Michael Jerome Oher is a former American football offensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL). Oher has a big family; he was born into a family with 12 children but was later adopted by another family.
Michael’s life took a U-turn after the Touhy family adopted him, and it hadn’t been for the Touhy family, we would not have witnessed the greatness of this athlete.
In the 2009 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens drafted Oher as the 23rd pick overall in the first round. He later played for Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers before retiring from the sport.
Despite stressful childhood Michael Oher, one of the most successful retired athletes in the history of the NFL, was able to rank second in the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award poll.
The character behind the famous novel “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game,” Michael Oher, retired from professional football in 2017 after failing a physical.
Oher is currently active in the foundation Beat the Odds, Inc and is estimated to have a net worth of around $20 Million as of 2024.
In this article, we are going through his story of becoming the most influential and motivating football player in a short period.
We will cover his family, siblings, career, and documentary, so stay till the end. But first, let’s warm up with some quick facts;
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Michael Jerome Oher |
| Known As | Michel Oher |
| Birth Date | May 28, 1986 |
| Birth Place | Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| Nick Name | Big Mike |
| Religion | Not Known |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Education | University of Mississippi |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Biological Father | Michael Jerome Williams |
| Biological Mother | Denise Oher |
| Adoptive Father | Sean Tuohy |
| Adoptive Mother | Leigh Anne Tuohy |
| Biological Siblings | 11 |
| Adoptive Siblings | 2 (Collins Tuohy and Sean Tuohy Jr.) |
| Age | 38 Years Old |
| Height | 6’4″/1.93 m/193 cm |
| Weight | 143 kg/315 lb. |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Wife | Tiffany Roy |
| Net Worth | $20 million |
| Profession | Former American Football Player |
| Position | Offensive lineman, Tackle |
| Teams | Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers |
| Philanthropy | Making it Happen Foundation |
| Book | The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game
I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness to The Blind Side and Beyond (Autobiography) |
| Movie | The Blind Side |
| Merch | Football Cards, Posters |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter, Facebook |
| Last Update | October 2024 |
Early Life, Family & Education
Michael was born to Michael Jerome Williams and Denise Oher in Memphis, Tennessee. He was one of the 12 children of Denise Oher.
He never received proper care and guidance as a child since his mother was addicted to alcohol and crack cocaine, whereas his father spent most of his life in prison.
Michael’s father was murdered while in prison, then thrown off an overpass west of Memphis. It happened while Michael was still in high school, and he learned about his father’s death only after 3 months.
At the age of seven, Michael was sent to foster care. He attended Briarcrest Christian School and joined the school football team in 2003.
According to some sources, Michael was not immediately let into Briarcrest and was told to participate in home school to improve their grades.
However, Tony Henderson (aka Big Tony) helped him to get into this high school and was included in the high school football team.
During high school, Michael was named Division II Lineman of the Year and First-team Tennessee All-State team.
Scout.com also rated Oher a five-star recruit and the No.5 offensive lineman prospect in the country. In 2005, he participated in U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Before Briarcrest, Michael changed 11 schools in 9 years and was often found skipping classes.
After High School
Oher decided to play for the University of Mississippi under Ed Orgeron, despite receiving scholarship offers from Tennessee, LSU, Alabama, Auburn, and South Carolina.
Oher started playing with Ole Miss Rebels as an offensive guard in ten games and became a first-team freshman All-American.
After shifting to the left tackle position for the 2006 season, he was named to various preseason All-Conference and All-American teams.
This led him to be named ‘Division II (2A) Lineman of the Year and ‘First Team Tennessee All-State.’
Oher declared for the 2008 NFL Draft. However, he withdrew from the draft and returned for his senior season with Ole Miss.
He graduated with a degree in criminal justice in 2009 and for his final season with the team, he was named unanimous first-team All-American.
Michael Oher’s Adoptive Family
Collins Tuohy was together in one of the classes with Michael Oher. She told her father, Sean Tuohy, about a big quiet new guy in her class.
Sean met Michael for the first time at the stands of the Briarcrest gym.
Michael lived in various foster homes because there was no one to take care of him and his siblings.
But Michael’s turning point came when the Tuohy family adopted him.
In their family of four; Sean, Leigh Anne, and two children, Collins and Sean Jr., Michael Oher became the fifth member.
Leigh Anne Tuohy is an American businesswoman and interior designer, whereas Sean Tuohy is an American sports commentator and owns more than 80 restaurants.
Michael Oher’s Siblings
As mentioned earlier, Michael is one of the twelve children of Michael Jerome Williams and Denise Oher. However, he has two more siblings from his adoptive parents’ side.
Adoptive Siblings
Collins Tuohy, born on December 29, 1986, is Michael’s adoptive sister. Besides Michael, Collins also has one brother, Sean Tuohy Jr.
Collins Tuohy is the co-owner and director of marketing and sales for the Whimsy Cookie Company. In 2016, she launched Collins Closets-a lifestyle, fashion, and travel blog.
Besides that, Collins is happily married to her long-time boyfriend, Canon Smith. Canon is a former college quarterback and son of FedEx founder and CEO Fred Smith.
