"The Blind Side" Family Allegedly Exploited Michael Oher And Never Adopted Him

Retired NFL player Michael Oher, whose life story became the focus of the 2009 movie The Blind Side, has alleged in a petition to a Tennessee court that a significant part of his life story, his adoption by the Tuohy family, was fabricated. The Tuohys are accused of tricking Oher into signing a conservatorship, granting them authority to make business deals on his behalf, rather than legally adopting him. The Tuohys, it's claimed, then profited significantly from the film royalties, leaving Oher with nothing.

The Blind Side Family Allegedly Exploited Michael Oher and Never Adopted Him

ESPN reports that Oher discovered this misrepresentation only in February 2023. The legal document alleges that Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy enriched themselves at Oher’s expense, leveraging the false narrative of his adoption for monetary gain and to further Leigh Anne's career as an author and speaker.

The film adaptation of Oher’s life was immensely successful, grossing over $300 million. The Tuohys allegedly received a total of $225,000 and 2.5% of the film's proceeds. Meanwhile, a 2007 contract reportedly signed by Oher gave away his life rights to the story without compensation. He has no recollection of this agreement and believes he was not informed of its ramifications. This conservatorship meant that, legally, Oher was not part of the Tuohy family and had no control over his own financial matters. The movie deal, brokered shortly after the release of a book detailing Oher's relationship with the Tuohys, benefited the family, but not Oher.

In Oher's own 2011 memoir, I Beat the Odds, he recalls the Tuohys explaining that the conservatorship was akin to adoption. However, there are notable legal differences. Adoption would have made Oher a legal member of the Tuohy family with control over his finances. The conservatorship, on the other hand, granted the Tuohys authority over his financial matters, despite Oher being an adult without any disabilities.

Oher's journey from a challenging childhood to NFL stardom is heartwarming. As one of 12 siblings, he faced hardships, including bouncing between multiple foster homes and periods of homelessness. It wasn’t until a friend’s father introduced Oher to a private Christian school that his prospects began to change. Here, he showcased his athletic talents, attracting attention from prestigious college football programs.

Despite this, the depiction of Oher in The Blind Side has been a source of anguish for him. He feels the movie portrayed him inaccurately, which influenced how he was perceived, even within the NFL. Though, initially, Oher felt the film's uplifting message was beneficial, his sentiments have shifted with the recent revelations.

Oher's trust in the Tuohys eroded with time. He was hurt by his portrayal in the film and became suspicious after realizing he wasn't receiving any movie royalties, unlike the Tuohys. The final blow was the realization that they never adopted him. The Tuohys had previously denied significant earnings from the movie, claiming any profit was divided among family members, including Oher. Yet, Oher's lawyer emphasizes that he never received any financial gain from the film.

Following the success of The Blind Side, Oher’s relationship with the Tuohy family deteriorated. His belief that the film negatively affected his football career and the subsequent discovery of the true nature of his legal ties to the family further strained relations. In his recent book, Oher speaks candidly about the pain the movie and associated events have caused him over the years. The saga, initially seen as an inspiring tale of generosity, has now been overshadowed by allegations of deceit and exploitation.

Sandra Bullock, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal, starred as Leigh Anne Tuohy, the matriarch who takes Oher under her wing. Quinton Aaron gives a memorable performance as Michael Oher, capturing the athlete's challenges and triumphs. Tim McGraw portrays Sean Tuohy, Leigh Anne's supportive husband, while Jae Head and Lily Collins play the Tuohy children, SJ and Collins, respectively.

When the news broke online, many people expressed disappointment and sadness on behalf of Oher, who deserves to be compensated for his life becoming a blockbuster hit that generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Some are highlighting this as yet another story of a black person being exploited by white liberals who pretend to be compassionate and caring. There were even some memes used from Get Out. Whatever happens to Oher and his future, The Blind Side will never be remembered the same, and many people may never, ever watch it again.

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