Is it right to say that a young man who is leaving college and trying to get his first professional job has “character issues”—especially when you’ve never met the person? That’s what Michael Oher, the Baltimore Ravens’ left tackle and subject of The Blind Side, would like to know.
When Oher, whose rough-and-tumble upbringing was the source for a best-selling book and a blockbuster movie starring Sandra Bullock, was entering the 2009 NFL Draft, ESPN analyst Todd McShay downgraded the University of Mississippi product for unspecified “character issues.” Oher had never been arrested and had a good reputation with coaches and teammates, but McShay’s characterization probably played a part in Oher slipping to the 23rd pick in that year’s draft.
Two years later Oher is still baffled and angered by McShay’s actions, not least because he’s never explained them. In the wake of the recent NFL Draft, when players like Ryan Mallett of Arkansas fell due to “character issues,” Oher decided to revisit the issue and went onto Twitter to blast McShay.
“OK i’m so tired of the character issues they are putting on ppl!” Oher wrote.
“What is character issues?!? Somebody tell me?”
“Todd McShay said I had character [issues] and he never met me! What if someone was to talk about his son that way!”
“I never got in trouble with the law … yes sir no sir guy. But this Todd McShay guy acts if he knows ppl on a personal level get real!”
“I just dont get it!!!!”
“Is Todd McShay on Twitter??”
Turns out McShay is, so Oher sent him a series of questions:
“@McShay13 tell me what are character issues because I dont know … you said I had them and you never met me?!”
“@McShay13 what if someone was to talk about your son … and he had character issues!! Thats how my family felt”
“@McShay13 you need to meet ppl first and then judge them not go off what you hear!!”
“@McShay13 And I respect Mel Kiper way more then I respect you … you’re a joke!!”
McShay did not respond to any of Oher’s questions. Can we get these guys together for a meeting? Because that’d be fun to watch.
It sounds like McShay made some dumb comments. But if you’ve ever watched some of the draft analysts, it’s clear that’s not a rarity. But it’s been two years, what is Oher so upset about? He’s a professional athlete, millionaire, doing well…why is he so crazed about comments that are two years old which nobody really took to heart? And besides, Oher is dead wrong on a few fronts. It is the job of analysts and talking heads to give their opinions. You really think all the TV guys have personally met and talked with the hundreds of players who… Read more »
Part of the problem is that it could have hurt his draft position. That would have affected his contract. Oher probably should have sued him for defamation, but why should McShey be granted immunity from criticism? He’s a public figure and if he has a problem with it, all he has to do is explain his self.