Michael Oher: ‘Blind Side’ Hurt My Career In The NFL

Michael Oher says the movie The Blind Side hurt his career as a professional football player in the NFL. Oher was the subject of the hit film that earned lovable actress Sandra Bullock an Oscar. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Sandra later became a mother herself, and possibly drew inspiration from her super mom character in the film.

Michael Oher may now be a professional football player, but once, he was a teenager that was taken in by the Tuoghy family and given the opportunity of a lifetime to be apart of a family, and showcase his football skills, which ultimately landed him in the NFL.

The movie documents how Michael came to live with the Tuoghy family and the events that transpired because of it, including racial issues that stemmed from Oher, an African-American coming to live with a the wealthy Caucasian family. However, Oher told ESPN that The Blind Side actually had a negative impact on his current life, despite the rave reviews the film received.

“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.”

The Washington Post reports that in 2009, Michael Oher was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and started 80 games at both left and right tackle in the five seasons he spent with the team. Oher even won a Super Bowl ring with the team in 2012. Unfortunately for Michael, he was not re-signed by the Ravens in 2014 and later signed a four year, $20 million contract with his home state team, the Tennessee Titans.

However, Michael yet again had a run of bad luck when he missed the last five games of the season with a toe injury and was released from the Titans in February.

In March, Oher signed another contract to play with yet another team and became a member of the Carolina Panthers. Michael Oher singed a two-year, $7 million deal with the Panthers and is fully expected to be the starting left tackle at the beginning of the 2015-2016 season. Although, he says The Blind Side follows him everywhere he goes.

“That’s taken away from my football. That’s why people criticize me. That’s why people look at me every single play.”

What are your thoughts on Michael Oher saying The Blind Side hurt his career?

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