Carolina Panthers’ Michael Oher Not a Fan of His Own Movie
CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 17 (UPI) — A tale of a tearful triumph taught moviegoers more about the difficult journey to the NFL, profiled in the 2009 film “The Blind Side.”
But the man profiled in the Oscar-winning movie told ESPN that he doesn’t “like that movie.”
“People look at me, and they take things away from me because of a movie,” Michael Oher told ESPN. “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.”
Since being drafted No. 23 overall in the 2009 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens, the Mississippi product has started 91 games. The Ravens chose not to resign Oher, leading to the five-year, $20 million deal with the Titans. Oher, 29, had several injuries and now plays for the Carolina Panthers. Oher’s current deal is for two years and $7 million. He is due $850,000 this season and $2.35 million next season.
“That’s taken away from my football,” Oher said. “That’s why people criticize me. That’s why people look at me every single play.”
But this isn’t the first time the real Oher and movie version have differed. Several Ravens teammates commented on the differences in Ryan Mink’s 2013 article for the Ravens website.
“He’s nothing like that,” Kelechi Osemele told Mink. “I can’t even imagine Mike being like the guy that they portrayed on the movie.”
The movie grossed more than $300 million.
“The movie showed me not doing something so well that got me here, something I’ve always understood,” Oher told Mink. “Everything else is good, but them showing me not knowing how to play football, that’s what upsets me the most.”
