In August 2004, Michael Oher was living with Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy and their two children in Memphis. Oher, who had bounced around several foster homes, was a top prospect to play major college football and seemed headed to the N.F.L. when the Tuohys took him in.
But there were complications. Because the Tuohys were not Oher’s parents, providing support to him could have been seen as breaking N.C.A.A. rules against providing benefits to recruits. As significant donors to the University of Mississippi, one of the colleges recruiting Oher, the Tuohys might subject themselves and the school to penalties in case of a violation.