Former NFL player Michael Oher played eight seasons for the Baltimore Ravens. However, he grabbed international headlines mostly due to the “heartwarming” story about his early life.
Oher’s early years were made into a blockbuster film, “The Blind Side”, in 2009. In the movie, Oher was characterized as an impoverished child within the foster care system. As he roamed the streets, he met Tennessean couple Tim McGraw and Sandra Bullock, two wealthy homeowners concerned for his well-being, by chance. They take him in and help him pursue a passion for football, later landing him a contract to play for the NFL. “The Blind Side” ended up making $300 million worldwide in the box office, and remains a widely popular film in the United States.
But now, the football player insists that that story was falsified, and that he received no profit from the film; profits from the film were only given to the Tuohy family.
The Tuohys responded, stating that they shared all the profits with Oher, but he threatened to “plant a bad story” in the press if they did not pay him $15 million.
A Legal Battle Ensues
Oher has now hired legal counsel, as his lawyers search for the payment records from the 2009 blockbuster. According to news network ABC News, Oher’s Lawyer found the contract stating that the Tuohys would receive 2.5% of the film’s profits. The profit that the film drew in meant the family made millions of dollars despite the small percentage on the contract, from which Oher claims he earned nothing.
In February, lawyers uncovered the contract that officiated the conservatorship of Oher. Under a conservatorship, a person cannot sign contracts or legal papers without their guardians. Michael Oher was already eighteen years old when he was put under the conservatorship, which made him unable to sign any contracts without the Tuohys.
Oher believes the Tuohys lied about the contract he was signing, which they falsified as an adoption form. This was allegedly not an adoption contract but a conservatorship, which meant the Tuohys directed Oher to sign off his rights to sign contracts without their presence and knowledge.
Signing a contract that relinquished his rights was something unknown to Oher as he grew up, and he remained uninformed of his relationship with the Tuohy family through his teenage years.
He claims that he questioned whether the Tuohy family received any profit from “The Blind Side” for years; the family, however, insisted that they made little to no money from it.
Oher Files Petition Against Tuohy Family
This build up of conflict is allegedly what led Oher to seek legal counsel, and the reason that he has filed a petition on Aug. 14, against Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy.
No documents regarding payment, adoption contracts or documents of importance have been released to the public, resulting in the legal battle remaining a fight of words with little proof from either side. Further evidence could emerge at a future hearing or court date depending on whether Oher chooses to pursue legal action or settle out of court.
At the moment, there is no information available regarding the status of the hearing.
Speculations Arise from Lack of Proof of Claims
Due to the absence of concrete proof available, some people have speculated that the controversy was staged for publicity for Oher’s new book, which was released Aug. 8.
This story remains to be resolved, and further details await as both parties decide on whether to continue pursuing legal action.
