Michael Oher's "Impossibly Happy Ending"—How One Person with God's Love Can Change a Life

"Everyone has a blind side, but a loving heart always sees a path toward true charity." –Leigh Ann Tuohy

Most of us have seen the award-winning, inspirational movie "The Blind Side," which tells the real-life story of how the Tuohy family took in and eventually adopted Michael Oher, giving him a living and educational opportunity he likely would never have otherwise had.

On February 3rd, an amazing chapter (ABC News Host Diane Sawyer called it an "impossibly happy ending") was added to Michael's tale—winning the Super Bowl. (Photo: ABC News) 

Wearing number 74 on his Jersey, Michael was an integral part of the Baltimore Ravens' offensive line, as the team worked toward that coveted February finish of the NFL season.

But what strikes me the most about Michael's testimony is that it began with one person's heart to look beyond the comforts of her own life, to someone who had none.

What if Leigh Ann Tuohy and her family had kept driving that day, right past Michael instead of making room for him in their car—and in their lives?

Of that moment Leigh Ann says, "It was nothing and everything. It was just one of those things that you should do."

What a difference one person with a heart of love can make!

Sometimes you get to see that difference (like when the one to whom you've given opportunity brings home a Super Bowl ring); sometimes you just hope and trust that you have made one. (Photo: Tuohy family) 

If we are honest with ourselves, we can probably remember a time when we've felt prompted to step out in faith, and give a little of the love and compassion we've known to someone else in some way—maybe to someone we don't even know.

Those can be priceless moments or missed opportunities—it's up to us.

The Lord may move on our hearts but—with the exception of Phillip's "Holy Spirit ride" in the Book of Acts—it's not very often that He will also move our feet—we've got to step out in willingness.

Because of their experience in reaching out to Michael Oher, the Tuohy Family have created the "Tuohy Family Foundation: Making It Happen." It exists to: "live and share our commitment to faith, family, and others, while opening doors to promote awareness, provide hope, and improve the standard of living and quality of life for all the children fighting to survive in the invisible cracks of our society."

It all began with one moment's decision to stop and make a difference to someone else.

As Leigh Ann says, "Everyone has a blind side, but a loving heart always sees a path toward true charity."

Super Bowl Faith: a Glance at Two of the Believers Involved in This Year's Game

"God has brought me this far, He's laid out a phenomenal path for me and I can't do anything but thank Him." –Colin Kaepernick

This Sunday the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers will wrangle on the grid iron in Super Bowl XLVII.

The faith of a few members of the NFL has been increasingly highlighted in recent years, and it is certainly not lost on some of this year's players.

In fact, forget the eye-black-with-Scripture so significant when worn by Tim Tebow in his time as a Gator; 25-year-old Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers has plenty of it—in the form of tattoos on his arms.

Perhaps literally guilty of "wearing his heart on his sleeve" (pun intended), Kaepernick seems to back up the tatt depictions of his Christianity with a personal devotion to the God he follows.

"My faith is the basis from where my game comes from," Colin explained in a Daily Sparks Tribune interview last year. "I've been very blessed to have the talent to play the game that I do and be successful at it. I think God guides me through every day and helps me take the right steps and has helped me to get to where I'm at. When I step on the field, I always say a prayer, say I am thankful to be able to wake up that morning and go out there and try to glorify the Lord with what I do on the field. I think if you go out and try to do that, no matter what you do on the field, you can be happy about what you did."

Regarding his tattoos, Kaepernick told Reuters, "I don't really care what people think about my tattoos. I got them for me and to show people this is what I believe in. God has brought me this far, He's laid out a phenomenal path for me and I can't do anything but thank Him."

On the young quarterback's right bicep the word "Faith" is inscribed, and "to God the glory" and a scroll with Psalm 18:39 elsewhere on the same arm.

On the other side of the field there is equal passion for the Lord, probably most prominently displayed by the Ravens' defensive leader and linebacker, Ray Lewis.

"I just know that when you put your trust in God, that anything is possible," Lewis told a CSN reporter about making it to this year's Super Bowl contest. Earlier this year, after returning from an injury, Lewis announced that he would be retiring at season's end.

Lewis' fiery on-field persona is balanced by a strong faith in the Lord, one that has helped lead the Ravens through the season, as Lewis reads and preaches from the Bible in the locker room, prior to games.

While Lewis' faith has risen out of troubling circumstances and a very different scenario than that of, say, Tim Tebow—Ray is just as passionate, and has had a huge impact on his teammates, especially this year.
Orlando Magic vice president Pat Williams described Lewis' faith this way, "He's come from a totally different background than someone like Tim Tebow. He has come to Christ later in life but isn't that true of so many? The Bible teaches us that not only are our sins forgiven but they are forgotten."

What does Lewis say?

"Don't look at my yesterday, look at my tomorrow," explained Ray in a Fellowship of Christian Athletes interview. "I've said it before, God never changes. The relationship was there all along."

In Defeat, Glory to God Shines Brighter in Tebow

"It still was a good day, because before the game I got to spend time with Zack McLeod and make him smile..." -Tim Tebow

Heading into Saturday, the media-driven hype surrounding Denver Broncos starting quarterback Tim Tebow had reached an all-time crescendo involving various forms of the web, print and TV.

