Bengals Great Willie Anderson Blames ‘The Blind Side' Movie For Hall Of Fame Snub

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Willie Anderson is a three-time finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he still has yet to be enshrined in Canton. And he has an interesting theory about why that is.

In an appearance on Thursday's Up & Adams, the former All-Pro offensive tackle said The Blind Side movie has tainted public perception of his position. According to Anderson, the 2009 Oscar-nomincated film perpetuates a narrative that left tackle is a more valuable position on the O-line than his spot on the right side.

"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."

The Blind Side film was based on a book by Michael Lewis about former NFL left tackle Michael Oher. So Adams asked Anderson if he believed the movie impacted his own Hall of Fame chances.

"Absolutely," he replied. "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.

"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."

Former Bengals Star Willie Anderson Blames ‘The Blind Side' Movie For Hall Of Fame Snub

Willie Anderson has been a has been a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist each of the past three years and a semifinalist for four consecutive years.

(Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

Drafted in the first round (No. 10 overall) of the 1996 Draft, Anderson played 13 seasons in the NFL. During his career, he racked up three first-team All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl nods. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2021, and he became a member of the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor in 2022.

But he'll have to wait at least another year for that coveted gold jacket.