The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game

For other uses, see The Blind Side (disambiguation).

The Blind Side
Evolution of a Game

Author	Michael Lewis
Country	United States
Language	English
Subject	American Football
Genre	Non-fiction
Publisher	W. W. Norton & Company
Publication date	September 2, 2006
Pages	352
ISBN	0-393-06123-X

The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game is a book by Michael Lewis released on September 2, 2006 by W. W. Norton & Company. It focuses on American football.^[1][2]

Contents

The book is an examination of how offensive football strategy has evolved over the past three decades in two key ways: the development of the West Coast offense by Bill Walsh first at the Cincinnati Bengals and later at the San Francisco 49ers to great acclaim, and the 1981 arrival of linebacker Lawrence Taylor to the New York Giants. The increased use of the pass and the introduction of a particularly lethal pass-rusher placed an increased importance on the role of the offensive left tackle. Most quarterbacks are right-handed and in order to throw, they stand with their left shoulder facing down field. Thus, they turn their backs to linebackers and other defenders pass rushing from the left side, creating a vulnerable "blind side" that the left tackle must protect. Taylor's speed and power changed the role of outside linebacker to become a more attacking, aggressive position. This in turn caused teams to emphasize larger and more agile left tackles. When free agency was first implemented in the NFL, this new importance of the offensive line and particularly the left tackle rose to prominence with the largest increase in wages amongst all positions, with particular study of Steve Wallace and Will Wolford.

The book also features Michael Oher, the former left tackle for the Ole Miss football team, and later right tackle for the Baltimore Ravens.^[3] Lewis follows Oher from his impoverished upbringing through his years at Briarcrest Christian School, his purported adoption^[4] by Sean (Michael Lewis's former schoolmate) and Leigh Anne Tuohy and on to his position as one of the most highly coveted prospects in college football.

Film adaptation

Main article: The Blind Side (film)

The 2009 film The Blind Side was directed by John Lee Hancock and primarily follows the story of Michael Oher. It stars Quinton Aaron as Oher, along with Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Kathy Bates. It also features appearances by several past and present college football coaches playing themselves.

Bullock would go on to win Best Actress at the 82nd Academy Awards for her portrayal of Leigh Ann Tuohy. The film was also nominated for Best Picture.

Legal action against Tuohy family

Main article: The Blind Side (film) § Legal claim against Tuohy family

References

1. Lewis, Michael (September 2, 2006). The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 039306123X.
2. "The Blind Side". www.goodreads.com.
3. "Depth Chart". baltimoreravens.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-26.
4. "'Blind Side' subject Oher alleges Tuohys made millions off lie". espn.com. 14 August 2023.

External links

• Siegel, Robert (October 10, 2006). "Author Michael Lewis Tackles Football's 'Blind Side'". All Things Considered. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
• Lewis, Michael (September 24, 2006). "The Ballad of Big Mike". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
• "W.W. Norton: The Blind Side". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 15 December 2009. Michael Lewis tells the story of Michael Oher.
• Roberts, Russ (January 29, 2007). "Michael Lewis on the Hidden Economics of Baseball and Football". EconTalk. Library of Economics and Liberty.