Sandra Bullock’s ‘The Blind Side’ Ruined Inspiration Michael Oher’s NFL Career

It was the film that propelled Sandra Bullock’s already luminous star even higher, but for the inspiration behind “The Blind Side,” it ruined his career. Michael Oher said he was blindsided by the effect of the film on his career as a player in the National Football League.

In an interview with ESPN.com, Oher, 29, lamented the way the 2009 critically-acclaimed and commercially-successful film has become a burden for him. He blamed the movie for people’s perception of him, saying he gets “downgraded so much” because of the film.

“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,” he told the sports site.

This isn’t the first time Oher has spoken negatively about the film. He was quoted by the media in 2012 saying he was tired of the movie.

The semi-biographical drama, based on Michael Lewis’ 2006 book “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game,” centers on Oher’s adoption by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy and the rise from his impoverished beginnings to become a sought-after football player. The film ends with Oher being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.

Bullock took home multiple Best Actress awards for her role as Oher’s adoptive mother, Leigh Anne. She picked up an Academy Award, Critics’ Choice, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award among others. The film was also nominated for Best Picture.

Since then, Bullock’s career has shot up even higher. She has starred in the comedy “The Heat” alongside Melissa McCarthy and in “Gravity” opposite George Clooney. Both films were critically and commercially successful, with “Gravity” earning another best actress Oscar nod for Bullock.

While “The Blind Side” only brought good luck for the 50-year-old actress, the same cannot be said for Oher. After helping the Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl in 2012, he found himself without a team in 2013 when his contract was not renewed. He signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2014 but was released during the offseason after he suffered a toe injury. He is currently signed with the Carolina Panthers as an offensive tackle for a $7 million, two-year contract.

Quinton Aaron, who played Oher in the film, appeared to have suffered the same fate as Oher. He has done several TV show guest appearances after starring in the film. He also has minor roles in a few films, including the 2014 apocalyptic thriller “Left Behind.” But he has yet to make a big splash since starring in the film.