How The Movie “Rudy” Changes The Real Life Story

Athletes | 9/25/24

The decision to make Rudy was made in a very random and fortuitous way. Angelo Pizzo and David Anspagh had success with the movie Hoosiers and were on the lookout for a new sports movie. A brother of their friend overheard Rudy telling his Notre Dame tale and alerted the filmmakers of the story.

To give the movie a bit more drama, Pizzo and Anspagh took some liberties with the actual events. While some changes are major and some are minor, they all had an impact on the final product.

The Movie - Rudy Had An Older Brother

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In the film version, Rudy had an older brother named Frank. His brother worked at the steel mill with Rudy and his father. Frank was not supportive of his brother and encouraged him to realize that his place was at home working at the mill.

Eventually, after Rudy is able to make the football team and appear in a game for the Fighting Irish, Frank comes around and begins to support his younger brother and takes their father to the game.

Real Life - Rudy Was The Eldest Son

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Rudy was actually the oldest son in his family which included 14 children. And he never worked in a steel mill. Following his high school graduation, Ruettiger served in the Navy for two years, then worked in a power plant for two more.

When discussing the movie, Ruettiger said that the Frank character was meant to represent a number of different people who had put him down or underestimated him as he chased his dream of playing for the Irish.

The Movie - Rudy's Father Wasn't Supportive

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The film begins with Rudy, his father and his family watching Notre Dame on television. The hero of the film, who had just graduated from high school tells his father that he dreams of playing for the Irish and his father laughs at him.

The message is that Rudy belongs in town, starting a family and working at the mill. As he works hard and becomes a member of the football team, Rudy's father begins to come around and cheers for his son from the South Bend stands.

Real Life - Rudy's Father Was Supportive

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Daniel Ruettiger Sr., who Rudy was named for, was quite different from how he is portrayed in the film. While he may have tried to encourage his 5-6 son to have realistic goals, he never put him down when he talked about his dreams.

Rudy, himself, has come out to tell filmgoers that his father didn't really behave the way he did at times in the film. The character experienced a subtle change to make for a better movie.

The Movie - Rudy Struggled To Pay For School

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In the movie, Rudy works at a steel mill in the town of Joliet, Illinois. He moves from Joliet to South Bend, Indiana so that he can attend Holy Cross College before eventually qualifying to attend Notre Dame.

Paying for school is a struggle for Rudy as he studies and also tries to make the football team. The homeless student eventually lands a job on the Notre Dame groundskeeping crew and his boss allows him to sleep on a cot in the office.

Real Life - The GI Bill Paid For Rudy's Education

still shot from rudy with one of his coaches

TriStar Pictures

A large part of Rudy's hardship in the film is his struggle to find both employment and housing. This is eventually solved when he joins the grounds crew at Notre Dame. None of that actually happened.

The film never mentions Reuttiger's service in the Navy, but that was a real asset when he went to school. The GI Bill paid for both Rudy's tuition at Holy Cross and Notre Dame and also paid for his place to live.

The Movie - Head Groundskeeper Fortune Took Care Of Rudy

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In the movie, Rudy had moved to South Bend, Indiana from Joliet, Illinois and did not have much of a support system. He soon became broke and homeless and was eventually helped out by the Notre Dame head groundskeeper named Fortune.

Fortune had been keeping the stadium grass well maintained for over 20 years, but had never actually attended a game there. But when Rudy got the nod to take in his first game, Fortune was there to watch him play.

Real Life - The Was No Fortune

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As discussed before, Rudy attended both Holy Cross and Notre Dame on the GI Bill. Since both his education and his housing were paid for, there was no need for him to tend the grounds or sleep on a cot in an office.

Fortune, who has some of the film's best lines, was created to add a new mentor and foil for the lead character. Ruettiger claims that the character was created to represent a number of different people who supported him.

The Movie- Rudy Spent All His Time Working And Studying

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In the film, Rudy does not have much time on his hands. In order to keep attending Notre Dame, he has to work hard at his groundskeeping job and also keep his grades up to stay in school.

And that was on top of his regular practices with the team. The film does show Rudy attempting to tell girls at a local bar that he plays for Notre Dame, but nothing ever really comes of that storyline.

