NFL legend Willie Anderson bizarrely blames The Blind Side movie for being continuously snubbed for Hall of Fame
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Did 'The Blind Side' cost Cincinnati Bengals legend Willie Anderson a chance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
The five-time All-Pro right tackle claimed exactly that to NFL Network's Kay Adams, saying that the book and movie by the same name helped create a myth that left tackle was the most valuable position on the offensive line.
'The media had a bias because they just didn't understand the importance of the guys we blocked over there [on the right side] were some of the best rushers of all time,' Anderson said. 'The whole blind-side thing got taken out because of the movie and the right side guys got pushed away.'
Anderson, who played from 1996 until 2008, may have a point. After all, it is members of the media who select inductees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and there was undoubtedly a fixation with the left of the offensive lines following the publication of the Michael Lewis book in 2006.
On the other hand, Anderson's candidacy likely suffered due to his status as a Bengals player, who appeared in only a single playoff game during his tenure in Cincinnati. He would go on to appear in three playoff games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 before retiring.
Bengals RT Willie Anderson pictured in 2000 (left) and after his retirement in 2003 (right)
The film and the bestseller on which it is based tell the story of a young Michael Oher
The term 'blind side' refers to the area of the field that a quarterback can't see when throwing a football. In most cases, with a right-handed quarterback, that leaves left tackles protecting the blind side against opposing pass rushers on that end of the line of scrimmage. In the case of a southpaw signal caller, it's the right tackle that protects the quarterback's blind side.
The film and the bestseller on which it is based tell the story of a budding left tackle, Michael Oher, who moved from foster care into the home of a wealthy, white Memphis couple, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, en route to the NFL.
According to Anderson, the book and film helped to perpetuate the belief that left tackles are the stars of NFL offensive lines at the exclusion over the other four positions.
Bolstering his argument is the fact that no right tackle has been enshrined in Canton, Ohio since 2006, when the Dallas Cowboys' Rayfield Wright was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
As for his claim that right tackles have been asked to block some of the best pass rushers in NFL history, Anderson is right again.
Michael Oher (center) is seen with his caretakers Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy
Anderson went into more detail on social media, saying the film created a misconception
Hall of Famers such as Reggie White, Kevin Greene, Charles Haley, and Michael Strahan tormented right tackles during their playing days, even as the media began putting more emphasis on left tackles.
As a result, Anderson explained, young players grow up wanting to play left tackle or be moved off the offensive line entirely.
'You got some kids here who are 18, 19 years old that will tell you – because I train kids out of my academy in Atlanta – ''I only want to play left tackle,''' Anderson said.
Fortunately, Anderson explained, NFL teams know the increasing value of right tackles, guards and centers.
'I say go look at what [Detroit Lions right tackle] Penei Sewell's contract was for the Detroit Lions this year,' Anderson said. 'It was over $100 million.
'[Young players] don't realize guards are getting paid crazy money right now,' he continued. 'It's definitely changed for the better, I think, because… they're coming from everywhere now, these rushers: Right side, right guard, left guard, over the center, everywhere.'
