[CROWD CHEERING IN DISTANCE]
LEIGH ANNE: There's a moment of orderly silence before a football play begins.
Players are in position, linemen are frozen, and anything is possible.
ANNOUNCER [ON TV]: Almost Indian-summer weather here in mid-November.
[WHISTLE BLOWS]
LEIGH ANNE: Then, like a traffic accident, stuff begins to randomly collide.
From the snap of the ball to the snap of the first bone...
is closer to 4 seconds than 5.
ANNOUNCER: First and 10. Riggins, flea flicker back to Theismann.
Theismann's in a lot of trouble.
[TAPE REWINDING]
LEIGH ANNE: One Mississippi. Joe Theismann, the Redskins' quarterback...
takes the snap and hands off to his running back.
ANNOUNCER: First and 10. Riggins--
LEIGH ANNE: Two Mississippi.
It's a trick play, a flea flicker...
and the running back tosses the ball back to the quarterback.
ANNOUNCER: Flea flicker back to Theismann.
LEIGH ANNE: Three Mississippi.
Up to now, the play's been defined by what the quarterback sees.
It's about to be defined by what he doesn't.
Four Mississippi.
Lawrence Taylor is the best defensive player in the NFL...
and has been from the time he stepped onto the field as a rookie.
ANNOUNCER: Theismann's in a lot of trouble.
And it was Lawrence Taylor...
who slammed Theismann to the ground at the 42-yard line. The blitz was on...
LEIGH ANNE: He will also change the game of football as we know it.
ANNOUNCER: We will look at it with the reverse angle one more time.
And I suggest if your stomach is weak, you just don't watch.
LEIGH ANNE: Legendary quarterback Joe Theismann...
never played another down of football.
Now, you all would guess that, more often than not...
the highest paid player on an NFL team is a quarterback...
and you'd be right.
But what you probably don't know is, more often than not...
the second highest paid player is, thanks to Lawrence Taylor, a left tackle.
Because as every housewife knows, the first check you write is for the mortgage...
but the second is for the insurance.
And the left tackle's job is to protect the quarterback from what he can't see coming.
To protect his blind side.
The ideal left tackle is big, but a lot of people are big.
He's wide in the butt and massive in the thighs.
He has long arms, giant hands and feet as quick as a hiccup.
This is a rare and expensive combination...
the need for which can be traced to that Monday night game and Lawrence Taylor.
For on that day, he not only altered Joe Theismann's life...
but mine as well.
WOMAN: Mr. Oher.
Do you understand? Do you know why I am here?
To investigate?
Yes. To investigate.
I am here to investigate your odd...predicament.
Do you find it odd, your predicament?
Michael?
I don't know.
-Can I--? Can I leave now? -No, you can't.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
MAN: Where's Coach Cotton's office?
Thanks, man.
They said you were the coach.
Bert Cotton.
Tony Hamilton, but everybody just calls me Big Tony.
Hey, Big Mike, check it out.
Not even locked.
White people are crazy.
[GRUNTS]
TONY: I promised my ma, Boo, on her deathbed...
that I'd get my son. Steven, out of public school and into a church school.
I appreciate that, Tony. but I am not involved with admissions.
I just figured maybe I can come talk to you...
seeing as though you might need some players.
-What kind of sport does he play? -Anything with a ball. The boy's good too.
Classes start in a week. It'd have to be for next semester.
I know what you're thinking, coach.
But look here, I got money, all right?
See, I am a mechanic at Wilson's Auto, the other side of town.
Well, look, what if somebody drops out or moves? Could they get in then?
"They"? You only mentioned one son.
That's right. Steven. But there's another boy.
-Heh. Another boy? -Yeah.
Big Mike. Sleeps on my couch from time to time.
It's a bad deal. You know, his mom's on that crack pipe.
He ain't got nobody else. He just wanted to come along for the ride.
-They're here? -Yeah.
Now, the little one, that's Steven...
and the big one...
Big Mike.
STEVEN: Swish!
Big Mike! Ha-ha.
Come on.
Mother of God.
MAN: Steven Hamilton's paperwork looks acceptable to me...
and I believe he will do fine. But this other kid...
-Big Mike. -Michael Oher...
gives us no reason to believe that...
based on his records, that he would be successful here.
Well, how bad could it be?
We're not exactly sure how old he is, due to his lack of records.
He has a measured IQ of 80, which is 6th percentile.
His grade-point average begins with zero, 0.6.
Everyone passed him along.
They gave him D's so they could hand their problem off to the next school.
He's a brave kid.
For wanting to come here, for wanting a quality education.
An education denied him by the poor quality of schools he's attended.
Most kids with his background wouldn't come within 200 miles of this place.
Coach Cotton, we understand your interest in this young man's athletic abilities.