Real Life- Rudy Has An Active Social And Athletic Life

TriStar Pictures

We already know that Rudy did not work on the grounds crew at Notre Dame as his school and housing were already paid for. And while at school, Ruettiger took advantage of his college experience.

One thing he regularly took part in where benefit boxing matches called Bengal Bouts. Despite only coming in at about 5-6, Rudy was a fierce competitor in the ring. Ruettiger later claimed he was well known on campus due to his participation in these matches.

The Film - Rudy Attends A Notre/Dame-Penn State Game

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One striking moment from the film is when Rudy's hard work begins to pay off and he becomes a student at Notre Dame. The hero had found out that he was dyslexic and having that diagnosis, was able to improve his grades.

To celebrate, Rudy attends a game in South Bend between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Penn State Nittany Lions. The majesty of the stadium reminds Rudy of his goals and allows him to push forward.

Real Life - Notre Dame Didn't Play Penn State in the 1970's

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Rudy couldn't have possibly seen a game against Penn State because the two teams did not play each other while he was attending the University. That wasn't the only game discrepancy either.

The Notre Dame/Georgia Tech match-up in which Ruettiger took part was shown to be the last game of the season. The Irish played two games following the Georgia Tech bout in 1975. There is also a fan seen holding a Boston College banner. Many of the scenes were filmed during a ND/BC game.

The Movie - Dan Devine Was A Villain

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During the film, Notre Dame Coach Ara Parseghian promises Rudy that he will dress for a football game while he is the coach. Unfortunately for our hero, Parseghian is replaced by Coach Dan Devine who is not a fan of Rudy.

The movie paints Devine as a villain who wants nothing to do with Rudy or his story. It takes a near revolt from his entire roster of players for Devine to turn around and give Ruettiger the opportunity to play.

Real Life - Dan Devine Totally Supported Rudy

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Coach Devine, who came to Notre Dame from the Green Bay Packers in 1975, was completely supportive of his practice squad player and appreciative of what Rudy provided for the team. He was not someone who stood in his way.

In fact, the idea that Rudy would play in the game against Georgia Tech came from Devine, himself. Prior to the game, the coach declared that everyone who dressed would play in the game, including Ruettiger.

The Movie - Rudy's Teammates Layed Down Their Jerseys For Him

TriStar Pictures

Late in the film, Rudy learns that he will not be dressing out with Notre Dame in the final game of the season. This irritates his teammates that have been witnesses to his passion and drive over the last two years.

In a stirring scene, each of Rudy's teammates walks into Coach Dan Devine's office and lay down their jerseys saying that Ruettiger deserves it over them. The sacrifice from his teammates leads Devine to let Rudy dress.

Real Life - This Sacrifice By His Teammates Wasn't Necessary

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Dan Devine was actually happy to dress Rudy for the Georgia Tech game as a thank you for his hard work. Since the coach was supportive of the player to begin with, his teammates didn't have to lay down their jerseys.

When the filmmakers approached Devine about the movie, he told them they could make him out the be the bad guy. The former coach, though, was very upset with the jersey scene and felt that it painted him in an unfair light.

The Movie - The Crowd Chants For Rudy Until He's Put In The Game

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In the film version, the Notre Dame student body is alerted to Rudy's story via an article in the school paper. When it is clear that the game is an easy win for Notre Dame, the crowd begins to stir.

That stirring develops into raucous chanting of Rudy's name by the entire Notre Dame crowd. Moved by the crowd's reaction, a chagrined Dan Devine is finally swayed and tells the coaches to put Ruettiger into the game.

Real Life - The Crowd Chanted For Rudy But Only After He Made A Play

Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Some at the game did know of Rudy and what he meant to the team, but not the entire crowd. They certainly didn't influence the coach to put the player in a game her otherwise wouldn't have.

It is more likely the fans noticed Ruettiger when a 5-6 man joined a game full of giants. And the crowd did end up chanting for Rudy, but that is only after he ended up making a big play.

