Sports fans who saw the 2009 film “The Blind Side” were probably drawn to the opening sequence. Sandra Bullock narrates the gruesome video of a career-altering injury to Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann in the 1980s. Theismann, his team’s most valued asset, was hit from behind after the left tackle let famed defender Lawrence Taylor ravage through the line. The injury was such a landmark event in the history of the league that it bolstered the value of the league’s left tackles, those responsible for protecting “the blind side” of right-handed quarterbacks as they drop back to throw. As Bullock’s character says, “Every Southern woman knows that the first check you write every month is for the mortgage, but the second check you write is for the insurance.”

The assessment in the film is nearly right on. Quarterbacks (“the mortgage”) are the highest paid players by position, averaging $1.97 million per year in salary. Offensive linemen rank third at $1.27 million, though this figure includes not just the highly paid tackles (“the insurance”) but also guards and centers, who make less.

Here is the complete list, courtesy of Sports Illustrated‘s:

1. Quarterback – $1.97 million
2. Defensive end – $1.58 million
3. Offensive lineman -$1.27 million
4. Defensive tackle – $1.22 million
5. Cornerback – $1.2 million
6. Linebacker – $1.17 million
7. Wide receiver – $1.05 million
8. Running back – $957,000
9. Safety – $947,000
10. Kicker/Punter – $868,000
11. Tight end – $863,000

Now, let’s take a look at the other three major sports and see how their average yearly salaries break down by position:

National Basketball Association, courtesy of USA Today:

1. Center – $4.67 million
2. Shooting guard – $4.5 million
3. Power forward – $4.3 million
4. Small forward – $3.77 million
5. Point guard – $3.67 million

Major League Baseball, courtesy of Sports Illustrated:

1. Designated hitter (which is a puzzling term, considering these players play for a short period of time during the game and don’t play in the field) – $6.69 million
2. First baseman – $5.36 million
3. Third baseman – $4.68 million
4. Outfielder – $3.72 million
5. Shortstop – $3 million
6. Pitcher* – $2.7 million
7. Second baseman – $2.34 million
8. Catcher – $2.16 million

National Hockey League, courtesy of USA Today:

1. Center – $2.32 million
2. Defenseman – $2.3 million
3. Goaltender – $2.28 million
3. Left wing – $2.19 million
4. Right wing – $1.92 million

**Major League Soccer, courtesy of A Beautiful Numbers Game:

1. Forwards – $96,000
2. Defenders – $78,038
3. Goalkeepers – $69,833

*Starting pitchers are worth decidedly more than relievers. Starters earn $3.98 million on average, and relievers earn $1.81 million. Closers, relief pitchers groomed to pitch ninth innings, are the most valuable relievers, though and can earn star-level salaries.

**Figures represent not averages but medians, as this statistic was more readily available during research.