He wouldn't be able to play sports until he got his grades up.
Forget sports.
Look at the wall.
"Christian." We either take that seriously or we paint over it.
You don't admit Michael Oher because of sports.
You admit him because it's the right thing to do.
[STUDENTS CHATTERING]
Class, this is Mike Oher...
and he's new here so I expect you all to make him feel welcome.
Mike, just take any empty seat.
This is a quiz based on the information...
you learned last year in your science curriculum.
Don't worry, it's not going to be graded.
I just want to see how much information we need to hit again.
Just answer whatever you know.
[BELL RINGS]
[STUDENTS CHATTERING]
[GIRL LAUGHING]
Thank you.
-Can I leave now? -Yeah.
Take your book.
WOMAN: I am tired of having someone always in our home.
I am tired of him eating all the food.
TONY: Look, man, you got to be Christian about this thing.
WOMAN: Let somebody else be Christian about this thing.
TONY: Dee, come on. I can't kick him out on the street like he's some dog.
DEE: Let somebody else take the responsibility.
TONY: What, you want me to go to Beale Street and drop him off?
DEE: When do I have time just to be with you?
TONY: All right, all right. Whatever. You win. I will take care of it.
[WHISTLE BLOWS]
WOMAN: I don't care if Patrick Ramsey approved the chair.
He's an NFL quarterback, not Martha fricking Stewart.
Because there is a difference between Bunny Williams and a La-Z-Boy.
No, see, when MTV Cribs comes to his house...
he will be showing off his home theater.
All I am going to see is a brown Barcalounger.
No, listen to me. I am the designer, my name is on it.
Deliver what I ordered, all right? Thank you.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUDE]
Yeah!
LEIGH ANNE: What'd I miss? -Collins just got a dig.
It's girls' volleyball. Mom. You didn't miss anything.
CROWD: Oh!
-Come on, Collins, move your feet. SEAN: Good job, Collins.
Go.
We will wait for you outside.
Don't double condition in the shower, you have homework.
I am going to Cannon's to study.
SJ! SJ, do not go in the girls' locker room again.
Come here! SJ, come here!
MAN: The big kid's been here for, what, a month?
He's still not cutting it in my class.
Why does Admissions do this? I mean, it's not fair to us or the boy.
They're just setting him up to fail.
I don't think he has any idea of what I am teaching.
And how would you know if he did? He won't even talk.
He writes.
His name. Barely.
He threw this in the trash can.
"I look and I see white everywhere:
White walls, white floors,
and a lot of white people.
The teachers do not know I have no idea of anything they are talking about.
I do not want to listen to anyone, especially the teachers.
They are giving homework and expecting me to do the problems on my own.
I have never done homework in my life.
I go to the bathroom,
look in the mirror and say:
'This is not Michael Oher."'
He entitled it "White Walls."
How's the spelling?
[CHUCKLING]
Hi.
Smile at them. It lets them know you're their friend.
You're Big Mike, right?
Well, I am Sean.
But everyone calls me SJ. It's for Sean Junior. My father's name is Sean.
Sean Tuohy? He was a basketball star at Ole Miss, point guard.
Now he owns like a million Taco Bells.
[HONKING HORN]
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
LEIGH ANNE: Who is that, SJ? SJ: Big Mike.
Get your feet off my dash.
Thank you. Put on your seat belt.
[STARTS ENGINE]
Big Mike?
Mike. I got a call from someone at the police department.
You remember a story in the papers a while back about a man who...
fell off an overpass?
No one knew who he was.
They didn't know if he jumped or if...
Well, anyway, he-- He passed away.
Mike, that man was your father.
They have been looking for somebody to notify and they--
They found your name in our registry.
I am really sorry, son.
Were you close to him?
When's the last time you saw him?
I don't know.
-He knows it! -Who knows it and what does he know?
The material, Michael Oher, I gave him this test verbally.
-Is that even allowed? -A "C"? On how big a curve?
He's been listening all along. It's amazing what he's absorbed.
And, trust me, he's listening to you too. Now, his reading level is low...
and he's got no idea how to learn in a classroom...
I am not saying he's going to pass,
but Big Mike is not stupid.
LEIGH ANNE: Hey. Good job. SJ: Mama. Daddy.
SEAN: Good job. Hey...
-I got a question for you. SJ: Yeah?
There was a little girl about 2 rows back. What was her name?
-Oh, that was Kinsey. -Kinsey, yeah.
I saw your little Indian feathers get all ruffled up.
Yeah! She is nice.
SJ. Don't let this go to your head...
but I thought you were very convincing in the role of...
-Indian Number 3? -Yes.
I tried out for the chief, but they gave it to Andy Sung.
I can't be sure, but I think there's some multi-cultural-bias thing working.
Or maybe they just thought that he'd make a better chief.