Rudy Is Carried Off The Field By His Teammates

rudy being carried off the field by teammates

TriStar Pictures

The movie ends with a true fairy-tale moment. After participating in a kickoff, the coaches decide to keep Ruettiger in for one more play. Getting a great jump on the play, Rudy is able to get into the backfield and sack the quarterback.

The crowd loses its mind. Rudy's teammates, amazed at his incredible feat, carry him off the field. The film ends by noting that no Notre Dame player had been carried off the field since.

Real Life - Carrying Rudy Off Was Tongue In Cheek

George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

During an interview conducted a number of years ago, Rudy's teammate, Joe Montana talked about Rudy's triumphant moment. According to the Hall of Famer, carrying Ruettiger off, "was kinda playin' around … I won’t say as a joke, but playing around."

Another teammate of Ruettiger was Bob Golic who became an actor after many years in the NFL. He joked that he too was carried off the field by his teammates, but only after he had hurt his ankle.

The Oscar-winning film The Blind Side documents the story of Michael Oher, who was just 16 years old when his life changed forever. While the film got many things right, it also got a few things wrong — and there's a major reason why Michael himself doesn’t like the movie. Read on to learn more behind-the-scenes secrets about The Blind Side and all the differences between the film and the real story.

The Blind Side Made $300 Million At The Box Office

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

The 2009 movie The Blind Side starred Quinton Aaron as Michael "Big Mike" Oher, a high school student at Briarcrest Christian School who was rescued from poverty and taken in by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and Sean Tuohy (Tim McGraw). Big Mike became a highly sought-after prospect in college football and wound up playing for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.

The film, based on the 2006 book, "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game" by Michael Lewis, was written and directed by John Lee Hancock. The movie made $300 million at the box office, and Bullock won an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for her role.

Physically, The Actors Weren't A Perfect Match

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

Sandra Bullock went blonde for the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy to make it more realistic. Her character's children, Sean "S.J." and Collins, were played by actors Jae Head and Lily Collins.

One of the criticisms was that Michael and S.J. looked quite different on the big screen than they did in real life. S.J., in particular, was portrayed as a very tiny child, but in photos shown at the end of the film, it’s obvious that S.J. wasn’t small at all. In fact, today he is six feet tall! Michael, while large in real life, is much more fit and muscular than the actor who portrayed him on the big screen.

Next: in real life, Michael had to meet this requirement in order to enroll in high school.

It Wasn't Quite As Simple For Michael To Enroll In High School

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

In the film, Michael had a very spotty academic career, but somehow the coach at Briarcrest used a religious angle to persuade his colleagues to allow the young man to enroll at the school.

The teachers were not impressed with Michael's initial performance and silent nature, but before long they realized that he wasn’t dumb and mute. In reality, coach Burt Cotton (played by Ray McKinnon) did convince administrators to accept Michael into the program; however, the principal decided that Michael would require several months of homeschooling before he could attend the high school.

Find out how Sean and Michael really met, on the next page.

Sean Didn't Notice Michael At A Volleyball Game

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

In the film, Sean Tuohy meets Michael for the first time following one of his daughter Collins' volleyball games. Sean notices Michael picking up people’s abandoned popcorn bags in the stands. Sean approaches the young man and introduces himself. It’s the last time they see each other until Thanksgiving.

But in real life, Sean heard about Michael through his daughter. That prompted Sean to go to Briarcrest where he created a lunch account for the young man to make sure he had something to eat every day. Michael’s welfare was a concern for the Tuohys from day one.

Leigh Anne Didn't Invite Michael To Stay At Their Home So Quickly

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

When the Tuohys saw Michael walking on the side of the road in the film, it was pouring rain and the young man was wandering around at night in shorts and a t-shirt. Leigh Anne was so disturbed by his circumstances that she immediately invited him home so he could spend the night.

In actuality, the Tuohys did meet Michael on the road during Thanksgiving break. However, it was morning and Leigh Anne did not persuade him to come to their house. Leigh Anne did drive to Briarcrest later that day and took the young man shopping for some clothing.

Next: the Tuohys weren't the first family Michael stayed with.

