Michael Oher supports Freeze after Ole Miss resignation

Free-agent offensive tackle Michael Oher showed support Thursday for his former high school coach, Hugh Freeze, who resigned last week after it was reported a number dialed on his phone belonged to an escort service.

Oher played for Freeze at Briarcrest Christian School before moving on to Ole Miss.

"Without coach Freeze there is no Michael Oher and no 'The Blind Side,'" Oher told Josh Peter of USA TODAY Sports in a text message.

Oher went on to star with the Rebels before becoming a first-round pick in 2009, and Freeze was hired by Ole Miss in 2011.

"He is a man of God and a man full of integrity," Oher said. "I don't know the full story but I'm willing to bet that everyone in the world had made a mistake that they have wanted someone to forgive them for."

Freeze and Ole Miss were are also facing an NCAA investigation over 21 allegations, most notably that the former head coach showed a lack of institutional control.