Panthers sign OT Michael Oher to two-year contract
The Carolina Panthers have signed offensive tackle Michael Oher to a two-year deal, the team announced Friday.
The terms of the deal were not released.
The 28-year-old Oher was drafted 23rd overall out of Ole Miss by the Baltimore Ravens in 2009. He spent last season with the Tennessee Titans, who released him last month. He reunites with offensive line coach John Matsko in Carolina, who coached him in the same role in Oher's first two seasons in Baltimore.
"I'm excited to be joining an organization that knows how to win," Oher told Panthers.com. "They've won the past two division championships, and I'm excited to be a part of it. When I came here on a visit, the culture was great. They're very into winning and doing everything possible to win."
Oher started every game in each of his first five seasons with Baltimore, and logged 91 consecutive starts before a toe injury ended his season in 2014. He was a member of Baltimore's 2012 Super Bowl-winning team at left tackle, on an offense that set a franchise record for regular-season points scored. He joins a Carolina team that has won two straight NFC South titles.
"We look forward to having Michael be a part of what we are building here," head coach Ron Rivera said. "He's a pro who understands what it takes to win. A big part of why we pursued Michael was his relationship with offensive line coach John Matsko and the opportunity to have him work with (assistant offensive line coach) Ray Brown. We are excited to have him."
Oher's ascent to the professional ranks was the basis for the book and subsequent Oscar-winning film of the same name, "The Blind Side."
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