Michael Stayed With Several Families Before Choosing The Tuohys

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

Michael didn't elect to stay with the Tuohys until several months after he encountered them during Thanksgiving break. He lived with a mechanic named Tony Henderson (a.k.a. Big Tony) for a while. Michael also lived with at least five other families when his coaches found out he was homeless.

Sean Tuohy told 20/20: "He’d stay here once in a while and then he’d leave, and then he seemed more comfortable to stay." The real Michael said, “When I moved in with Leigh Anne and Sean, I felt loved, like part of a family. In the other houses, I didn’t feel like part of the family. I didn’t feel like they wanted me there.”

Michael Was Not Timid

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

In the film, Michael isn't very aggressive and is quite timid, and Leigh Anne had to inspire the young man to play harder by telling him his team was like his family, which he needed to protect.

But Michael already knew how to be aggressive. And S.J., who was eight years old when he met Michael, was not responsible for teaching him how to play the game. Michael told 20/20: "I’ve always had that fire and passion in me on the field. You can’t put aggression into a person. It’s impossible. Either you have that toughness and aggression or you don’t."

The Family Really Did Connect With Michael Almost Immediately

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

The movie makes it appear as though Michael easily joined the Tuohys in their family home without any complications. S.J. is thrilled to have a new brother, and Collins ignores what her classmates say about their new housemate. Sean and Leigh Anne simply give Michael a big hug, and adoption is inevitable.

In real life, the media reported that the Tuohys welcomed Michael with open arms and embraced him as one of the family. S.J. later referred to him as his best friend, and Collins later admitted the pair became close both in high school and at Ole Miss where they both went to college.

Collins Switched Classes To Help Michael With His Work

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

The real Collins later recalled: "My friends were very open to Michael. They were very sweet to him and we all got along really well." In fact, Collins offered, even more, support to Michael than is presented on the big screen. She was an honor student who rearranged her schedule to assist the young man.

She even transferred into several of his classes so they would have the same assignments and she could help him with homework. “That was the most studying I'd ever done in my life,” Collins told 20/20. She says being seen with Michael was never a problem at school.

So, why did Michael hate the movie so much? Read on to find out.

Michael Was Thrilled To Graduate From High School and Go To College

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

Michael told 20/20 that he was thrilled to graduate from high school: "It was unbelievable, just to walk across the stage and shake the president's hand. I was the first one out of anybody that I ever knew to graduate, so it was a great experience." He chose to attend Ole Miss because it was nearby the Tuohy’s home.

He later explained: “I figured it would be easier for my family, you know, my friends to get down to Oxford to come see me play.” Michael received more than 1,000 letters from recruiters to attend their schools.

Michael Did Write The "White Walls" Essay

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

In the film, a teacher reads an essay written by Michael. In actuality, Michael penned the essay during his senior year. Michael's wrote in part: "I look and I see white everywhere: white walls, white floors, and a lot of white people…. The teachers are not aware that I have no idea of anything they are talking about.

I do not want to listen to anyone, especially the teachers. They are giving homework and expecting me to do the problems on my own. I’ve never done homework in my life. I go to the bathroom, look in the mirror, and say, “This is not Mike Oher. I want to get out of this place."

Coming up: why Michael didn't like the film

The Film Negatively Impacted Michael's Career

Michael became an All-America left tackle, and in 2009 was a first-round draft pick by the Ravens. But the film affected how others view him. In 2015, Michael told ESPN: "I'm not trying to prove anything. People look at me, and they take things away from me because of a movie.

They don’t really see the skills and the kind of player I am. That’s why I get downgraded so much, because of something off the field. This stuff, calling me a bust, people saying if I can play or not … that has nothing to do with football. It’s something else off the field. That’s why I don’t like that movie."

Michael's Mother Was Indeed A Drug Addict

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

In the film, Michael's mother, Denise Oher, is depicted as being addicted to crack cocaine. The real-life Michael later revealed in an interview with 20/20: "She wasn’t really around too much. I took care of myself most of the time." Michael was one of 12 children raised in a housing project known as Hurt Village in a crime-infested area of North Memphis.

In 2013, Denise told WMC Action News 5: “That addiction is very hard to just stop. You have to work on it. You have to pray and you have to be committed to it and you have you want to change your life from that.”

