Michael Oher's mom burst into tears as she witnessed the historical battle of the Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos two weeks ago in the NFC championship held in San Francisco. Leigh Anne Tuohy considers seeing her son's Super Bowl level appearance as a very overwhelming experience after being counted out by so many people last year.
Oher began his NFC carreer in 2009 being chosen at the first-round draft. He entered the Baltimore Ravens in 2013 where he had his first Super Bowl win. He started playing for the Tennessee Titans in 2014. During one of the games, he got one of his toes injured which prevented him from playing for the rest of the season.
And on February 2014, he was released from the team. Michael however did not lose hope in spite of being counted out. His hope proved him after one month when the Panthers offered Oher a two-year contract.
"The greatest validation is the fact that so many people counted Michael out last year and here is a life lesson for everyone: Don't count people out. Don't look at that person because they didn't do what you think they should've done or what you think they should've been doing and say they're done or they're toast. Don't label that person because you don't know their story," said Leigh Anne Tuohy.
"When people are determined and they work hard, you don't know what can happen. Here's a kid who didn't listen to what people said about him. He kept working. He kept focused, and he kept doing the right thing," she added, according to ABC News.
Michael's story had been an inspiration for the book entitled 'The Blind Side' which later became hit movie in 2009 where Sandra Bullock played the role of the mother Leigh Anne and Quinton Aaron played as Michael Oher. The Story talks about the couple Sean and Leigh Anne who adopted young Michael to their family including the two children Collins and S.J.in spite of the racial difference, according to Yahoo Parenting.
"In this world we live in, racism is alive and well in all venues. We immediately categorize people, and that's just not right. As a country, we have to stop judging people. I love Michael Oher as much as I love my two biological children. There's no difference in them. I'd like to be known for stepping up, and encouraging others to do the same," the proud mom concluded, according to Today.