Dad, he's, like, Chinese.
Yeah, and you're Irish.
If you weren't the chief, how did you get the headdress?
Dad, I am going to need a few more of those free quesadilla tickets.
[CHUCKLES]
And where does the acorn fall?
Hey, don't laugh too hard. The quesadillas saved our ass.
Don't use the A-word.
What is he wearing?
It's freezing.
-What's his name again? -Big Mike.
Where is he going?
Hey. Big Mike. Where you headed?
Gym.
Go ahead.
Turn around.
Big Mike!
Stop the car.
Big Mike.
Hey. My name's Leigh Anne Tuohy. My kids go to Wingate.
You said you were going to the gym?
School gym's closed.
Why were you going to the gym?
Big Mike, why were you going to the gym?
Because it's-- It's warm.
Do you have any place to stay tonight?
Don't you dare lie to me.
I have seen that look many times. She's about to get her way.
Come on.
SJ, make room.
Get inside.
Come on.
-Where we going? -Home.
I know, it's my favorite part. He's so cute.
How'd the dork do in the school play?
Um...
Okay.
Collins, do you know Big Mike from school?
I'd give you the guest bedroom, but it's full of sample boxes.
And the sectional in the family room slides apart when you sleep on it.
Least that's what Sean says.
Mr. Tuohy sleeps on the couch?
Only when he's bad. All right.
The powder room is right there and we will be upstairs if you need us. All right?
Okay. Sleep tight, honey.
LEIGH ANNE: Was this a bad idea?
What?
Don't lie there and pretend like you're not thinking the same thing as me.
Tell me what you're thinking so I will know what's supposed to be on my mind.
How well do you know Big Mike?
Case you hadn't noticed, he didn't have much to say.
What's the big deal? It's just for one night, right?
It is just for one night, right, Leigh Anne?
You don't think he will steal anything, do you?
I guess we will know in the morning.
ANNOUNCER [ON TV]: --talking about Mississippi and Arkansas.
The fight's gotten more interesting.
Well, if you hear a scream, call the insurance adjuster.
[CHUCKLES]
Mike?
Big Mike?
Mike?
Big Mike!
You going to make me walk the whole way?
All right, then.
Where are you going?
I don't know.
Well, are you spending Thanksgiving with your family?
ANNOUNCER [ON TV]: Those 40, 50 guys from State here can quiet them down.
As you mentioned, the Mississippi State defensive--
-Come and get it, you all. -Yeah, baby!
SEAN: Let's eat!
Come on!
It's that Rebel turkey.
Thank your mother for driving to the store and getting this.
COLLINS: Thank you. Mama. -Thank you. Mama.
SEAN: Food and football. LEIGH ANNE: Eat all you want.
Come on. Hustle, hustle. We got to get back over there.
SJ: Going, Dad.
Don't take my spot.
-No rushing, SJ. SJ, slow down. -Coming through.
SJ: No. SEAN: This is fantastic.
LEIGH ANNE: Oh, you all. I forgot the potato salad. How's Ole Miss doing?
SEAN: They're kicking butt.
ANNOUNCER: One wide receiver left... SEAN: Good, huh?
and one corner, number 30, out in press coverage--
Sean, salad.
SJ: It's great. Mom. COLLINS: So good. Thanks. Mama.
Yeah. Mama.
Nice little surge, but not much running inside.
SJ: Come on. -And the Rebels got 3rd and long here.
Birdsong and Mawhinney on the tackle. Ole Miss, 5 of 10 on 3rd downs.
From the 26, 3rd down and 6 for the Rebs here.
SJ: Come on, defense.
I formation. The rain is slow, let's see if they try a pass or not.
Now Turner goes in motion out of the backfield.
State showing blitz, Manning to throw.
Runs to his right, throws it at the feet of the--
-Hey. Mom. -What?
But it's Thanksgiving.
-Wow. -Why are we eating in here?
Shall we say grace?
Heavenly Father, we thank you for all the many blessings on this family.
We thank you for bringing us a new friend.
And we ask that you look after us on this holiday season...
that we may never forget how very fortunate we are. Amen.
Amen.
SEAN: Let's check the score. SJ: Up by 10.
LEIGH ANNE: Collins, can you pass me the green beans, please?
Don't pick it with your fingers. Just take-- Take a sp-- Ta--
-SJ, elbows. -Sorry.
So, Big Mike. You like to shop?
Because tomorrow I think I am going to have to show you how it's done.
[SNORTS]
I got clothes.
You have clothes.
And an extra T-shirt in a plastic bag does not a wardrobe make.
I have clothes.
Fine, let's go get them. Just tell me where I am going.
All right.
Tell me everything I need to know about you.
Who takes care of you? A mother?
Do you have a mother? A grandmother maybe?
Tell you what. Big Mike, we can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way.
