The film “The Blind Side”, which is 2009 brought the true story of underdogs Michael Oher to the big screen, is now facing a new chapter of controversy. Fourteen years after the film’s release, Oher took legal action by filing a petition in a Tennessee court, claiming that a key element of the film—his adoption by the Tuohy family—was fabricated for their personal benefit, leaving him without compensation or a hearing. the authenticity of his family ties.
The sports-themed film is based on the 2006 novel of the same name. The story follows a young black man named Oher, played by Quinton Aaron, who faces challenges with schooling and homelessness. He is taken in by Anne Tuohy (played by Sandra Bullock) and her husband Seann (played by Tim McGraw), who eventually become his legal guardians. Oher continues a successful NFL career and even secures a Super Bowl victory.
The football-themed film faced considerable criticism, with the most recent displeasure centered on the Tuohy family.
Oher claims the adoption story is fabricated and claims Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy effectively tricked him into signing a document giving them legal authority as his guardians. This gave them the ability to do business on his behalf.
In return, the Tuohys, along with their biological offspring, received “$225,000” plus “2.5%” of the film’s “designated net earnings.” Despite reports that the Oscar-winning film has amassed more than $300 million in box office revenue, Oher reportedly received no compensation, as ESPN reported on Monday (August 14). This is in stark contrast to the fact that the story “hinged on his involvement”.
A legal document from the Shelby County, Tennessee probate court alleges that the fabrication of Michael’s adoption resulted in the personal gain of co-conservators Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy, all at the expense of Michael Oher, the undersigned trustee.
To Michael Oher’s dismay and humiliation, he discovered this untruth in February 2023. He realized that the Conservatorship he had agreed to induct him into the Tuohy family had actually left him without any real family connection to the Tuohys.
The petition seeks the probate court’s intervention to overturn the Tuohys’ conservatorship over Oher and issue an injunction preventing the family from using his name and likeness.
In addition, the petition seeks compensation for the monetary benefits that the athlete never received from the highly successful movie “The Blind Side.”
The petition alleges that since at least August 2004, conservators have led Michael and the public to believe he was adopted, using this false impression for personal financial gain and to benefit foundations they own or control. He further submits that all profits made by such means should be returned and allocated to Michael Oher, the appropriate department, in fairness and justice.
The legal battle surrounding Oher’s allegations has fueled discussions about the ethics of storytelling, the responsibility of filmmakers and writers to accurately portray true events, and the complexities of profiting from someone else’s story. The controversy surrounding “The Blind Side” serves as a reminder that even the most inspiring stories can have layers of complexity and ethical considerations.
It remains to be seen how this controversy will affect the legacy of “The Blind Side” and its portrayal of Michael Oher’s journey as the lawsuit unfolds. Beyond the courtroom, debates surrounding the film’s authenticity will likely continue to raise questions about the intersection of art, truth, and personal gain in the realm of storytelling.