Week 10 Reading Post

This week I read The Blind Side by Michael Lewis for 1 hour and 43 minutes.

In the first chapter that I read this week, Michael Oher was investigated by the NCAA to see if he received any benefits from Ole Miss boosters-namely the Tuohys-that would make him ineligible to play college football. The investigator became frustrated as Michael refused to answer her questions and were answered by Sean Tuohy. The chapter continued by showing the academic standards that Michael needed to play college football. The higher the ACT score; however, the lower the grade point average needed. Michael's best ACT score was 12. THis required a 2.65 GPA. He finished his sophomore year with a 0.9 GPA. The Tuohys brought in a tutor, Miss Sue, to work tirelessly with Michael. Even with hard work, Michael was going to finish with a 2.05 GPA. Sean found a loophole. If Michael were mentally disabled, he could submit new grades up until August 1. BYU offered courses online which could "replace" the F's Michael received. With these courses he was required to read brief passages from famous works and answer 5 questions about them.Michael was evaluated by two psychiatrists and determined to be learning disabled. After he finished his final test, Michael was allowed to go to college. He was also informed by Coach O of Ole Miss that he would start his freshman year.

The next chapter described the evolution of the left tackle position as their was no "prototype" for the position. That quickly changed. The demand for left tackles increased. Talented defensive ends would exploit the quarterback's blind side. A higher demand brought a higher price. Left tackles new they were talented and expected to be paid as such. Jonathan Ogden proved this by receiving a six-year deal worth $44 million in 2000. He was being paid more than any quarterback in the NFL.

Totals: 45 hours and 33 minutes/ 1942 pages