You take your pick.
Fine.
Tell me just...
one thing I should know about you. Just-- Just one.
I don't like to be called Big Mike.
Okay.
Tell you what, from now on, to me, you're Michael.
Okay?
So, Michael...
where are we headed?
I kid you all not, you all. I am going to tell it. Make it rain and everything, right?
Shorty-- Shorty gets to the top of the pole. She just done--
MAN 1: That's nice. MAN 2: Yo, check it.
MAN 3: What's that, a 7? MAN 4: For real.
Yeah.
ALTON: Yeah, right there.
-You know them? -Man. I ain't got no idea, shorty.
This is where your mother lives?
-Let's go get them. -Don't-- Don't get out.
Who's going to help you carry your clothes, Michael?
Don't get out the car.
ALTON: Snowflake.
Oh. That's Big Mike, man.
Oh. Big Mike is in the house.
Big Mike! Where you been, baby?
Hey, who that fine thing you got driving you around now, like Miss Daisy or something?
Hey, David.
ALTON: You need to holler at me about them sneakers, man. I am going to take care of you.
I run this over here in Hurt Village. Baby, believe that.
Ey. Hey, D, watch this. They always go for the wink, watch this.
There you go. Yeah, snowflake. Ha-ha-ha.
You like that. Yeah.
WOMAN 1: That girl will not listen to me. WOMAN 2: She don't listen to nobody.
-Hey, Mike. -Hi, Big Mike.
MICHAEL: She wasn't home.
Well, we can come back.
She probably moved to a nicer place.
[MEN CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]
I have been in Memphis my whole life and never been anywhere near here.
-You're going to take care of me, right? MICHAEL: I got your back.
Now just follow me, you all. Uh-huh.
There we go.
Oh, we also got apparel for the ladies.
But everything we got that will fit him is right here.
This is it?
If this is all you got, why's it say "Big and Tall" on the sign?
Big and Tall. You need Bigger and Taller.
-Holler if you need me. LEIGH ANNE: Thank you.
-See anything you like? -Hey. I got just what you're looking for.
One thing I know about shopping is that...
if you don't love it in the store, you won't wear it.
The store's where you like it the best.
So before you choose something, think of yourself wearing it.
Say to yourself. "Is this me?"
What about this one?
Well, this is not atrocious, this...
No? All right, well, you go look over there and I will go look over here.
Why would you need this many coats out of plastic?
Good Lord. What is this made out of?
That's the one?
That's the one you like?
Well, all right, then.
[CAR DOOR CLOSES]
Have a great day! Learn something.
[HORN HONKS]
Oh, don't get your panties in a wad.
[STARTS ENGINE]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
BETH: The best part about Paris was the food.
They use sauce like we use gravy.
-I had to join a gym the day I got back. WOMAN: Oh.
Have you all spent much time on the other side of town?
-Where exactly are you talking about? -Alabama Street, Hurt Village.
Hurt Village? That sounds like a threat.
LEIGH ANNE: Not far off.
I think it might hurt me to go there.
It would hurt your reputation to go there.
Actually, I am from there but didn't mind hard work, and look where I am now.
Eating an $18 salad?
[WOMEN CHUCKLING]
And it's a little soggy, to be honest.
What is this sudden interest in the projects? Another one of your "charities"?
Wait. Project for the projects. Ooh. That's catchy!
You all, money would raise itself.
Okay. Count me in, Leigh Anne.
[WOMEN CHUCKLING]
-Break out your checkbooks. WOMAN: Yes.
SJ, you have 2 more minutes on that Playbox thing, all right?
SJ: Aw. Mom! -There you go.
Michael, do you want to stay here?
I mean, because if you want to stay here for a while longer...
I can find some time to
figure out a bedroom for you.
I mean, because look at this.
You have practically ruined a $10,000 couch.
Do you want to stay here, Michael?
I don't want to go anyplace else.
Well, all right, then.
SJ, you better be off that Playbox.
SJ: That wasn't 2 minutes.
Good night, Mrs. Tuohy.
I see on the admission that we're Michael's contact for medical emergencies.
MRS. SMITH: Sean wrote that in last week.
We needed a contact number and the ones listed weren't in service.
I love that man.
What's this?
The state makes schools measure for career aptitude in the 8th grade...
-and this just came with his file. -What's it say about Michael?
Spatial relations, 3rd percentile.
Ability to learn, 5th percentile.
It's funny though. He tested in the 98th percentile in one category.
-Which one? -Protective instincts.
So over here you have a desk, chest of drawers...
you have a nightstand, a light, an alarm.
Sean says all pro athletes use futons if they can't find a bed big enough...
so I got you one of those. Of course the frame was heinous.
I was not about to let that in my house, but I got you something nicer.
-It's mine? -Yes, sir.
