Blind Side’s Michael Oher Claims Movie Misrepresented Him
The Blind Side was a heartwarming movie overflowing with feel-good moments but the real-life Michael Oher claims the film was far from reality. Since filing a lawsuit against the family that took him in, Oher is speaking up for the first time. Oher recently described to The New York Times how the movie misrepresented and created new challenges for him.
According to the former pro football player, the movie’s biggest lie was how it underestimated his intelligence. Oher recalls how it affected a major milestone in his life as he had just joined the National Football League (NFL) upon its release. “The NFL people were wondering if I could read a playbook,” he explained.
Elaborating, the 38-year-old said, “I started seeing stuff that I’m dumb. I’m stupid. Every article about me mentioned The Blind Side, like it was part of my name.”
The eight-season NFL player also mentioned he was concerned about how it would affect his children. “If my kids can’t do something in class, will their teacher think, ‘Their dad is dumb—is that why they’re not getting it?”
The Blind Side, which debuted in 2019, narrated the “true to life” story of Michael Oher and how a well-meaning white family rescued him from poverty, adopted him, and helped him realize his athletic potential. However, Oher filed a lawsuit against the Tuohys in 2023, revealing shocking details.
Court documents claim that Oher was never adopted by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy. Instead, he was unknowingly placed under a conservatorship that gave the couple and their family the ability to make medical, educational, and professional decisions on his behalf. The legal authority they were given has potentially cost him millions of dollars.
The filing reads, “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.”
“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 remedied the situation by asking Tennessee courts to rescind the 20-year conservatorship, a request that has since been granted. Though they “collectively received millions of dollars and Michael received nothing for his rights” to the movie, Oher maintains it isn’t about the money.
“I worked hard for that moment when I was done playing, and saved my money so I could enjoy the time,” he said before assuring interviewer Michael Sokolove that he has “millions of dollars.”
Aside from the conservatorship, Oher’s petition alleges that the Tuohys are still making millions off him. Leigh Ann has used her influence to promote her books and charges large sums for speaking engagements. The Tuohys also raise funds for their Making It Happen foundation.
