Former NFL player Michael Oher, whose life was portrayed in the 2009 film The Blind Side, has filed a petition in a Tennessee court claiming that a pivotal aspect of the story, involving his adoption by a wealthy white family to uplift themselves at his cost, was a fabricated falsehood intended for their own gain. The film featured Sandra Bullock in the lead role.
Filed in Shelby County, Tennessee, probate court, a 14-page petition asserts that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, the individuals who welcomed Michael Oher into their home during his high school years, did not adopt him as previously portrayed. According to the petition, less than three months after Oher’s 18th birthday in 2004, the couple allegedly deceived him into signing a document designating them as his conservators. This document granted them the power to engage in business transactions on his behalf.
Michael Oher Claims To Have Received No Compensation
According to the petition, the Tuohys allegedly leveraged their conservatorship authority to negotiate an agreement that resulted in substantial royalties for them and their biological children from the profits of an Oscar-winning film that grossed over $300 million. Meanwhile, Michael Oher reportedly received no compensation for the story that heavily relied on his experiences. Despite this, the Tuohys have continued to refer to Oher as their adopted son, using this claim to support their foundation and Leigh Anne Tuohy’s (played by Sandra Bullock in the film) endeavors as an author and motivational speaker.
“The lie of Michael’s adoption is one upon which Co-Conservators Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy have enriched themselves at the expense of their Ward, the undersigned Michael Oher,” the legal filing says. “Michael Oher discovered this lie to his chagrin and embarrassment in February of 2023, when he learned that the Conservatorship to which he consented on the basis that doing so would make him a member of the Tuohy family, in fact, provided him no familial relationship with the Tuohys.”
The Tuohy family has not responded to phone calls as of Monday, with attempts made to reach them at the listed numbers. Their attorney, Steve Farese, stated that he wouldn’t provide any comments to ESPN on Monday and mentioned that the family intends to submit a legal response to address the allegations within the upcoming weeks.
Sean Tuohy Responds To Michael Oher’s Allegations
In response to Oher’s allegations, Sean Tuohy expressed his surprise to the Daily Memphian website and conveyed that the Tuohys had not gained any financial benefits from the movie. He clarified that their earnings were derived from a portion of the proceeds related to Michael Lewis’ book, which served as the basis for the film.
“We’re devastated,” Sean Tuohy told the outlet. “It’s upsetting to think we would make money off any of our children. But we’re going to love Michael at 37 just like we loved him at 16.”
In the filed petition, Oher is requesting the court to terminate the Tuohys’ conservatorship and to impose a restraining order preventing them from utilizing his name and image. Additionally, the petition calls for a comprehensive audit of the earnings the Tuohys accrued through Oher’s name, along with the couple being required to provide him with his rightful portion of the profits. The petition also seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
The Blind Side is available for rent or purchase on Google Play.
Source: ESPN