So when the win-or-go-home playoff match finally took place Saturday night—a heady beatdown by the New England Patriots that culminated in a fairly humiliating loss for Denver—the disappointment (seemingly even by those who expected them to lose) mixed with "I-told-you-so" comments was palpable.

There are plenty of blogs proliferating the internet that have analyzed every physical, football-related aspect of that playoff game this past weekend; to the point where one more is quite unnecessary.

What I wanted to know about is character.

Much had been said about Tim Tebow's exemplary attributes prior to Saturday's loss. And, knowing that true character is forged and displayed in adversity much more than in times of victory and success, I wondered what the reaction from Tim would be after such a defeat. Would he still give God the glory?

From what I can tell after scouring the internet, this young man—though quite obviously discomfited—seemed to remain solid in fiber and faith. (Tebow prays along with some of the Patriots/Al Bello/Getty Images)

"They had a great scheme," said Tebow about the Patriots in the after-game press conference. "They came out and they played well and they executed well. You've got to give them a lot of credit. I just want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and thank my teammates for the effort they put forth not only tonight but the entire season. I also want to thank the Broncos fans for all their support this season and it definitely meant a lot."

When asked about all the media hype, Tim talked about the value he placed on the camaraderie of his fellow players, "I haven't worried too much about [the media]," he told reporters. "I think the cool part is the relationship with my teammates. The run was a lot of fun. A lot of ups and downs but we really try to block everything in the outside off and just enjoy the relationships with teammates and coaches, and work and try to get better, and I feel like we did that all year. We just didn't put forth a good enough performance tonight. You've got to give them a lot of credit, that's a really good team."

Then Tim was asked about how the loss affected him. He talked about Zack McLeod the 20-year-old Cambridge native who suffered a traumatic brain injury playing football, whom Tim spent time with before the game. "It still was a good day," explained Tebow, "because before the game I got to spend time with Zack McLeod and make him smile. Overall when you get to do that it's still a positive day and a good day. Sometimes it's just hard to see but it depends what lens you're looking through. I choose to look through those lenses and I got to make a kid's day and anytime you do that it's more important than winning a game, so I'm proud of that."

In sports or business or whatever it is we work at and try to accomplish on a daily basis... When all is said and done, and we stand before the Lord someday, it will not be the yards passing or rushing, or the money we've brought in for our company, or how many albums we've sold that the King of the Universe will ask about.

It will be the love we've shown to another individual; did we touch someone else's life for Him—that matters.

As journalist, Vaden Chandler pointed out in a recent article, "It's important to remember that, at the end of the day, although millions of dollars and many jobs are at stake, the game of NFL football is still just that, a game.

It's not a matter of life and death, and I for one am thankful that the Broncos have a QB at the helm that besides being a fierce competitor, also understands that concept and will use his position to help others.

It reminds [me] of one other popular and well-known Orator, who admonished His hearers this way: 'For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his own soul?' (Mark 8:36)"

It's evident to me that even at Tim Tebow's young age, he has these priorities straight.

And, perhaps more so because of this loss to the Patriots; his commitment to the Lord of life, and to touching another individual with the love of God, will shine even brighter.

A Young Man’s Remarkable Grace in the Face of Bitter Disappointment

The much anticipated BCS Championship Game last Thursday night held a few surprises, and one big heartbreak for the Texas Longhorns and their highly-rated quarterback Colt McCoy.

An SI article worth reading, by Andy Staples, notes how close McCoy has come to obtaining both conference and national titles—including the Heisman—in his career, but that somehow each time they remained just out of reach.

This past year—2009—was McCoy’s final year at the University of Texas and his final season with the Longhorns. He led them to a perfect regular season record; 12-0. The 2010 BCS Championship game on January 7, 2010 was the talented quarterback’s final opportunity to shine at the college level.

But, once again it was not to be.

During the Longhorns’ very first drive of the game, in the red zone, Colt McCoy was “blasted” by Alabama linebacker Marcell Dareus, forcing him back into center Chris Hall. It knocked McCoy out of the game with a pinched nerve in his shoulder.

After being x-rayed and examined, he returned to the field to encourage his teammates and especially his replacement, back up quarterback Garrett Gilbert—a freshman.

Despite a valiant effort by Gilbert, the Texas Longhorns were defeated by the Alabama Crimson Tide 37-21.

And while the Alabama victory was certainly earned and deserved, there was another victory of sorts that night.

In light of all that had happened to him in his college quarterback career, Colt McCoy chose not to give into despair.

Staples writes: “Given multiple chances to feel sorry for himself, McCoy didn't take the bait. ‘It would be so easy to question why,’ he said. But he never did.”

In fact, McCoy explained what it was (or Who it was) that enabled him to deal with this disappointment in what began as the biggest game of his young life thus far.

"I worked and played my whole career to be on this stage, to be given this opportunity," Colt told reporters. "I know what it would have been like had I played that game. To know that is tough. But at the same time, I am a man of faith. I stand on the Rock. I'll never question God for why things happen the way they do… There's bigger and better football days to come."

That’s grace, and that’s trusting the Lord for the bigger picture.

It’s a good reminder to each of us that true strength and character isn’t measured by victories, but by how you get up and press on after defeat and disappointment.