Retired NFL player, Michael Oher, whose story inspired the 2009 film 'The Blind Side,' has opened up about and filed a petition with a Tennessee court alleging Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy lied about adopting him when he was a high schooler.
The 14 page petition alleges less than three months after he turned 18 (2004), instead of formally adopting him, the couple "falsely advised" him to sign a document making them his conservators, giving them legal power to complete business deals in his name.
"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. 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."
His story rose to prominence with the 2009 film 'The Blind Side' which starred Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Quinton Aaron, which earned Sandra an Oscar for her performance.
It grossed over $300 million, and followed Oher's journey rising as a football star with the Tuohy's guidance, seeing him be adopted by them during high school.
"Since at least August of 2004, Conservators have allowed Michael, specifically, and the public, generally, to believe that Conservators adopted Michael and have used that untruth to gain financial advantages for themselves and the foundations which they own or which they exercise control. All monies made in said manner should in all conscience and equity be disgorged and paid over to the said ward, Michael Oher."
The petition claims the movie paid the Tuohy's and their children $225,000 each as well as 2.5% of its "defined net proceeds."
It also alleged that while the deal allowed the family to profit from the movie, a separate contract signed by Oher (allegedly) appears to "give away" the life rights to his story "without any payment whatsoever."
Oher alleges he doesn't know "whether the signature was forged" adding he at "no time ever willingly or knowingly signed this document," or was an explanation provided to him.
Now 37 years old, Oher alleges the family used their power as conservators to strike a deal that paid them and their children millions in royalties, while he didn't receive anything for a story "that would not have existed without him."
The petition is asking the court to end the conservatorship and issue an injunction to stop them using his name and likeness. It is also seeking a full accounting of the money earned using Oher's name, and to have them pay him his fair share of profits, along with unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Now a retired athlete, Oher became an All-America left tackle, and a draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2009, once he graduated from the University of Mississippi.
He has previously voiced his true thoughts on the movie, noting he felt it has "taken away" from his football career.
"People look at me, and they take things away from me because of a movie,. They don't really see the skills and the kind of player I am. That's why I get downgraded so much, because of something off the field."
"Offensive linemen don't get looked at. Nobody is paying attention to the offensive line. But me? I'm getting watched for everything. I know what type of player I am. Everybody else that I know knows what type of player I am. So that kind of stuff doesn't worry me.''
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