Week One: The Back Story (Summary)

Summary:
      The Blind Side begins with a second by second replay of an old football game between the New York Giants and the Washington Red Skins. Joe Theismann and Lawrence Taylor are being compared for their football skills and positions. The author talks about the importance of a left tackle and how they need to be big and strong , tall and thick, trustworthy and reliable, and that he has the most important job of all; protecting the quarterback. The second chapter is about Tom Lemming, a football scout, and how each player is ranked for college. Michael Oher is first introduced in this chapter when he meets with Tom. Tom asks Michael questions about what he wants to do in the future and asked him to fill out a form. Michael just sits there and stares at the ground, without speaking a word or filling out the form. Tom was shocked at Michael's behavior and didn't know what to do, so he decided to leave Michael alone, but not to hold a grudge. The third chapter is about Big Tony trying to get his son, Steven, and a kid from the neighborhood, Big Mike(Michael Oher), enrolled in Briarcrest Christian Academy. Big Tony had promised his dying mother that he would get his son out of the Hurt Village public school system, and get him a proper Christian education. Big Tony takes both Steven and Big Mike to Briarcrest where they meet with the basketball and football coaches. They review Steven and Big Mike's transcripts where they notice Big Mike had missed almost everyday of school and has an IQ of 80, making him an unfit student for Briarcrest. The principal, Mr. Simpson, makes an exception and enrolls Big Mike in Briarcrest, informing him that he cannot play sports until his grades improve.