Michael's Birth Father Really Passed Away

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

Just as it was revealed in the film, Michael's biological father was murdered. He was not around when Michael was growing up, so he really didn’t know much about his son. Michael’s father was shot and killed, and his body was thrown over an overpass in Memphis. Michael didn’t learn about his father’s death for three months, in part because it took a while to identify his body.

A man named Tony Henderson, who helped Michael get admitted to high school, informed the school that the man had died, according to the book "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game."

Michael Was A Better Football Player Than They Depicted On Film

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

During an interview with the Sioux City Journal, Leigh Anne said she was amazed at how quickly the book had been turned into a film. She explained: "It was a fast-track for a major motion picture.

And we didn't understand why there was all this fuss. People all over the country were doing far greater things than we were, but it happened. It was all so quirky and unprecedented, I don’t think it was an accident. It was God-driven." She added that the script was “fairly accurate for Hollywood. Michael was a better football player than they showed but the fact that they didn’t screw things up was a miracle.”

Michael's Coach Was Not So "Goofy"

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

In the film, Coach Cotton represented Hugh Freeze. Cotton played a bumbling character who needed help from Leigh Anne to motivate Michael. In reality, Freeze is very accomplished. He went from coaching high school football to leading the third-ranked college football program in the US.

He said: "I sure hope I'm not as goofy as this guy—that was my reaction. I don’t think I needed so much guidance in coaching, but at the end of the day, the movie is about a young man who receives a chance and a family who puts their faith into action. It changed a person’s trajectory in life."

Other Details Were Changed, But The Car Accident Was Exactly The Same

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

Several other minor things in the film were altered from real life. Collins Tuohy didn't play volleyball and was actually a champion pole vaulter. Collins was also in the same grade as Michael. As for the car accident, the crash happened on a different street. In the scene, Michael stops an airbag from hitting S.J., thus preventing serious injuries. Well, that actually happened.

Sean Tuohy later told NewsOK: "That’s 100 percent accurate. The car behind them was someone from the basketball team. Someone witnessed that. The overall theme and concept was dead on, more accurate than Hollywood usually does."

Michael Was Released From The Panthers Over Health Concerns

Michael played with the Baltimore Ravens for five years. He was with the Tennessee Titans before moving on to the Panthers. In July 2017, the veteran offensive tackle was released with a failed physical designation. His coach Ron Rivera said: "The most important thing is his health.

Our only concern is him getting healthy. Michael's health always came first. We were not going to force the issue. Michael understood and we expressed that to him." Michael struggled to recover from a concussion he received the previous season. Michael tweeted in July: “The Brain is a scary thing. You have to be careful with it.”

Leigh Anne Used Her Fame To Inform Others

In 2015, Leigh Anne explained how the film was still impacting her life. "We're five years removed from the movie and nothing has died down," she told the Sioux City Journal. She showed off her interior design skills on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and gave several speeches in the United States about topics including racism and adoption.

She noted: “It’s mind-boggling. We realize we do have a mission. We have the opportunity to change lives. If that sounds narcissistic, screw it. Racism is alive and well in this country; we have to learn how to love someone who doesn’t look like us.”

Oher Set The Record Straight With A Highly-Praised Autobiography

Michael Oher wasn't 100% pleased with the way the movie portrayed him and he set out to explain what really happened in his autobiography, "I Beat The Odds: From Homelessness To The Blindside." The book, which speaks directly to the NFL player’s personal struggles growing up, became a New York Times bestseller. Amazon reviewers have even given his work a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating.

The Washington Post heaped praise on the book, proclaiming, “With the release of his memoir…Oher finally takes ownership, filling the gaps in the familiar narrative and somehow managing to make his journey from the streets to stardom seem even more amazing and compelling…”

The Film Did Manage To Bring Some Real-Life People Into The Mix

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

"The Blind Side" may not have gotten every fact right but the movie's producers did manage to bring some real-life college coaches into the mix. The guys visiting Michael Oher in the hopes of landing him on their teams? Those were the real men who tried to woo the star football player to their programs.

