Since its 2009 release, the film The Blind Side has grossed over $300 million and it helped give Sandra Bullock her first and only Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The movie did a lot of great things for the individuals involved, except for the person that the entire story is based on.
On Wednesday, Michael Oher was asked if a minor altercation with defensive end Kony Ealy was an indication that he has something to prove following his decline over the last couple of years as a member of the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans. The question caused the Carolina Panthers offensive tackle to break off into a rant about why he doesn't like The Blind Side.
"I'm not trying to prove anything. 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. That's taken away from my football. That's why people criticize me. That's why people look at me every single play.''
Just seven months after getting selected by the Ravens with the 23rd pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Oher's life story was being told in theaters everywhere. Understandably, it was a lot of attention for the then 23-year-old to handle. Hopefully, Oher can turn his career around and find success this season with his third team in three years.
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[via theScore]
