Michael Oher‘s ‘Blind Side’ Family Drama: A New Lawsuit and Old Wounds

Michael Oher, the former NFL player whose life was immortalized in the 2009 film ‘The Blind Side,’ is embroiled in a new legal battle with his adoptive family, the Tuohys. The lawsuit, filed in 2021, has brought to light old wounds and raised questions about the nature of the relationship between Oher and the Tuohys, 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 Tuohys, claiming that they had mismanaged millions of dollars in NFL contract bonuses and endorsement deals. The lawsuit alleges that the Tuohys used the money for their own benefit, including buying a new home and paying for their daughter’s wedding.

The Tuohys‘ Response

The Tuohys have denied the allegations, stating that they had always acted in Oher’s best interests and that the lawsuit is a result of Oher’s ‘irrational behavior.’ They claim that Oher’s financial advisor had been managing his finances and that they had no control over the money.

A Look Back at the ‘Blind Side’ Story

The ‘Blind Side’ tells the story of Oher’s journey from a homeless teenager to an NFL player, thanks to the support of the Tuohy family. The film, which starred Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy, the matriarch of the family, was a critical and commercial success, earning Bullock an Academy Award for Best Actress.

The Real-Life Relationship Between Oher and the Tuohys

While the film portrays the Tuohys as a loving and supportive family who took in a young man in need, the real-life relationship between Oher and the Tuohys has been more complicated. In 2014, Oher told ESPN that he had been living with the Tuohys for only a few months before they adopted him, and that he had been in contact with his biological mother throughout his life.

Old Wounds

The lawsuit has brought to light old wounds and raised questions about the nature of the relationship between Oher and the Tuohys. In 2017, Oher was arrested for assault after an altercation with an Uber driver in Nashville. At the time, Oher’s agent stated that he was going through a ‘difficult time’ and that he was seeking help for a ‘personal issue.’ The incident was widely reported, with many speculating that it was related to Oher’s relationship with the Tuohys.

Conclusion

The lawsuit filed by Michael Oher against the Tuohys has brought to light old wounds and raised questions about the nature of their relationship. While the ‘Blind Side’ film portrayed the Tuohys as a loving and supportive family, the real-life relationship between Oher and the Tuohys has been more complicated. As the lawsuit continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will affect Oher’s relationship with the Tuohys and the public’s perception of the ‘Blind Side’ story.