The real-life coaches include former Notre Dame and South Carolina coach Lou Holtz, former LSU coach Nick Saban, former Arkansas and Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt, former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, and former-Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron. They were also good sports considering they all missed out to Orgeron and Ole Miss.

Leigh Anne Really Did Have To Defend Oher Against Her Friends

In the movie, Leigh Anne Touhy's (Sandra Bullock) friends start to ask her some very intrusive questions about Oher. In Michael Lewis’ book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, she explained what really occurred, "We knew people were going to have issues because we had a daughter exactly the same age." It turns out questions were raised all throughout town, including shops, restaurants and school events.

The rudest of people asked her how she handled Michael’s sexual urges as a teenage boy living under the same roof as her daughter. She eventually started handing out a single piece of advice to people who confronted her: “You just need to mind your own business. You worry about your own life and I’ll worry about mine.”

Sandra Bullock Became Friends With The Family And Oher

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

While Oher may not have loved the way "The Blind Side" portrayed his very personal story, he doesn't hold any hard feelings towards the actors who were just playing their parts. In fact, Sandra Bullock reportedly became friends with both Oher and the Tuohy family.

When given the chance, the actress has even attended Michael’s games and shares that time with the Tuohy family. Bullock won an Oscar for her role, and apparently, it touched her in a special way that allowed for lifetime friendships to be formed after the movie debuted. In February 2013, when the Baltimore Ravens made the Super Bowl, Bullock was there to cheer on Michael and his team.

Gang Members Never Taunted Leigh Anne Touhy

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

In one of the movie's most memorable scenes, Micahel Oher tells Mrs. Touhy to stay in the car when he runs an errand in Hurt Village, the ghetto where he grew up. As she waits for him to arrive, gang members taunt her for being in their less than desired neighborhood. In reality, she was never approached in that manner.

Alton, the main gang leader, however, is a loose depiction of Delvin Lane, a real leader of the local criminals. In reality, Michael’s best friend is Craig Vail, the one person Oher could always trust in the neighborhood and who never asked for anything.

Michael Really Did Inspire Family Dinner Time

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

In "The Blind Side," Michael Oher convinces his new family to sit with him at the dinner table. In real life, it happened on a regular basis because of his requests to eat together. Sean Tuohy joked in a 20/20 interview: “He made us sit around the dinner table. If we were going to spend time with him, we'd come eat at the table. We haven’t eaten at the table since he left.”

While Hollywood has a tendency to pour on the emotional impact, it turns out Oher really was just a guy who finally found the family he always wanted and he chose to celebrate that fact with his new family whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Michael Really Was Adopted

When Michael first started sleeping at the Touhy's household there were moments when he would retreat to his old neighborhood. As we previously noted, he eventually gave his full trust to the family and started staying permanently at their home. Eventually, Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy adopted Oher, officially making him part of the family.

When appearing on "The Today Show," Leigh Anne perfectly summed up the relationship she developed with her adopted son. “I love Michael Oher as much as I love my two biological children. There’s no difference in them.” While the movie got some stuff wrong, the love they shared as a group was dead on.

Oher Really Was Featured In The Family's Christmas Card, And It Confused People

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

In "The Blind Side," Michael stands with his new family as they take a photo for their annual Christmas card. It turns out he really was part of that experience, although it only featured the family's kids and not the adults. Leigh Anne later revealed that her cousin actually called her to ask her about the photo.

“He said, 'I’m not trying to be rude or anything. Who’s the black boy in the Christmas card?'” It might not have been the most direct way to tell their family and friends about their new family member but it’s definitely a memorable approach.

The Touhys Really Do Own Dozens Of Taco Bell Restaurants And Other Chains!

In the movie, Michael Oher quickly learns that he has access to eat at dozens of Taco Bell franchises owned by Sean Touhy. In real life, Touhy really is one of three partners who own and operate RGT Management. His company operates more than 80 Taco Bell's, Long John Silver’s, KeFried Friend Chicken, and Off The Grill locations.

His business ventures are spread throughout Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio, and Missouri. The movie, which debuted in 2010, didn’t touch on his other job as a sports commentator for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and a broadcast analyst for radio programs at Ole Miss.

