Highly decorated offensive lineman Willie Anderson has a theory as to why he hasn’t been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and it revolves around a popular football film.
During an appearance on “Up & Adams” on Thursday, Anderson claimed that the Oscar-nominated 2009 movie “The Blind Side” helped perpetuate a narrative that the left tackle was the more valuable position on the O-line rather than his spot on the right side.
“The Blind Side” book by Michael Lewis and subsequent movie told the story of former NFL left tackle Michael Oher’s upbringing with the Tuohy family.
“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 told Adams during the interview. “The whole ‘Blind Side’ thing got taken out because of the movie and the right side guys got pushed away.”
Adams appeared to be a bit taken aback by the comment and asked him directly if he felt the movie impacted his bid to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio.
“Absolutely,” he replied.
Anderson’s resume certainly makes a compelling case for his place in the Football Hall of Fame after he notched three first-team All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl nods before his enshrinement into the Bengals’ ring of honor.
The right tackle — who was born in Alabama and played his college ball at Auburn — was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2021 after he played 13 years in the NFL — 12 of which were for the Bengals — and was taken 10th overall in the 1996 NFL Draft.
Anderson pointed to his time working with young football players at his eponymous Lineman Academy, saying the aspiring pros have largely only wanted to play the left side.
“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, Anderson said. “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.”
While Anderson has yet to be inducted, he’s been a three-time finalist for the Hall of Fame.