Familyįamily is another major theme of the book. Lewis acknowledges the way in which football changed Michael's life, but still has pointed observations about how the system does not seem to be designed to support its most important (and, in his view, vulnerable) individuals.
Likewise, he shows how the athletes bring in a great deal of money to the universities where they play, but do not receive any form of payment-despite the fact that the time commitment of games and practices significantly cuts into their academics.
In particular, he shows how college coaches relentlessly pursue players after learning about their performance on the field, but often make little effort to make them feel at ease in the greater student population. While showing how Michael benefited from his athletic ability, Lewis also reveals some of the sport's problems relating to the recruitment process and team support.
While the book is a chronicle of Micheal Oher's life, it also provides an in-depth look at the culture surrounding American football, critiquing how players are treated by coaches, scouts, and fans.
