By now, everyone in America knows the story of Michael Oher, a homeless black kid who became pro football player with the Baltimore Ravens -- thanks in large part to a well-to-do white family that took him in. His story was a focus of Michael Lewis' book "The Blind Side," and made into a popular movie starring Sandra Bullock. It was a heart-warming tale of redemption but Oher did not like the implication that he was dumb, so he kept his distance from all the hype. Now, Oher will offer his own version in "I Beat the Odds: My Amazing Journey from Foster Care to the NFL and Beyond," a memoir to be published next February by Gotham Books.
The book will be written with Don Yaeger, who has had a hand in books about UCLA coaching legend John Wooden, N.Y. Mets pitcher Tug McGraw and Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton. He's obviously pumped, judging from his recent tweet: @ErinAndrewsESPN I just signed to write Michael Oher's own book. He's an amazing kid...even better than the movie!
Gotham Books publisher William Shinker had this comment: "From reading the book The Blind Side and seeing the award-winning movie of the same name millions of people think they know Michael Oher's story, but they really don't. He gave only two interviews for the book and none for the movie. This will be the first time he will be able to tell his story in his own words with details that only he knows, and to offer his point of view on how anyone, no matter their background and upbringing, can achieve a better life."
Meanwhile, the parents who took Oher in, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, have written "In a Heartbeat," which is scheduled for a July release. Sally Jenkins, who collaborated with Lance Armstrong on "It's Not About the Bike," helped with the writing.