Former NFL player Michael Oher, whose life inspired the Oscar-winning film The Blind Side, has claimed that the Tuohy family never adopted him. Oher has taken legal action against them as he accuses the family of deception and financial exploitation. While the Tuohys were portrayed as his adoptive parents in the film, it allegedly turns out that they never legally adopted Michael Oher. This revelation has sparked a legal battle and sent the internet into a frenzy over the truth behind such an inspiring story.
Michael Oher’s claims and lawsuit explained
The former Baltimore Ravens player has filed a petition in a Tennessee court. He accuses Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy of misleading him when he signed documents that made them his conservators.
These papers granted the Tuohys control over his contracts and business dealings, but Oher believed they also adopted him into their family. Oher’s legal petition alleges that Tuohys used his name and story, particularly with ‘The Blind Side,’ for their own benefit.
According to the legal filing, Michael Oher discovered in February 2023 that the conservatorship did not establish a familial relationship with the Tuohys. Apparently, the 37-year-old was unaware that it would grant the family control over his contracts.
With the lawsuit, Michael Oher seeks to terminate this conservatorship and gain compensation for profits earned from his story. He also wants to hold the Tuohys accountable for their alleged misrepresentation.
The Blind Side’s lasting impact
For the uninitiated, The Blind Side was a massive success when it came out in 2009. The movie was based on the true story of Michael Oher’s life and the Tuohy family’s decision to adopt him. It showed how he went from being a homeless teenager to having a successful NFL career.
Directed by John Lee Hancock and adapted from the book ‘The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game,’ the film earned over $300 million on a $29 million budget. The movie’s narrative of triumph over adversity connected with audiences all over the world.
The Blind Side was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Sandra Bullock won the Best Actress Oscar for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy. The story turned Michael Oher into an inspiration and earned immense respect for the Tuohys who supported him.
The true story of Michael Oher’s life
Born to a struggling drug-addict mother, Oher faced homelessness in his early years. Before his 11th birthday, Oher went into foster care. His life took a turn when he met the Tuohy family, who welcomed him as their own.
With plenty of support from the Tuohys, Michael Oher pursued his calling and went on to become a successful NFL player. However, his recent legal action has questioned the nature of his relationship with the Tuohys and the extent to which they were legally tied.
He played college football for the University of Mississippi and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. Oher played as an offensive lineman in the NFL for eight seasons, even winning a Super Bowl with the Ravens.
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