The Blind Side

Chapters 1-2

Reading Check

1. Joe Theismann (Chapter 1)

2. Joe Bugel (Chapter 1)

Short Answer

1. Right-handed quarterbacks cannot see defensive players charging from their left side. This is called “the blind side.” (Chapter 1)

2. Tom Lemming became the only national football scout in America during his time. (Chapter 2)

3. The player was required to be 300 pounds, over 6’5”, and have a triangular shape with long arms, big hands, and speed. (Chapter 2)

4. Michael seemed uninterested in his interview, and Lemming was concerned he may be a character risk who may not make it through high school or college. (Chapter 2)

Chapters 3-4

Reading Check

1. Jennifer Graves (Chapter 3)

2. Sean Tuohy (Chapter 3)

3. Leigh Anne (Chapter 3)

4. Discus (Chapter 4)

5. The Tuohy family (Chapter 4)

6. Left tackle (Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. It was created because white parents were angry about desegregation. (Chapter 3)

2. He was living with Big Tony at the time he enrolled Steven. (Chapter 3)

3. Sean, like Michael, did not have access to as many resources as a student in a private school. He, presumably like Michael, did not have money for lunch. Sean overcame his circumstances through sports. (Chapter 3)

Chapters 5-6

Reading Check

1. The Nickle-and-Dime offense (Chapter 5)

2. The West Coast Offense (Chapter 5)

3. Academic tutoring (Chapter 6)

4. A driver’s license (Chapter 6)

Short Answer

1. He ran a passing game of short, accurate pass routes that increased the performance of mediocre and talented quarterbacks alike. (Chapter 5)

2. They worry he is disinterested in football and lacks aggression. (Chapter 6)

3. Since tackles do not carry the ball, most fans pay attention to players like running backs and wide receivers, who do. (Chapter 6)

4. Leigh Anne notices that Freeze isn’t taking advantage of his most valuable player and runs plays on the other side of the field. (Chapter 6)

Chapters 7-8

Reading Check

1. Sean Junior (Chapter 7)

2. At Ole Miss (Chapter 7)

3. Ole Miss (Chapter 7)

4. Offensive line (Chapter 8)

5. Freshman year (Chapter 8)

Short Answer

1. The Tuohys are concerned Michael will select a university that they have few connections to and will be unable to keep an eye on Michael. (Chapter 7)

2. The NCAA opens an investigation because they have heard rumors that white families in the South are selecting children from disadvantaged neighborhoods so they will play for their alma maters. There have also been claims that the Tuohys have given Michael gifts in exchange for his enrollment. (Chapter 7)

3. The Tuohys hire a tutor for Michael, and Coach O suggests that Michael take a few internet courses at Brigham Young University to replace his high school grades. Michael is tested and found to have a normal IQ. Because of this, he qualifies for special services, as he is not functioning at his normal IQ level. (Chapter 8)

Chapters 9-10

Reading Check

1. Chris Doleman (Chapter 9)

2. Their coaching abilities (Chapter 10)

3. Antonio Turner (Chapter 10)

4. Escapes/runs away (Chapter 10)

Short Answer

1. He liked to eat and had difficulty staying under 300 pounds. He was slow as a left tackle. (Chapter 9)

2. He chose not to address his players after their unexpected first-round playoff loss to the Vikings. (Chapter 9)

3. He was hired for his success in recruiting Black players. Ole Miss had a reputation for being racist because of its history. (Chapter 10)

Chapters 11-12

Reading Check

1. Denise “Dee Dee” (Chapter 11)

2. Delvin Lane (Chapter 11)

3. Michael Jordan (Chapter 11)

4. Ten hours of community service (Chapter 12)

Short Answer

1. Michael was often hungry. He loved his mother and wanted to stay with her, even though she was not equipped to care for him due to her drug addictions. Michael worried often about being taken from her. (Various chapters)

2. Michael encounters several people in his early life who possessed the talents to become professional athletes but failed due to a variety of environmental pressures. On the other hand, enormous lineman Michael developed his uncharacteristically graceful skills by emulating his own hero, basketball star Michael Jordan. (Various chapters)