-What? -Never had one before.
What, a room to yourself?
A bed.
Well, you have one now.
MRS. BOSWELL: Okay. Define osmosis.
I think I know that one.
It's when water passes through a barrier.
That's basically right, Michael. Very good.
Name the combatants in the Battle of Waterloo.
I know that one. Um...
-The little guy. Napoleon. -Uh-huh.
He was on one side and a duke was on the other.
Duke of Wellington.
Yeah, and the Duke of Wellington, he had Russians helping him.
Prussians.
Enough with the rugby shirts.
You look like a giant bumblebee.
SJ: That Taco Bell.
KFC catty-corner. And the Long John Silver's on the next block.
MICHAEL: You own all of them?
-Yeah. We have got like hundreds. -85.
Is that why Mr. Tuohy don't have to go to work?
Whoa, whoa! Hey! I am working even when I am not working.
-What? -And you eat at all these places for free?
All you want. It's awesome.
What do you all do with all the leftover food from the restaurant?
We have to throw some out, what's already cooked.
-That's too bad. -Yeah. I'd rather sell it.
Seems like you could give it away or something.
-You should check into that, Daddy. SEAN: All right, I will, SJ.
How come we're not eating at one of your restaurants tonight?
-Well, because tonight is a special occasion. SJ: What?
I talked to Coach Cotton. He said Michael's grades have improved enough...
that he can go out for spring football in March.
-Isn't that great? -Oh, man! You're going to crush some people!
[SEAN CHUCKLES]
-Hey, guys, how we doing? -Great, thank you.
I have got a design book I need to get. Why don't you check our reservation?
They will seat us right away. Can't it wait?
They might be closed by then. Come on, SJ!
I need some new magazines.
Michael, come on. Come on.
Collins? Collins?
Collins, come on, your dad's already PO'd. Let's go.
COLLINS: Over here.
[COLLINS CHUCKLING]
[CHATTERING]
You remember this one. Mom? You read it to us like a thousand times.
"He gnashed his terrible teeth and he roared his terrible roar."
I always liked this one.
Mm. Ferdinand.
Me too.
Michael, your mama ever read either one of those books to you?
No?
COLLINS: How cute!
SEAN: It was a good steak, huh?
COLLINS: Thank you, Daddy.
LEIGH ANNE: Thank you for a lovely dinner. Papa.
SEAN: Here we go.
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
Michael. Who was that boy you were talking to at the restaurant?
Marcus.
-Marcus, and he-- He works there? -Yeah.
How do you know him?
He's my brother.
Well, we'd really-- We'd really like to meet him someday.
Would that be okay with you?
MICHAEL: I don't know where he stays.
LEIGH ANNE: When was the last time you saw him?
When I was little, maybe.
LEIGH ANNE: "Once upon a time in Spain, there was a little bull...
and his name was Ferdinand.
All the other little bulls he lived with would run and jump...
and butt their heads together.
But not Ferdinand.
He liked to sit just quietly
and smell the flowers.
He had a favorite spot out in the pasture under a cork tree.
LEIGH ANNE: It was his favorite tree...
and he would sit in its shade all day and smell the flowers."
Good night.
-What? -What?
Why are you smiling?
I don't know, I am just happy. Real happy.
Does this happiness have anything to do with Michael?
No.
It has everything to do with Michael.
Mm. Mm.
-Happy's good. -Mm.
You know what I think we should do?
We should start a charity for kids like Michael.
-Okay. -Maybe fund a program at Wingate.
Sure.
Lord knows that school could use a little color.
Poor Michael's like a fly in the milk in that place.
Are you listening to me?
-Hmm? -I try to concentrate on one...
thing...
at a time.
[WHISPERING] You knew I was a multi-tasker...
when you married me, right?
-I sure did. -Right. Okay, just checking.
Okay. Tuohy family. Big smiles, everyone.
And 1, 2, 3!
Michael.
Come on down here and get in the next one.
Come on. Come on. Come on down.
Oh, come on. It's not like I am going to put it on the Christmas card.
Okay, let's scootch in a little tighter.
That's good.
Really big smiles.
Okay, 1, 2, 3.
-Say "Rebels!" ALL: Rebels!
ANNOUNCER [ON TV]: --a blitz off the corner, quick pass over the middle.
-The hot route was there. And that's... LEIGH ANNE: I got it.
-Who's winning? -Tennessee.
-Ugh. Who they playing? -Clemson.
Your mama roots against Tennessee no matter who they play?
Uh-- Yes, I do. With gusto.
She can't stand Tennessee.
Collie-bell. I thought you were going over to your boyfriend's.
Thought I'd hang around here for the day.
Hmm.
I like that.
There's a couple messages on the machine. I didn't check them.
LEIGH ANNE: All right.