Sean Tuohy Jr., born on July 4, 1993, is the adoptive brother of Michael Oher. He is more famous for how he was portrayed in the acclaimed movie “The Blind Side.”
Furthermore, he has played basketball as a shooting guard for Loyola Greyhounds and works as an Associate Athletics Director and Chief of Staffs for the UCF Knights football.
Biological Siblings
Michael’s biological siblings are namely:
| Name | Information |
| Denise Oher | Denise is the only blood sister of Michael. She was named after her mother and worked at FedEx. |
| Carlos Oher | Carlos, Michael’s half-brother, is a former football offensive tackle who played in the NFL. |
| Marcus Watkins | Marcus is the half-brother of Michael Oher. Marcus is very close to Michael and works in the cleaning business. |
| Juan Antonio “Deljuan” Oher | Deljuan died in a car accident at 24 on September 16, 2007. He was also known as Mann |
| John Oher | Nothing much is known about John. He is said to be living in Memphis, Tennessee. |
| Rico Oher | Rico is a half-brother of Michael and is currently living in Memphis with his wife and kids. |
| Andre Oher | He is also a half-brother of Michael. |
| Tara Oher | Tara is a half-sister of Michael. |
Professional Career
Michael was selected in the 2009 NFL Draft by ‘Baltimore Ravens,’ and was signed on a 5-year deal worth $13.8 million.
At the beginning of the season, he started as a right tackle but was moved to left tackle after the lineman Jared Gaither suffered an injury. He later returned to right tackle in week 8.
After playing every game in the 2009-10 season, Oher appeared for his first post-season game and did not allow a single sack in a 33-14 win against the New England Patriots on January 10, 2010.
Similarly, in February 2013, Michael won his first Super Bowl Ring after the Ravens won 34-31 against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
With the end of a 5-year contract with the Ravens, Oher joined Tennessee Titans on a 4-year/$20 million deal.
The former fight tackle started 11 games before suffering a toe injury and later was released by the Titans on February 5, 2015.
Oher signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. He started as the left tackle and also featured for the Panthers in Super Bowl L, where they fell to the Denver Broncos by a score of 24-10.
The former offensive tackle signed a contract extension for another three years on June 17, 2016.
After suffering from a concussion, Oher was placed on injured reserve and was later released after a failed physical on July 20, 2017.
Michael Oher’s Number
Michael has played with different jersey numbers.
| Number | Team | Position |
| 74 | Baltimore Ravens | Offensive Tackle |
| 73 | Carolina Panthers | Offensive Tackle |
| 72 | Tennessee Titans | Offensive Tackle |
Michael Oher’s Retirement
Michael Oher announced his retirement from football in 2017.
The NFL veteran failed his physical for the 2017 season and was eventually released by Carolina Panthers.
Injuries one after another led to the unfortunate retirement of Michael Oher. And his story shows what NFL players go through on the field.
What Is Michael Oher Doing Now?
Since his retirement, Oher has been engaged in ‘Beat the Odds, Inc.,’ which is dedicated to helping kids from hard places achieve their dreams.
Oher was also working with the “Making it Happen Foundation,” run by the Touhy family, which helps youths in education and creates opportunities for underprivileged kids since 2009.
The foundation touches lives by supporting low-income schools, assisting students’ journey to college, and helping and encouraging foster moms.
Michael Oher was himself one of those children who required assistance and was blessed to have been adopted and cherished by a loving family.
After completing his purpose on the field, Oher has dedicated his life to helping people going through a similar situation that he had been in before he was sheltered by the Touhy family.
Age, Height & Physical Appearance
Michael was born in the year 1986 under the sun sign Gemini, which makes him 38 years old as of 2024.
And people with the Gemini sun signs are known to be emotionally strong and kind.
Oher stands tall at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and weighs about 143 kg (315 pounds).
The American native belongs to the Afro-American ethnicity.
Who Is Michael Dating? Does Michael Oher have children?
Being one of the most prominent and celebrated personalities in the NFL world, fans are always curious about who Michael is dating or if he is married.
Michael is one of those players who loves to keep his personal life private. What’s known about the former NFL player is that he is a married man and has four children.
Oher tied the knot on November 5, 2022, with his long-time girlfriend, Tiffany Roy. His relationship with Roy was made public in 2017 after a fight with an Uber driver.
The Uber driver sued Michael claiming an assault by Michael.
Moreover, Michael is living a happy life with his wife and reportedly is a father of four children; Two sons (Kobi and MJ) and two daughters (Kierstin and Kaivi).
The couple runs ‘Beat The Odds Inc,’ a non-profit organization; Michael is the president, and Tiffany is the vice president. Tiffany runs an online boutique store called ‘The Feminish Collection.’
Michael Oher’s Book & Movie
Michael Lewis translated Michael Oher’s life into the book ‘The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.’
This book features the life of Michael from his high school journey. Later, the book was showcased in a beautiful movie directed by John Lee Hancock. The film was released on November 20, 2009.
The movie shows Michael’s upbringing, early school days, and what kind of love and affection he received in the Tuohy Family.
