Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Michael Oher has come to peace with his character in the movie the "The Blind Side." The movie won actress Sandra Bullock a best actress Oscar award, and is still watched by families and football fans across the nation.
Oher is heading back to his second Super Bowl in his career, and has developed a strong connection with his teammates in Carolina. The Panthers offensive tackle signed a two-year, $7 million dollar deal with the team in March, and has been a key factor on their run to Super Bowl 50.
Since his first day arriving in Carolina, Oher was teased by his teammates over his character in the film. On the other side of the offensive line, right tackle Mike Remmers led the jokes, as he was a fan of the famous Oscar-winning movie prior to becoming teammates with Oher. Oher would receive text messages from Remmers with pictures or videos from the movie, and would jokingly remind him of how to line up in his stance.
While Oher doesn't think the character in the film accurately portrayed him, the Panthers offensive tackle is happy his teammates feel comfortable enough to joke around with him. "When it (the movie) first came out, guys in Baltimore waited a couple years to start bringing it up," said Oher, a former first-round pick by the Ravens in 2009, via ESPN. "I'm happy they can be comfortable around me enough to get me for that stuff, It's fun to me."
Oher's teammates like to joke around with him over the movie, but they all know his importance to the team, as he has been key in protecting quarterback Cam Newton. The Panthers star quarterback is having a career year, and there is no question his offensive line protection is a big reason for his success. Newton told reporters on Wednesday that Oher was a big acquisition this offseason, and how he tried to lure him to Charlotte.
"With the free agent pool, I've sent texts out before, called guys and said, 'We'd love for you to be part of the team.' But Mike was different," said Newton, via NFL Network. "I didn't say, 'I want you to be here.' It was, 'I need you.' That's different. Want and need are two different words, and that's what I used in that text, along with other explicit words before the 'need.' And I think he got the feeling from that."
"That guy is one of the most dedicated players on this team," said Remmers, via ESPN. "He's constantly in here trying to get better, tying to get ready to go for that week." Oher has gotten past a lot of the flaws in the movie regarding his character, and understands why it's highly regarded.
"It was a great movie and inspired so many people," said Oher, via ESPN. "But just hearing so much about it, I like to watch whatever else is on the (videos-on-) demand at the hotels." While Oher chooses not to watch the movie, he is still very connected with his adoptive parents Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy.
The Tuohys attended Sunday's NFC Championship game in Carolina, and were on the field celebrating with Oher after a dominating victory. Oher posted a picture of the three on the field smiling after the big win. The Tuohys will be pulling for Carolina in Super Bowl 50, and Oher will look to win his second Super Bowl since entering the league.