BOBBY: Hey, Sean, hey, Leigh Anne, it's your cousin Bobby. Happy New Year's.
-Listen, I have had about 5 cold ones... -Of course you have.
so I am just going to go ahead and ask:
Did you all know there's a colored boy in your Christmas card?
[BOTH CHUCKLING]
What?
You just looked teeny-tiny next to him.
Right? Like Jessica Lange and King Kong.
[WOMEN LAUGHING]
Hey, does Michael get the family discount at Taco Bell?
Because if he does. Sean's going to lose a few stores.
He's a good kid.
Well, I say you make it official and just adopt him.
[WOMEN LAUGHING]
He's going to be 18 in a few months. Doesn't really make much sense to legally adopt.
Leigh Anne.
Is this some sort of white-guilt thing?
ELAINE: What will your daddy say?
Um... Before or after he turns over in his grave?
Daddy's been gone 5 years, Elaine.
Make matters worse, you were at the funeral. Remember?
You wore Chanel and that awful black hat.
Look, here's the deal.
I don't need you all to approve my choices, all right?
But I do ask that you respect them. You have no idea what this boy's been through.
And if this is going to become some running diatribe...
I can find an overpriced salad a lot closer to home.
Leigh Anne, I am sorry. We didn't intend to-- No, we didn't, really.
BETH: I think what you're doing is so great.
To open up your home to him?
Honey, you're changing that boy's life.
No.
He's changing mine.
And that's awesome for you, but what about Collins?
-What about Collins? ELAINE: Aren't you worried?
I mean, even just a little?
He's a boy, a large, black boy, sleeping under the same roof.
Shame on you.
I have got this.
LEIGH ANNE: Be honest with me, okay?
Does Michael being here make you uncomfortable?
They're stupid kids. Who cares what they say?
-What kids? -At school.
They're juvenile.
And what do the juvenile kids say?
It's really not worth repeating.
And don't worry about SJ.
He likes all the attention. He introduces Michael as his big brother.
And what about you?
It's fine.
I mean, you can't just throw him out on the street.
I could make other arrangements.
GIRL: Hi, Mike. -Hi. Need a push?
Yes.
MICHAEL: Oh. GIRL: Higher, Mike, higher!
[MICHAEL & GIRLS CHUCKLING]
GIRL: Higher!
[GIRL GIGGLING]
Higher!
[MICHAEL & GIRLS CHUCKLING]
GIRL: Don't look down, don't look down. Ah!
[MICHAEL CHUCKLES]
-Where are you going? -Collins?
Quit looking at me like that.
I mean, we study together at home.
You know how much those things weigh? This kid's going to make us all famous.
[CHUCKLES]
Easy. Bert, man. It's only the spring. He hasn't even had his first practice yet.
No, he's a player.
PLAYERS: Break!
QB: Ready. PLAYERS: Break!
COTTON: Get down, son. Get down in your stance. In your stance!
QB: Go!
COTTON: Shuck him, shuck him! Ah, ah--
Mike, son, you-- You fought off the block...
but then you want to shuck the blocker.
All right? Shuck him. All right, let's go.
QB: Huddle up.
Papa.
[SIGHS]
How's he doing?
Hasn't quite gotten the hang of it yet.
[PLAYERS YELLING]
[WHISTLE BLOWING]
COTTON: Mike, son.
Shuck the blocker, don't tote him!
QB: Set, go!
No, no, no!
QB: Set, go!
Balloons! They're balloons!
Guys, quit looking at the balloons. Everybody!
COTTON: Most kids from bad situations can't wait to be violent...
and that comes out on the field.
But this kid, he acts like he doesn't want to hit anyone.
He's Ferdinand the Bull.
COTTON: What? -Nothing.
I thought he was going to be a player. I can't believe I used up all my chips to get him in.
I thought you said it was your Christian duty.
Look. Bert, he's never even played before.
Yeah, and he won't this fall if he doesn't improve a lot before then.
Who died and made him Bear Bryant?
[LAUGHS]
Unbelievable.
Oh. God bless me.
This is your summer workout sheet.
Now, first it says to warm up and get loose.
Well, go ahead, get loose.
Are you loose?
Okay. Next, it's five 100-yard runs to stretch out your legs.
-Can we just go home and play video games? -Look!
Everybody at Wingate is expecting you to be a star football player.
Don't want to let them down, do you?
-I don't know. -What about Dad and Mom?
Because, you see, in our family. everyone's an athlete.
Dad was a basketball star. Collins plays volleyball and runs track.
And me, well, as you know, I do it all.
And Mom-- Well, Mom was a cheerleader...
which doesn't exactly count, but don't tell her I said that. Okay?
-Okay. -Okay.
[BLOWS WHISTLE]
-Yeah. 50. MICHAEL: Uhn.
