NFL Player Michael Oher Seeks End to Conservatorship in Lawsuit Against Adoptive Family
Former NFL player Michael Oher, whose life story was depicted in the movie The Blind Side, has filed a petition in a Tennessee court to terminate the conservatorship held by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy over him. Oher alleges that the Tuohys promised to adopt him but instead established a conservatorship that deprived him of millions of dollars.
Oher’s petition accuses the Tuohys of failing to fulfill their responsibilities in providing regular financial accountings and acting in his best interest. The petition highlights Oher’s troubled upbringing, as he became a ward of the state of Tennessee at the age of 11 and endured periods of homelessness. It suggests that the Tuohys exploited Oher’s athletic talent for their own gain, masquerading their conservatorship as an adoption.
According to the petition, the Tuohys provided Oher with legal documents that he believed were adoption papers. However, it was later revealed that these papers appointed the Tuohys as his conservators, granting them ultimate control over his contractual negotiations. Oher claims that the Tuohys misled him into believing he was being legally adopted, while they gained financial advantage from his story and likeness.
The petition reveals that the Tuohys negotiated contracts related to the movie The Blind Side on behalf of Oher and their family, securing significant financial benefits for themselves and their other children. Oher asserts that these contracts were made without his knowledge or consent, and he questions whether his signature on one of the documents was forged.
In response to the lawsuit, Sean Tuohy expressed devastation and denied any financial motivation, stating that they would continue to love Oher as part of their family. The Tuohys’ lawyer, Steve Farese, declined to comment on the matter.
Michael Oher’s remarkable journey from poverty to the NFL was immortalized in Michael Lewis’ book The Blind Side: Evolution of the Game and its subsequent film adaptation. Oher’s success as an offensive lineman earned him a scholarship to the University of Mississippi and a professional football career that spanned eight seasons.
Oher’s legal action seeks accountability from the Tuohys, demanding a sworn accounting of the money that should have been rightfully paid to him. The petition alleges that the Tuohys misrepresented themselves as Oher’s adoptive parents over an extended period, which allowed them to reap financial gains. Oher aims to rectify this situation and reclaim what rightfully belongs to him.
As the case unfolds, Oher’s story highlights the complexities and challenges that can arise in situations where vulnerable individuals become entangled in legal arrangements. The outcome of this lawsuit will shed light on the rights and responsibilities of conservators and the potential exploitation of those under their care.
Michael Oher’s lawsuit against his adoptive family has garnered significant attention, given the fame and emotional resonance of his life story. Ultimately, this legal battle will determine whether Oher can break free from the conservatorship and reclaim control over his own affairs and finances.
