By Jamel Major - bio | email
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - Millions have flocked to theaters in recent weeks to see "The Blind Side," a movie inspired by former Briarcrest football player Michael Oher and his adoptive family, the Tuohys.
Thursday, Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy took an entire high school to see them film, which has surprised them with its success.
"If you would have told me a year ago, much less a million, that any of this would be going on, we would've said, 'Oh, you're crazy,'" Leigh Anne said Thursday.
"We just can't believe it all happened," Sean Tuohy added.
The film follows the Tuohy family's decision to adopt homeless African American teenager Michael Oher. The family helps Oher overcome obstacles to become an all-star football player, get into college and picked in the first round of the NFL draft.
It's a message the Tuohy's hoped would inspire students at Douglass High School, and as a special treat, Thursday the Tuohys gave students, faculty and staff there a chance to see the movie.
"Everybody from Douglas, probably close to 750 people today," Leigh Anne said.
The students even got free drinks and popcorn. The Tuohys said they chose Douglass High School for a reason.
"I think Douglas is in the poorest zip code in the city of Memphis," Leigh Anne said. "I also know some of the coaches there."
Students like Rodney King appreciated the gesture.
"It gives us an opportunity to get out and reward us for doing good things," King said.
The Tuohys said they wanted the students to know that if they continue to dream big, anything is possible.
"It inspires us no matter what community we come from," said student Hope Dennis. "We can be anything we want to be."
The Tuohys said they hope more students will get an opportunity to go see the movie.
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