Subject of The Blind Side: I don't like The Blind Side


2009's Oscar-nominated The Blind Side — the highest-grossing sports drama in Hollywood history — propelled its subject, Carolina Panthers tackle Michael Oher, to new levels of fame. But while moviegoers clearly loved The Blind Side, Michael Oher would prefer you forget all about it.
"People look at me, and they take things away from me because of a movie," said Oher in an interview with 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. 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 started for the Baltimore Ravens in their 2012 Super Bowl win, but has struggled in the years since, dogged by a toe injury that ultimately led to his release from the Tennessee Titans. He now plays as the left tackle for the Carolina Panthers.
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Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.
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