Panthers reward Michael Oher for protecting Cam Newton's blind side

The Carolina Panthers have signed left tackle Michael Oher to a three-year, $21.6 million extension with $9.5 million guaranteed, FOX Sports NFL Insider Mike Garafolo confirmed Friday. He now is under contract through the 2019 season.

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#Panthers OT Michael Oher signed a 3 year contract extension worth $21.6M in new money averaging $7.2M with $9.5M guaranteed, source said
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 17, 2016

Oher, 30, had a strong bounce-back effort in his first season with the Panthers in 2015. He started all 16 regular-season games and all three postseason games.

Carolina's offensive line provided the protection necessary for QB Cam Newton's MVP performance and also led the way for the NFL's second-best rushing attack. A question mark heading into the season, the line's strong play was a key factor in the Panthers' charge to the Super Bowl.

Oher, whose rags-to-riches story was chronicled in the film "The Blind Side," was the 23rd overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. After five seasons with the Ravens, he played for the Tennessee Titans in 2014 before signing with the Panthers in 2015.