The Baltimore Ravens right tackle, selected 23rd overall, was born to a crack-addicted mother. He was homeless when a well-to-do white family was drawn to the African-American teenager and helped make a difference in his life.

The life of Oher (pronounced oar) was first told in a best-selling book by Michael Lewis that has been made into a Warner Brothers film. The Blind Side will be shown in theaters beginning Nov. 20th.

Oher immediately started for Baltimore, playing at right tackle but also showing his versatility and grasp of fundamentals when he replaced an injured Jared Gaither for two games at left tackle.

USA TODAY takes a closer look at Oher:

THE PLAYER

• Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 310.

• Hometown: Memphis

• College highlights: Started all 13 games at Mississippi in 2008 and earned Jacobs Blocking Trophy as SEC's top blocker. Played right guard as a true freshman in 2005 before moving to left tackle the following season and establishing himself there. Started every game but one during college career. Served as team captain.

• Scouting report: Tremendous athlete for his size. Does not have to work to maintain his weight the way some linemen do and he carries it well. Is very light on his feet. Hard to knock off balance. Upside larger than it is for most first-rounders because he did not play football until his junior year of high school.

• Quotable: "A lot of times you see guys come into this league as if they're entitled and all that. Michael comes to work and is a gentleman. He seems to be handling everything fine. He can be classified as a good rookie, a guy that works hard, keeps his mouth shut and is getting better." —Ravens center Matt Birk

THE PERSON

• The Blind Side: "Obviously, it's a special thing. Not too many people have the opportunity to have a movie made about them. But right now, I've just been focused on being an NFL player."

• Change anything about past? "I wouldn't change anything. It helped me grow up fast. It taught me a lot of things."

• Advice to homeless youths: "No matter how hard times may seem, don't let that get you down. If you want to do something, anything is possible. Anything."

• Changing positions: "It's been really difficult. I got used to the right side and going over to the left, it's a big difference. You've got to have your game down to be able to do something like that."

• Ray Lewis: "Ray Lewis is a guy I've been watching for a long time, the way he plays the game. He's very emotional. It's very important to him and there's a certain amount of fire inside him."

• Ravens future: "I feel we have a ton of young talent here. We have a great staff. I think we can be good for a long time if everybody keeps working hard."

• Life after football: "I really don't know right now. I'm just focused on the task at hand."

• NFL dream: "Being considered one of the best linemen to play the game. Winning games, playing at a Pro Bowl-type level and, hopefully, winning a couple of Super Bowls."

Enlarge By Larry French, Getty Images Michael Oher has started at both right tackle and left tackle for the Ravens this season.