the blind side

“The game of football evolved and here was one cause of its evolution, a new kind of athlete doing a new kind of thing.” (Lewis, 17)

The Blind Side is about the life of Michael Oher, but in the first chapter, Lewis explains the game changing moment that occurred in the NFL with the emergence of the New York Giants’ linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Taylor was able to change the game because he was a huge man but also fast, agile, and athletic, exactly like Michael Oher. As a result he was able to put fear in the hearts of NFL quarterbacks by being able to come at them fast and furious from the right, their blind side. Lewis details the left tackle effect in a second-by-second retelling of the four-second play that ended Washington QB Joe Thiesman’s career. As a result, NFL teams had to find big, agile men to play Left Tackle to defend against the rushing Lawrence Taylors of the game. The way Lewis explains that moment allows you to understand the importance of good protection for the Quarter Back which has resulted in Left Tackles being among the most highly paid players in the game. Now that I have finished the book I can understand why Lewis went into such detail to emphasise that four second play. Without Lawrence Taylor, Michael Oher wouldn’t have made it so far, he wouldn’t have been in such high demand. Left Tackles need to be big but agile and that doesn’t happen every day. I find it amazing how a young boy can go from living on the streets, to becoming one of the highest paid players in the NHL. All of Michael’s fame is because of the kindness in a family’s heart and the position Lawrence Taylor made famous. After reading this book I now see that no matter how great you are, you will always have a blind side.