Michael Oher Alleges Adoption Was a Lie, Seeks Legal Action Against Tuohy Family
Former NFL player Michael Oher, famously known as the subject of the movie “The Blind Side,” has filed a petition alleging that his adoption by the Tuohy family was a lie. Oher claims that the family took advantage of his story for financial gain, withholding his fair share of the profits. The petition seeks to end the conservatorship held by the Tuohys, demand an accounting of the money earned, and obtain compensatory and punitive damages. This revelation marks a significant departure from the inspiring narrative portrayed in the film.
According to Oher’s petition, the conservators, the Tuohy family, have misled both him and the public by presenting his adoption as fact. They allegedly used this falsehood to their advantage, benefiting financially through various foundations they own or control. Oher’s legal filing requests that all proceeds earned in this manner be returned to him.
While Oher believed that the conservatorship was equivalent to adoption, there are legal distinctions between the two. Had he been adopted, Oher would have been a legal member of the Tuohy family, retaining control over his own financial affairs. However, under the conservatorship, Oher relinquished this authority to the Tuohys, despite being a legal adult without any known disabilities.
The petition further claims that negotiations for a movie deal began shortly after the release of the book “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game” in 2006. The movie adaptation reportedly earned the Tuohys and their birth children significant sums of money, including a percentage of the film’s net proceeds. However, Oher alleges that a separate contract, purportedly signed by him in 2007, granted the movie studio the rights to his story without any compensation. Oher denies any recollection of signing such a contract and asserts that its implications were never explained to him.
The legal filing also raises concerns about the representation of all four Tuohy family members by the same agency, Creative Artists Agency. Oher’s agent, listed as a close family friend and the lawyer who filed the conservatorship petition, allegedly received movie contract and payment notices. The petition suggests a potential conflict of interest in this arrangement.
The Tuohys have previously denied making substantial profits from the movie, claiming to have received only a flat fee and sharing what they earned with Oher. However, Oher’s petition asserts that he never received any money from the film, and his inquiries were met with evasive responses.
Oher’s attorney, J. Gerard Stranch IV, explains that it was only after Oher retired from the NFL in 2016 that he had the opportunity to fully investigate the movie deal. The discovery of the conservatorship document in February prompted Oher to realize that he had not been adopted by the Tuohys, causing him deep emotional distress.
Michael Oher’s petition challenging the authenticity of his adoption by the Tuohy family has shed light on a complex and troubling aspect of his life. The allegations suggest that the Tuohys exploited Oher’s story for financial gain, while Oher himself received no compensation. This revelation challenges the narrative presented in “The Blind Side” and raises questions about the motivations and actions of those involved. The legal proceedings will determine the validity of Oher’s claims and seek to rectify the alleged injustices he has endured.
