Shocking revelation: The real story behind The Blind Side family’s adoption of football star
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For a while, the success story of Michael Oher, the star footballer featured in the critically acclaimed 2009 film The Blind Side, was used as an inspiration worldwide.
Oher emerged from a poverty-stricken childhood to attend the University of Mississippi and became a first-round selection in the NFL draft.
In the movie, his adoptive family, the Tuohys, were portrayed as a loving and supportive family who gave him a second chance at life.
But it now appears that the fairytale story was not exactly true.
In a recent legal filing, Oher, now 37, claims he was never officially adopted by the Tuohys. Rather, he was tricked into signing away his legal rights to make money from his name after he turned 18.
In Shelby County, Tennessee, a petition spanning 14 pages has been submitted to the probate court. This petition asserts that the Tuohys utilised their conservatorship arrangement to generate millions of dollars in royalties from the movie, benefiting themselves and their biological children.
'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 petition states.
‘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.’
It's no wonder then that even though the film The Blind Side grossed over $300 million dollars worldwide, Oher has been a vocal critic of the movie.
‘I don’t like that movie,’ he said. According to him, this 'burden' means that people don't take his football skills seriously—all because of something 'off the field', he said in a 2015 interview.
Need a refresher on what happened in the movie? Here’s a clip below:
Credit: Victor Santoyo.
'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.'
Oher's NFL journey spanned eight years, during which he contributed his skills to the Ravens, Titans, and Panthers. Before his professional career, he garnered numerous accolades at Ole Miss (University of Mississippi). This success led him to become a first-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft as an offensive lineman.
Currently, Oher is taking legal action to terminate Tuohy's conservatorship. He is also pursuing an injunction to prevent them from using his identity and image. Additionally, he is seeking an accurate account of the earnings they have reportedly generated using his name, a just portion of the profits, and punitive damages.
Our heartfelt wishes go out to Michael Oher as he pursues legal action. May his inspiring story find the fitting ending it deserves.
Members, we'd love to read what you think about this. Have you had the chance to see the movie? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below!
Oher emerged from a poverty-stricken childhood to attend the University of Mississippi and became a first-round selection in the NFL draft.
In the movie, his adoptive family, the Tuohys, were portrayed as a loving and supportive family who gave him a second chance at life.
But it now appears that the fairytale story was not exactly true.
In a recent legal filing, Oher, now 37, claims he was never officially adopted by the Tuohys. Rather, he was tricked into signing away his legal rights to make money from his name after he turned 18.
The family portrayed in an award-winning Hollywood film reportedly lied to the star footballer they claim to have adopted. Credit: Facebook/Michael Oher.
In Shelby County, Tennessee, a petition spanning 14 pages has been submitted to the probate court. This petition asserts that the Tuohys utilised their conservatorship arrangement to generate millions of dollars in royalties from the movie, benefiting themselves and their biological children.
'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 petition states.
‘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.’
It's no wonder then that even though the film The Blind Side grossed over $300 million dollars worldwide, Oher has been a vocal critic of the movie.
‘I don’t like that movie,’ he said. According to him, this 'burden' means that people don't take his football skills seriously—all because of something 'off the field', he said in a 2015 interview.
Need a refresher on what happened in the movie? Here’s a clip below:
Credit: Victor Santoyo.
'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.'
Oher's NFL journey spanned eight years, during which he contributed his skills to the Ravens, Titans, and Panthers. Before his professional career, he garnered numerous accolades at Ole Miss (University of Mississippi). This success led him to become a first-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft as an offensive lineman.
Currently, Oher is taking legal action to terminate Tuohy's conservatorship. He is also pursuing an injunction to prevent them from using his identity and image. Additionally, he is seeking an accurate account of the earnings they have reportedly generated using his name, a just portion of the profits, and punitive damages.
Our heartfelt wishes go out to Michael Oher as he pursues legal action. May his inspiring story find the fitting ending it deserves.
Members, we'd love to read what you think about this. Have you had the chance to see the movie? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below!
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