life of drugs and crime.

But he knew he could do better; and made sure growing up that he wouldn’t be tempted by the same pitfalls that grabbed his parents and most of his friends.

Oher climbed out of that situation, thanks to good personal choices and sports, eventually going to college and then playing in the NFL. He explained how he overcame all of that during the third and final night of Tragedy into Triumph, a simulcast event held at Mount Vernon Nazarene University that is dedicated to helping individuals find hope, renewal and transformation through faith.

“No matter how dire your situation, you hold the power to shape your future – through integrity, character, perseverance, love and a positive mindset. Character isn’t just a trait; it’s the foundation that turns tragedy into triumph,” Oher said.

Oher began the night by thanking the crowd for not booing him, as he played for the Baltimore Ravens, a bitter rival of both Ohio professional football teams. He explained that while many feel they know his story thanks to the book and movie “The Blind Side,” not everything reported was true. While he was in and out of foster homes most of his childhood, he wasn’t as bad a student as the movie portrayed him. He struggled mainly because of hunger – he missed school because he was searching for food.

“It was like playing a game with the odds stacked against you. I attended 11 different schools before ninth grade. I missed school just to find food. The distraction of the gnawing, emptiness in my stomach,” he said. “Now, I can’t imagine my 7-year-old daughter, wandering the streets. I found comfort because from a very early age, I always felt different than my friends. God takes his toughest soldiers through these battles, so we can lead the generations that’s coming behind us.”

He ran away from one of those foster homes when he was 10, living on the streets for nearly a year. But after spending some time in the hospital, he decided to go back to school. He had to catch up on the time he missed, but it didn’t take long, thanks to his love of school and education.

“My first love was school. I thought going to school, wanted to go to a community college. I thought I’d get four, five, six jobs. Sports was my plan B. doing the right thing, breaking the cycle and being a good person was my thing,” Oher said. “(Then) Puberty hit and I grew. Soon after I fell in love with the Dallas Cowboys. Every day I was on the field and court. Once I put something in my mind, you can’t tell me I can’t do it. Even though I didn’t have anybody navigating me.”

He was able to catch up with his education, and thanks to the help of friends, he found himself at Briarcrest Christian School for high school. By that time, puberty had struck and Oher had grown into a full-sized man. He made quite the name for himself at Briarcrest, getting college offers from all over the nation.

Oher chose the University of Mississippi, where he became an All-American, and was then drafted by the Ravens in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. He played five years with the Ravens, winning the super bowl in 2013, then played for the Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers before retiring because of injuries.

“The adversities of my life weren’t done. I would face one of my toughest challenges. When the game ends, the real life begins. 2016 was my last year in the NFL. I got hurt and was released,” Oher said. “Was this the end? Did I overcome poverty to make it to the NFL to watch it crumble? I struggled to find a solution. I realized a hurt man helps nobody. I would have to accept the vulnerability this brought. I wasn’t going to get past this tragedy on my own. I had to rely on my wife, my kids, my friends. I was dedicated to becoming healthy and restoring my mind.

“This journey taught me that true resilience involves learning from others. Transforming personal pain into strength. I fought through tragedy and found triumph this time with a helping hand. There were thousands of kids on the streets, like me, struggling on the streets. Kids with the potential to make a positive impact on their lives and communities if they had the opportunity like I had. I had found a new mission. That’s when I started the Oher Foundation – to give kids just like me the opportunity to reach their potential and break the cycles of poverty.

“The greatest triumph is helping others overcome their tragedies. I think my greatest triumph wasn’t about overcoming poverty, making it to college or the NFL. My greatest triumph is helping others. You have the power to be the light for someone else, start today and watch how your actions ripple into positive change in lives around you. … My story started in the streets and went to the super bowl. My legacy will be in love and action.”