Cincinnati Bengals great Willie Anderson has yet to enter the Hall of Fame despite being a finalist for three consecutive years.
Interestingly, Anderson equates some of the issue to the long-running reputation that left tackle is more important than the right side — an idea helped along by “The Blind Side” movie starring Sandra Bullock.
Appearing on “Up & Adams” recently, Anderson talked about this dynamic.
“I think the media had a bias because they didn’t understand the importance of the guys we blocked over there 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.”
Other than a logjam of his fellow offensive linemen actually entering the Hall in recent years, Anderson will continue to benefit from the growing understanding of the right side’s importance now that pass-rushers are so efficient on either side of the line.
Anderson’s full comments:
3-time HOF finalist Willie Anderson blames the movie "The Blind Side" for why he's not in Canton yet 😭🔊
It's been 18 YEARS since a RIGHT TACKLE has been inducted into the @ProFootballHOF 👀@BigWillie7179 @heykayadams @OLMasterminds pic.twitter.com/m1hpJkzUSP
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) July 18, 2024
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]