The Movie Ignored The Fact That Oher Was A Basketball Star

Scott Boehm/Getty Images

When you spend millions of dollars advertising a coming of age football story there's good reason to ignore anything having to do with other pursuits of the main character. In real life, Michael Oher wasn’t 100% focused only on football. Oher was a star basketball player and runner-up for high school player of the year in Tennessee.

He may have been portrayed as a quiet and timid young man in the movie but in reality, he was a star athlete who outshone his fellow teammates. Michael chose to pursue football at Ole Miss but many doors would have opened up for him if he had decided on basketball, instead.

S.J. Really Did "Work Over" The College Recruiters

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

The movie's most hilarious scenes occur when a young S.J. Touhy asked a college recruiter, "what’s in it for me." When asked about that famous scene S.J. joked, “I don’t know if it’s quite like that… I think Jay [John Lee Hancock] might have pulled me off better than I pull myself off.”

S.J.’s parents interjected, “He worked those coaches pretty hard.” S.J. might not have walked away with any scholarships of his own but he did get a private tour through The Grove (a popular campus tailgating spot) from Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron. Apparently, his own negotiating skills were not as tough as his movie character.

His High School Tutor Really Did Follow Him To College

Warner Bros./The Blind Side

At the very end of "The Blind Side," Michael's tutor, Miss Sue (Kathy Bates), is shown on his college campus making a comment about moving her things into an apartment nearby. In real life, Sue Mitchell continued to work with Michael Oher, ensuring that his accelerated education would continue.

Oher was a D and F student when he started attending Briarcrest but finished his high school year with A’s and B’s. He still had some catching up to accomplish when he enrolled at Ole Miss and his new adopted parents had the means to help him succeed off the field.

Oher Is An Extrovert With A "Wicked" Sense Of Humor

We've talked about how Michael Oher wasn’t really timid on the high school football field when he was getting his start but what about off the field? His teammates have praised Oher for his fun-loving nature and his love of life.

Many of his fellow athletes have told reporters that he is a really funny guy who can hold a conversation without any signs of being shy. In his own New York Times best-selling autobiography, his humor makes a few enjoyable appearances, proving that he’s not just the lovable oaf that is portrayed throughout "The Blind Side." Apparently, a clueless teen from a poor black area was an easier sell for the movie’s producers.

Oher's Grades Were A Bigger Controversy Than The Movie Explained

Toward the end of The Blind Side it's revealed that Micheel Oher needed a 2.5 GPA (grade point average) to get into an NCAA Division I school. Leigh Anne announces that he has achieved a 2.52 GPA while attending his high school graduation ceremony.

In reality, Oher needed a 2.65 GPA and he only received those marks after attending a BYU program. The controversial program allowed him to take a bunch of 10-day courses with very simple tests which then replaced D’s and F’s from his freshman through junior years with A’s. The NCAA investigated the grade swapping practice but ultimately didn’t find any wrongdoing on Oher’s part.

Oher Wasn't A "Dumb" Kid Or Teenager

Michael Oher may have been failing out of high school before he met the Touhy's but it had nothing to do with his level of intelligence. In his autobiography, Oher says the movie, "… portrayed me as dumb instead of as a kid who had never had consistent academic instruction and ended up thriving once he got it." He’s not sure why the film’s director felt the need to use very basic visuals when explaining football to his character, such as a ketchup bottle for player positions on the field.

In reality, Oher was a student of football’s intricacies since he was very young. Oher did graduate from college before joining the NFL, providing he was able to rise above his early educational challenges and in a very short period of time. That doesn’t sound like a “dumb” kid to us.

Leigh Anne Really Did Fake Michael's Baby Photo

In real life, Leigh Anne Tuohy wanted to show a baby photo from Michael Oher's past during his high school graduation ceremony. His drug-addicted mom didn’t have any photos to share so she faked it. Leigh Anne took to the internet where she searched for photos of black babies.

She eventually found a photo she thought looked adorable and passed it off as belonging to Michael’s past. The picture appeared in the senior program at graduation but it was not blown up on the stage as we witnessed in the movie. We’re going to consider those graduation programs a collector’s item at this point.