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Early in his career, Michael Oher quickly became one of the most famous players in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers offensive tackle was the subject of the 2009 critically acclaimed movie, “The Blind Side.” While the film was well-received by audiences, the subject of the film has made it clear it’s not one of his favorites.
After scuffling with Kony Early during Panthers’ minicamp on Wednesday, Oher told reporters the movie has been detrimental to his NFL career when he was asked if he felt like he had to prove himself.
“I’m not trying to prove anything,” Oher explained. “People look at me, and they take things away from me because of a movie. They don’t really see the skills and the kind of player I am. That’s why I get downgraded so much, because of something off the field.
“This stuff, calling me a bust, people saying if I can play or not… that has nothing to do with football. It’s something else off the field. That’s why I don’t like that movie.”
Oher was selected with the No. 23 pick by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. The Panthers are the 29-year-old’s third team in seven seasons. Oher was released by the Tennessee Titans in February and signed a two-year, $7 million contact with the Panthers in March.
Oher had the worst season of his career with the Titans last year. Pro Football Focus graded Oher as the 74th best tackle out of 78 for the 2014 season.