Moreover, the film grossed around $300 million and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
Moreover, in 2011, Michael published his autobiography, ‘I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness to The Blind Side and Beyond.’
Awards & Achievement
Throughout his career, Michael has received many awards and was honored for his excellence in football.
Let’s look at some of the prestigious awards and achievements of Michael Oher.
- First Team Freshman All-American, First Team All-Quad Freshman Chrome [AQFC], First Team SEC All-Freshman – 2005
- Second Team All-SEC – 2006
- First Team All-SEC – 2007
- First Team All-American and First Team All-SEC – 2008.
- Outland Trophy finalist, Conerly Trophy finalist, Lombardi Award semifinalist, SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy – 2008
Michael Oher’s Net Worth
The former American football offensive tackle, Michael Oher, has a net worth of $20 million as of 2024.
He has signed four big contracts worth millions of dollars for three teams in the NFL.
Oher signed his rookie contract with the Ravens worth $13.8 million and later a four-year/$20 million contract with the Titans.
After a year with the Titans, the Panthers signed the former offensive tackle on a 2-year deal worth $7 million. Further, Oher inked a three-year contract extension worth $21.6 million, guaranteeing him $9.5 million.
His career earnings totaled $34.5 million from his salary.
Social Media Presence
After his retirement from football, Oher is heavily invested in philanthropy works and uses his social media to promote his philanthropic works.
He is available on Instagram under the handle @michaeloher, Twitter @MichaelOher, and Facebook @Michael Oher.
Instagram: 323k followers
Twitter: 223.1k followers
Facebook: 730k followers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Michael Oher's biological mother alive?
Michael Oher“s biological mother, Denise Oher, is fine and living in a new home. She currently lives in South Memphis. Moreover, Denise has been into alcoholism and drug addiction most of her adulthood, and she acknowledges that her mal habits wrecked the Oher family. Nonetheless, Denise is slowly and steadily turning her life around. However, Denise has complained that she barely gets to hear from Michael. The mother-son duo is not on the most amicable terms.
How did Leigh Tuohy meet Michael Oher?
Leigh Tuohy and her husband, Sean Tuohy, were driving on a cold night. The couple spotted a young boy walking in minimal clothes, which could barely keep him warm. The boy was just wearing a T-shirt and shorts in the cold. Leigh could not resist and asked her husband to turn the vehicle around toward the young boy, Michael Oher. Henceforth, Michael became the fifth member and third child of the Tuohy family.
Which team is Michael Oher on?
Michael Oher retired from professional football in 2017. However, he played for Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, and Carolina Panthers.
Where is the Tuohy family now?
The Tuohy family now lives in Memphis, Tennessee. Leigh Anne has published 3 books, and the couple owns 11 fast-food franchises. Collins Tuohy is working as a speaker and a fashion, lifestyle, and travel blogger. She is involved in Whimsy Cookie Company, which sells custom-made cookies. Sean Tuohy Jr. is now working as an Associate Athletics Director at the University of Central Florida.
Was “The Blind Side” accurate?
“Some things in (the movie) are the truth, some things are not. People have got to do things to sell it. But everything is good, though.” -Michael Oher (The Baltimore Sun, November 16, 2009) Most of the story in the movie, 'The Blind Side,' seems to be accurate. Few things like, Michael was let into the high school immediately which seems to be false.
How much is the Tuohy Family worth?
Sean Tuohy is worth $25 million, and Leigh Anne Tuohy has a net worth of $50 million. The Tuohy family's net worth is around $75 million, per sources.
Wow – so poorly written! Does not do justice to this man’s life and career. SMH.
Why must people always look and find flaws. What i took away from this story is that the family who helped him were awesome. And that he too was a good man for he accepted thier help. It takes two to tango as they say. And Michael’s kind good nature worked well with this family. I would love to foster children and help them be safe and loved I just don’t know how to do it. So i try and help people i meet. Finally something good. Im tired of all the bad news and stories this story always gives me hope in humanity again.
Amy, as I first started reading this article by Basha, I thought the same thing, but as I continued, it seemed like the writer is young and most likely English is a second language. Then I clicked on Bashas’s byline and realized that seems to be true.
April, very good points.
Although poorly written, it does a good job of reporting the facts. I pray Michael finds a nice woman to settle down with and have a family.
I know what Michael went through as a kid. I wish someone had adopted me, but I was fortunate that after spending about 18 months on the road (14-15 1/2 years old), I was finally placed in an orphanage in Texas. I lived in Kansas but after my younger 6 siblings were adopted, I took off to see what was “out there”. The Home was a blessing in that I finished high school, finished college with 3 majors, garnered an MBA later. I certainly never made the money that Michael did, but I think my life counts as an example that no matter how you start, if you work hard enough and long enough, you will eventually succeed. I am now retired with my wife of 54 years, have 2 great daughters who come visit as often as they can. I struggled until I graduated from college, and I got married 3 years later, and that really turned my life to the better. My two daughters just added to my blessings. God is great, looked after me all those years when I had no idea where I was headed, etc, but He had a plan that was slowly unveiled over the years!! But I’m happy for Michael and am glad he is now helping others… and the Tuohy family is such a great example of sharing their gifts.