NFL Star Michael Oher Claims The Blind Side Story Was Fabricated
Retired NFL star Michael Oher, whose life was depicted in the critically acclaimed movie The Blind Side, has now come forward to claim that a significant part of the story was fabricated. Oher alleges that he was never actually adopted by Leigh Anne Tuohy and her husband Sean, as portrayed in the film. Instead, he asserts that they tricked him into signing a document that made them his conservators, granting them control over his financial affairs.
In a 14-page petition filed in Shelby County, Tennessee, Oher accuses the Tuohys of exploiting him and profiting from his story. The petition states that the couple and their two children have received millions of dollars in royalties from the success of The Blind Side, while Oher himself has received nothing. Oher is seeking an end to the conservatorship, as well as compensation for the use of his name and likeness, and his fair share of profits from business deals related to him.
It is worth noting that Oher’s conservatorship was previously mentioned in his 2011 memoir, where he claimed that he was led to believe it was equivalent to adoption. However, being under conservatorship meant that he lost control over his financial matters, unlike in the case of adoption where he would have retained that control as a legal member of the family.
The petition also raises concerns about a contract that Oher allegedly signed in 2007, granting away the life rights to his story without any payment. Oher claims not to remember signing the contract, and if he did, he was not adequately informed about its implications.
The Tuohys have previously stated that they did not make significant profits from the movie and instead received a flat fee that was divided among five individuals. However, Oher’s attorney, J. Gerard Stranch IV, discovered the conservatorship in February of this year, prompting Oher to pursue legal action.
The Blind Side, directed by John Lee Hancock and starring Quinton Aaron as Oher and Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy, was released in 2009 and gained both critical and commercial success. It is based on the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis.
As this legal battle unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the real-life events that inspired The Blind Side are ultimately resolved. Oher’s claims raise important questions about the alleged exploitation and financial gain surrounding his story.
