Former NFL offensive tackle Willie Anderson has blamed the film, ‘The Blind Side,’ for his exclusion from the Hall of Fame.
Anderson has the credentials for induction but remains out despite being a three-time finalist, and he reckons it’s because of the movie.
The 49-year-old spoke to Kay Adams on her ‘Up & Adams’ podcast this week and argued that ‘The Blind Side’ left everyone believing that the left tackle was more important than the right tackle.
“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,” he said. “The whole ‘Blind Side’ thing got taken out because of the movie and the right side guys got pushed away.”
A surprised Adams asked whether he believed the movie prevented him from going into the HoF, to which he responded, “Absolutely.”
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Willie Anderson Backed His Theory Up With His Coaching Experience
As noted above, Anderson has the credentials to suggest he should have been enshrined. The former Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens tackle is a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro. He is enshrined in the Bengals’ Ring of Honor.
He backed up his theory with claims that the youngsters he worked with at his Lineman Academy mostly wanted to play on the left.
“You got guys who are 18, 19 years old that will tell you, ‘I only want to play left tackle.’ And I say, ‘Go look at what Penei Sewell’s contract was for the Lions this year. Over $100 million,” he added. “The kids, their parents and the media pushing left tackle is a huge deal. But they don’t realize guards are getting paid crazy money right now.
“It’s definitely changed for the better, I think, because these rushers are coming from everywhere now. Right side, left guard, over the center, everywhere.”
