Friday Night

Well, it's Friday night!

I am extremely tired. My sister bought my dad a good book. When he was done with it he said I had to read it. He said it was very interesting. Very interesting was an understatement. I read the whole book (340 pages) within 24 hours. The problem is that I was up until 3:00 AM last night to do it.

The book is called The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. The books author is Michael Lewis. The book is the story of Michael Oher. Michael Oher is a left tackle who was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of this years draft. He was the best offensive lineman anyone had seen when he was in high school and college. Many people believe he will be the best offensive lineman to EVER play in the NFL.

The book doesn't just focus on Michael Oher's life (it is the central theme of the book) but also on how the passing game evolved into what it is today and how important the left tackle position is to the passing game. Statistically the highest paid player on a football team is the quarterback. The second highest player is the left tackle (because the left tackle protects the quarterback's blind side and therefore can be the difference in keeping a star quarterback playing or injured and out for the season). Naturally, the second highest paid guy is the guy who is the most responsible for protecting the highest paid guy. Believe it or not on some teams the left tackle makes even more money the quarterback.

So, with the importance of the left tackle position it is truly amazing to have the possible best guy ever to play the left tackle position entering the NFL right now. What is even more amazing is the rags to riches story that is the life of Michael Oher. I don't want to ruin the book, but he overcame amazing odds to even have a chance to play on a high school team to be recognized by college football scouts. When he overcame all odds and made it to high school, he performed another miracle and was able to become academically eligible to play in the NCAA. No small feat seeing as how his GPA halfway through the 10th grade was a 0.6. And let me tell you the high school he attended didn't just give him A's because of his athletic and physical blessings. He went to a private Christian school where you had to earn your grades. It also tells the story of the amazing family who took pity on this poor black kid from one of the poorest zip codes in the U.S. who was going nowhere and created an environment and system in which he could succeed.

Anyway, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game is an amazing story. It makes you feel good about yourself and other people. It reminds you that there are good people trying to do right by other people. It reminds you that an economically disadvantaged kid can succeed in a positive and healthy environment of love, academic support, and stability.

As no one has seen Michael Oher play a NFL game (as he was just drafted) he may or may not amount to anything. However, his past record has surpassed any one's wildest dreams and the good bet is that Michael Oher does turn into the best lineman to have ever played the game at any level. It will be fun to watch the Baltimore Ravens and big old number 74 this year.

I don't know if you are into the NFL and football or not. If you are keep an eye open. If you don't read the book. When you fall in love with this story as I did, it might be worth watching a game or two of the Baltimore Ravens to see what happens.

Have a good weekend!