Michael Oher, subject of 'The Blind Side,' petitions court, alleging Tuohy family lied

On Monday, former NFL player Michael Oher, who was popularized by the biopic ‘The Blind Side,’ petitioned a Tennessee court with allegations that a key element of the 2009 film was a lie created by the Tuohy family to profit off his expense.

In the film, Oher is adopted by Tuohy family to protect him from living on the streets. Nonetheless, Oher claims he was never adopted by the family. Instead, Oher alleges the Tuohys tricked him into signing a document making them his conservators. This agreement allowed the Tuohys to make business deals and profit off Oher’s name.

“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 legal filing says, per ESPN. “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.”

Oher alleges the Tuohy family used their power as conservators to turn his story into ‘The Blind Side,’ which the family allegedly received millions in royalties from. Further, Oher claims he did not receive money from the film using his name and life story.

In the petition, Oher is asking to end the Tuohy’s conservatorship over him. Additionally, Oher has asked to be reimbursed for any financial gains the Tuohys have made from using his name.

“Since at least August of 2004, Conservators have allowed Michael, specifically, and the public, generally, to believe that Conservators adopted Michael and have used that untruth to gain financial advantages for themselves and the foundations which they own or which they exercise control,” the petition says. “All monies made in said manner should in all conscience and equity be disgorged and paid over to the said ward, Michael Oher.”

The Baltimore Ravens selected Oher with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Oher spent eight seasons in the league, playing for the Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers. In total, Oher appeared in 110 contests.

Oher’s attorney, J. Gerard Stranch IV, claims the former Ole Miss star was deeply hurt by the situation with the Tuohy family.

“Mike didn’t grow up with a stable family life. When the Tuohy family told Mike they loved him and wanted to adopt him, it filled a void that had been with him his entire life,” Stranch said, per ESPN. “Discovering that he wasn’t actually adopted devastated Mike and wounded him deeply.”