Former NFL Star Michael Oher, Inspiration for “The Blind Side,” Claims Tuohy Family Never Adopted Him

Michael Oher, the former NFL offensive lineman and inspiration for the 2009 box office success “The Blind Side,” told a Tennessee judge that contrary to the film version of his life he was never adopted by the Tuohy family, and alleged that the family earned millions from the story.

Oher, 37, has petitioned a Shelby County judge to revoke the conservatorship from the Tuohys, arguing that he’s old enough to handle his own business affairs. {snip}

Former NFL player Michael Oher, whose story inspired the 2009 Oscar-winning film “The Blind Side,” now alleges that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy made themselves his conservators, allowing them to profit from his life story. Here’s how conservatorships work. https://t.co/JY9OKFvBy0

— CNN (@CNN) August 16, 2023

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“Since at least August of 2004, Conservators have allowed Michael, specifically, and the public, generally, to believe that Conversators 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 alleges.

Sean Tuohy said Tuesday that he learned about Oher’s allegations when his friend sent him an article about it. The conservatorship in question, Tuohy said, had nothing to do with the movie but was meant to help Oher as he got recruited to play college football.

“They said the only way Michael could go to Ole Miss was if he was actually part of the family,” Tuohy said, adding that because Oher was 18 at the time, the conservatorship was a way to make that happen legally since he was too old to be legally adopted. {snip}”

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Oher claimed in court documents that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy convinced him to sign conservatorship documents in 2004 by falsely telling him that the legal action was “for all intents and purposes, an adoption.” Court documents state that Oher signed the documents at 18 after being a foster child for years.

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Oher’s 14-page petition details his entering the foster care system at 11. During high school, Oher was homeless {snip}

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