Michael Oher, Subject of ‘The Blind Side‘, Opens Up on Lawsuit Against Tuohy Family

Michael Oher, the former NFL player who was the subject of the Oscar-winning film ‘The Blind Side‘, has spoken out about his lawsuit against the Tuohy family, who adopted him as a teenager.

The Lawsuit

Oher, who played for the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, and Carolina Panthers, filed a lawsuit against the Tuohy family in 2020, claiming that they had mismanaged his finances and left him with ‘little to no money’.

‘I was very upset about it, because I felt like I was taken advantage of,’ Oher told E! News. ‘I felt like I was used.’

The Adoption

Oher was adopted by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, along with their children, in 2004, when he was 16 years old. The family’s story was immortalized in the 2009 film ‘The Blind Side‘, which starred Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy.

‘I was very grateful for the opportunity that they gave me,’ Oher said. ‘But at the same time, I felt like I was taken advantage of. I felt like I was used.’

The Film

‘The Blind Side‘ was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $300 million worldwide and earning Bullock an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film also spawned a successful book, ‘The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game’, written by Michael Lewis.

Oher said that he was not paid for the rights to his story, which was used in the film. ‘I didn’t get anything from the movie,’ he said. ‘I didn’t get anything from the book.’

The Aftermath

Oher’s lawsuit against the Tuohy family was settled in 2021, with the terms of the settlement remaining confidential. Oher said that he is now focused on rebuilding his life and moving forward.

‘I’m just trying to get my life back on track,’ he said. ‘I’m just trying to be happy.’

The Future

Oher, who was released by the Panthers in 2017, said that he is not currently playing football and is instead focusing on his personal life. He also said that he is working on a new book about his experiences.

‘I’m just trying to move forward and be happy,’ he said. ‘I’m just trying to live my life.’

Oher’s lawsuit against the Tuohy family has raised questions about the portrayal of the family in ‘The Blind Side‘, which depicted them as selfless and generous. Oher’s claims have sparked a wider conversation about the exploitation of athletes and the importance of protecting their rights.

‘I just want people to know the truth,’ Oher said. ‘I just want people to know what really happened.’