Michael Oher says ‘Blind Side’ family tricked him into conservatorship
Michael Oher, the retired NFL offensive lineman whose life story was the topic of hit 2009 film “The Blind Facet,” petitioned a Tennessee court docket Monday alleging that the household who took him in by no means legally adopted him and solely did so to revenue at his expense.
The Hollywood model of the story is that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy made Oher, then within the foster system, a member of their household, which included two kids. Oher went on to change into a university and NFL star. However the 14-page petition filed in Shelby County, Tennessee, probate court docket alleges that the Tuohys deceived Oher into making the couple his conservators, giving them authorized authority to make enterprise dealings in his title.
Oher was informed that for all intents and functions it was an adoption, however that as a result of he was over 18, it might be known as a “conservatorship.”
“The Tuohys have falsely and publicly represented themselves because the adoptive dad and mom of Michael, persevering with to the date of the submitting of this petition. … Such false and public misrepresentations have induced irreparable damage, loss and injury,” the petition stated.
The petition additionally alleges that the Tuohys secured a royalties deal for themselves and their kids for “The Blind Facet,” whereas Oher acquired nothing. In response to the petition, the household started negotiations with twentieth Century Fox shortly after Michael Lewis’ 2006 e book “The Blind Facet: Evolution of a Recreation.” The petition says that Oher’s signature was required for the Tuohys and their kids to barter their very own offers price $225,000 in addition to 2.5% of all future “outlined internet proceeds.”
“The Blind Facet” made greater than $300 million on the field workplace. For her portrayal of Leigh Anne Touhy, Sandra Bullock gained the Oscar for Greatest Actress.
Oher, per the submitting, is searching for an finish to the conservatorship and an injunction barring the Tuohys from utilizing his title and likeness, in addition to a full accounting of the earnings they made utilizing his title.
Oher signed the conservatorship three months after his 18th birthday, per the petition, forward of his senior 12 months of highschool. He went on to play at Ole Miss, the Tuohys’ alma mater, a growth that the NCAA investigated, and was a first-round choose by the Baltimore Ravens in 2009. Oher performed 110 profession video games; 5 seasons with the Ravens earlier than one 12 months with the Tennessee Titans and two with the Carolina Panthers.