SJ: 51.
52. 53.
Come on, you can get him. Go, go, go! Come on!
5 seconds left in the game!
This way!
High knees, high knees, high knees! Speed kills, baby! Run like the wind!
[CHUCKLES]
Go, Michael, go!
98.
99.
100.
Move your feet, move your feet! Come on, come on! Go!
-There you go. -Ahh!
SJ: You got to get the tackle, come on, come on, come on!
Come on, Michael.
[GRUNTING]
Mrs. Tuohy?
I hear "Mrs. Tuohy." I look over my shoulder for my mother-in-law.
Call me Leigh Anne or Mama or almost anything else.
-Can you help me get something? -What?
Driver's license.
Why do you need a driver's license when you don't even have a car?
Michael, why do you want a driver's license?
It's something to carry with my name on it.
[COMPUTER BEEPS]
There's no one by the name of Michael Oher in the system.
Another last name, perhaps?
Look. I will sign something that says he lives with us.
We will pay for all of the insurance. Whatever it takes. Okay?
What's it going to take?
SEAN: You want to do what? -You heard me.
-Shouldn't we at least talk about this? -What do you think we're doing?
And don't act like I am going behind your back.
I know you put us down as Michael's medical contact at school.
There is a huge difference between paying for a broken arm...
and being legally responsible for someone. I mean, a kid we barely know.
That's another thing. We need to find out more about his past.
He won't talk about it. He's like an onion. You have to peel him back a layer at a time.
Not if you use a knife.
What if we took him to a child psychologist or something?
-Do you really expect Big Mike to--? -Michael.
Do you expect Michael to lie on a couch...
and talk about his childhood like he's Woody Allen?
I mean, Michael's gift is his ability to forget.
He's mad at no one and he really doesn't care what happened in the past.
You're right.
Excuse me? "You're right"?
How'd those words taste coming out of your mouth?
Like vinegar.
Well, at least promise me you will think about it.
All right.
"All right, you will think about it," or, "All right, we should do it"?
Is there a difference?
Just tell Gerald to hold on to the chiffonier and I will be by there after a while.
You know-- I got to call you back. Bye.
Excuse me.
I am not cutting. I am just asking.
Let me tell you something. We have been sitting around here for over an hour...
and when I look around and all I see are people shooting the bull and drinking coffee.
Who runs this place?
I'd have it in shape in 2 days. I can tell you that.
-I bet you would. How can I help you? -Oh, he was first.
No, you go ahead. I think I want to hear this. Me too.
I do not appreciate the attitude.
Ma'am, now, you can tell me what you want...
or I can make sure you wait here all day.
Now, how can I help you?
I would like to become a legal guardian.
Lord help that child.
There's very little on Michael. Most of his files have been lost.
-Well, what is in there? -A few case notes.
This one describes an incident where officers forcibly removed Michael...
from Denise Oher's care when Michael was 7.
Quite a scene evidently. They had to split up the kids.
-And it's far from the worst. -Where is she? His mother?
I don't know. If you find her, we got a heap more files we could add to.
Well, how many kids does she have?
Least a dozen, probably. If not more.
With her drug-arrest record, my guess would be, she can't even remember.
Can I see that?
So we would need her permission, right?
No. Michael is a ward of the state. Just apply and get a judge to sign off on it.
So you would just give him away without even telling his mother?
MAN 1: Check out this piece right here.
MAN 2: Yeah. MAN 1: Damn, girl.
LEIGH ANNE: Miss Oher?
Hi, Miss-- Miss Oher?
-You from the state? -No.
My name is Leigh Anne Tuohy, and your son...
Michael, lives with me...
and my family.
How is my boy? How's Big Mike?
He's fine. He's doing real well.
We might have some wine in the kitchen. if you...
Oh, no, no. That's real kind.
When did you last see Michael?
I don't know.
How many--? How many foster kids you got living with you?
Oh, I am not a foster parent to Michael. We're just helping him out.
State don't pay you nothing?
No, no.
And you feed him and you buy him clothes too?
Well, when we can find them in his size.
You are a fine Christian lady.
Well, I try to be.
This all real nice. What you're doing...
but don't be surprised if one day you wake up and he gone.
What do you mean?
He's a runner. That's what the state called him after they took him from me.
Every foster home they sent him to...
he'd slip out the window at night and come looking for me.
No matter where I was,
that boy would come find me, take care of me.
I have had some health problems.
Miss Oher, was Michael born under a different name?
Proctor. That was his daddy's last name.
Where is he?
-I ain't seen him since he left. -And when was that?
Week after Mike was born.
Do you happen to have his birth certificate?
It's all right. I will figure it out.
[CLEARS THROAT]
Mrs. Oher, you will always be Michael's mama.
Would you like to see him?
[VOICE BREAKING] No. Not this way.
