From Tennessee roots to national recognition, Michael Oher’s journey is one marked by resilience, perseverance, and inspiration. Before he became the famed NFL champion he is today, he was just a young boy in Memphis with big dreams and even bigger determination. Simply surviving the majority of his childhood, by the age of ten, he had been in and out of foster care, lived on the streets, and already missed almost two years of education.
“My first accomplishment—before sports, before anything—was just going to school and trying to get an education. I didn't have to go to school… I didn't have anyone waking me up [in the morning]… I just went on my own, and that's when the journey started for me,” Oher shares.
In eighth grade, he found his true stride in sports, beginning with church basketball and quickly emerging as a standout athlete in basketball, baseball, and football. His talent was inevitable, and by graduation, he was one of the most sought-after five-star football recruits in the country. In 2005, he began his first year at The University of Mississippi, earning First-Team All-SEC honors and being recognized as one of the top offensive linemen in college football. Soon after, he became a dominant SEC lineman and first-round NFL Draft pick, playing for the Baltimore Ravens before signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2014. Oher’s story is a testament to his hard work and dedication—and also inspired the award-winning film, The Blindside.
“I thought [by] going to school—if I could get to a community college—that would be great for me. Sports were always on my radar, but it wasn't the end-all be-all for me,” he shares. “[I got to attend] a good high school because I was a good athlete… it wasn't my grade point average. If that was the case, I wouldn't have gotten in there.”
Inspired by his own journey, Oher has remained committed to changing the narrative for children—not just athletes—who lack access to critical resources. He built The Oher Foundation in 2018 to grant scholarships, mentorship programs, and leadership initiatives, as well as to create opportunities for the next generation and empower them to break barriers and reach their full potential. Not only does the foundation provide students with full tuition to their partner schools—such as Lipscomb University—but they also supply transportation to and from school, a mentor program, and a success coordinator to join them in their classes and help the transition while being someone they can confide in.
An inspiration both on and off the field, Oher’s definition of success has always gone beyond beating the odds—it’s about motivating those around him to become the best version of themselves. During his time at the University of Mississippi, he met his wife, Tiffany, and the pair has since built a life together in Brentwood, raising five children and celebrating their marriage in November 2022. The Oher family has called Middle Tennessee home for over a decade and loves the community they have built here. Tiffany plays a pivotal role in The Oher Foundation, diligently working behind the scenes to ensure their structure and strategy are carried out with excellence. Together, the couple strike a thoughtful balance between purpose and execution, creating meaningful and lasting impact for those they serve.
“Michael inspires through his strength, his kindhearted nature, and his resilience… just the way he moves through life and how he takes care of his family,” Tiffany shares. “We lean on one another in the Oher household… it’s not about what we do or how the public sees us, it's about how our kids view us and how God sees us that matter the most.”
Thankful for the community they have built—both locally and beyond—Oher reflects on the work they have done through his foundation and the work they will continue to do to make a difference. Whether it’s attending an event of the foundation, volunteering, or simply taking the time to learn about their mission, the team is grateful for everyone’s help in working to raise awareness to such an important cause.
“I want to continue to grow and get the foundation into other schools. So many people talk about making this world a better place, and I like to say you're only as strong as your weakest link. We have to start from the ground up—and for me, it starts with education,” Oher shares on his goals for the foundation. “[I want the] kids coming through the program to [know] that everything is at their fingertips and in their control… they can do anything that they want to do, they just have to put in the work and get it done.”
For more information on The Oher Foundation, visit their website and follow them on social media.
oherfoundation.org
@theoherfoundation
“I started playing football in eighth grade… we didn't win a game my first season, but I just enjoyed being a part of something. That gave me the motivation that I needed to go to school.”
“I didn't want to be a statistic. I wanted to break that cycle.”
"It changes everything when someone is educated… we have to start there, but we have to start with our young people. If we can try to focus on that, I think we'll see a change for the generations to come.”