NFL Athlete Michael Oher Alleges The Blind Side Movie Plot Was a Lie
Former NFL athlete Michael Oher has made shocking allegations about the plot of the 2010 film The Blind Side, claiming that a key aspect of the story was a lie. The movie, which earned Sandra Bullock an Oscar for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy, depicts the heartwarming true story of how the Tuohy family adopted Oher, a young athlete struggling with homelessness, and helped him achieve his dreams in football. However, Oher now argues that he was never actually adopted by the Tuohys, but instead coerced into a conservatorship that allowed the family to profit off his life story.
In a petition filed on August 14, Oher requested the termination of his legal relationship with the Tuohy family and sought to end the conservatorship. He also demanded that the family stop using his name and likeness and claimed that he is owed profits from the movie. Oher alleges that he was deceived into signing documents that were not adoption papers but instead gave the Tuohys the right to make business deals related to his life story.
According to Oher’s petition, the Tuohys struck a deal with 20th Century Fox for the movie adaptation of The Blind Side, earning them $225,000 for the use of Oher’s story, along with a percentage of the defined net proceeds. The film grossed over $300 million, but Oher claims he never received any payment while the Tuohys made millions. Both Sean Tuohy and his son, Sean Tuohy Jr., deny that the family earned millions from the film.
Furthermore, Oher’s petition alleges that he unknowingly signed a Life Story Right Agreement in 2007, granting 20th Century Fox exclusive rights to use his name and likeness based on his life story. Oher maintains that he was never informed or explained the contents of the contract and never willingly signed such a document.
The Tuohy family’s attorney responded to the allegations by stating that Oher had demanded $15 million from them or threatened to spread negative stories about them in the press. They claim to have been upfront about the establishment of the conservatorship and assert that Oher has attempted similar actions in the past.
This legal action marks the first time that Oher has taken legal steps against the Tuohys, although he has previously expressed discomfort with how he was portrayed in The Blind Side. In a 2015 interview, Oher criticized the film for downplaying his intelligence and creating unrealistic expectations about his football skills.
As the legal battle unfolds, the public awaits further developments in this controversial case. The outcome could potentially shed new light on the real story behind The Blind Side and perhaps prompt a reevaluation of Oher’s role and portrayal.