It's Williams.
His last name's Williams.
Couldn't even remember who the boy's father is.
I checked out the new Madden. The colors are better, graphics brighter. It's awesome.
Michael, we have something we'd like to ask you.
-What? -Well, Leigh Anne and I, we--
Well, we'd like to become your legal guardians.
What's that mean?
What it means is, is that we want to know...
if you would like to become part of this family.
Kind of thought I already was.
[LAUGHS]
[FAMILY LAUGHING]
Well, all right, then.
Right here.
LEIGH ANNE: You got a couple steps. SEAN: Better watch that big foot.
LEIGH ANNE: One more.
One more. There you go.
All right. Take off the blindfold.
SEAN: Well? That's the one you wanted, isn't it? Heh.
Here. Here you go, go ahead. Take it for a ride. Go on.
SJ: Can I go too? -Yeah, but, Michael? Be careful.
Shotgun!
Whoo-hoo!
-He wanted a truck? -Well, Michael thinks he's a redneck.
SJ: Come on, Michael!
Okay. See, you're the ketchup, here at left tackle on the weak side.
The first play is simple. Gap.
Now, see, this just means that you're going to block whoever's in front of you...
or on your inside shoulder, if you're not covered by a defender.
Now, I will be the running back, and you show me what you're supposed to do.
Ready? Hike!
You will block him. He will hit him. Quarterback will hand it off.
He gets the ball, and he takes off!
Open lane to the end zone. All there is to it.
What's going on here?
Blended spice just scored.
We were going through the playbook. Michael got moved to offense.
When you're done, put the players back in the spice cabinet. Thank you.
SJ: No problem.
Actually. Mom, we were kind of waiting for you.
You see. the new Madden game came out...
and me and Michael were wanting to go get it.
I can't. I have got a meeting in 10 minutes. But he can drive.
He can drive us.
[YOUNG MC'S "BUST A MOVE" PLAYING OVER CAR STEREO]
SJ: Oh, yeah, that's what I am talking about.
MICHAEL: What you know about this? SJ: I know a lot about this.
-Show me something then. -I will show you something.
-I will start it. Follow my lead. -All right.
-You ready? -Yeah.
[RAPPING] Next day's function
[RAPPING] High-class luncheon
-Food is served -And you're stone-cold munching
-Music comes on -People start to dance
-But then you ate so much -You nearly split your pants
-A girl starts walking -Guy starts gawking
-Sits down next to you -Starts talking
-Says she want to dance -Because she likes the groove
-So come on, fatso -And just bust a move
If you want it You got it
You want it Baby, you got it
You want it You got it
You want it Baby, you got it
[GLASS SHATTERING]
LEIGH ANNE: This is not a $40,000 Oushak. Omid.
[PHONE RINGING]
You're crazy, Leigh Anne.
The borders are different widths. They have been altered.
We will give you 17, tops, all right? Hello.
[WOMAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY OVER RADIO]
[SIRENS WAILING]
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Ma'am, you can't get through.
Those are my kids. Those are my kids.
-Oh, my God. MICHAEL: Please. God, let him be okay.
LEIGH ANNE: Where are they? MICHAEL: I am so sorry!
-Michael, are you okay? -I am fine! SJ! Go help SJ!
I am so sorry. So sorry.
MAN 1: How are his vitals?
MAN 2: Excuse me, ma'am. -That's my son.
SJ, SJ, baby.
-Mama? -Yes, baby?
Do you think the blood will come out of my shirt?
Yes, I think the blood will come out of your shirt.
MAN: An air bag deploys at 200 miles an hour.
Your son is too small to be in the front seat.
But he is okay, right?
Busted lip, bruised face. Usually when someone his size gets hit with a air bag...
it's a fractured face, broken neck, maybe worse.
It's like the air bag was coming for him and changed direction.
It's probably defective or something...
but your son's very, very lucky.
No, I did. I called the insurance, it's fine. It's fine.
I will talk to you later. I got to go. Bye.
[SIGHS]
SJ's fine.
He is. He's actually enjoying all the attention he's getting back there.
Hey, Michael, could have happened to anyone, all right? It's not your fault.
Honey, look at me.
Michael, what happened to your arm?
I stopped it.
[WHISTLE BLOWS]
TONY: Wide right! MAN 1: Ready.
TONY: Let's go. MAN 2: We're going right, right, right!
-Roll 3, roll 3. TONY: Ready, set, go!
[PLAYERS GRUNTING]
[WHISTLE BLOWS]
Oher! You got 100 pounds on Collis and you can't keep him out of our backfield?
Hold your block until the whistle blows. Hold it!
All right, let's go!
What's with the camera?
Michael always does better when he sees what he's supposed to be doing.
MAN: Set, go!
[BLOWS WHISTLE]