– Michael Oher, the former NFL athlete portrayed in the film “The Blind Side,” has alleged that the Tuohy family never officially adopted him but instead put him in a conservatorship, allowing them to profit off his life story.
– Oher has filed a petition to terminate the conservatorship, prevent the Tuohys from using his name and likeness, and receive the profits he claims he is owed from the movie.
– The Tuohy family denies the allegations, stating that they did not make millions off the film and that Oher received an initial payment of $14,000. They claim that Oher demanded $15 million from them prior to filing the petition.
Full Story
Title: Former NFL Athlete Michael Oher Raises Allegations Against “The Blind Side” Film
Introduction:
“The Blind Side,” the inspiring biographical drama that earned Sandra Bullock an Oscar in 2010, has recently come under scrutiny. The film tells the story of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, who adopt a struggling young athlete named Michael Oher and help him realize his dreams on the football field. However, Oher, now retired from the NFL, has made a startling allegation that challenges a significant aspect of the movie’s plot. In a recent lawsuit filed in Tennessee, Oher claims that he was never legally adopted by the Tuohys, but rather coerced into a conservatorship that allowed them to profit from his life story.
Allegations in Michael Oher’s Lawsuit:
According to Oher’s petition, he asserts that the Tuohy family deceived him by pushing him to enter a conservatorship instead of going through the legal process of adoption. The conservatorship granted the family the ability to enter business deals using Oher’s name and experiences. Oher now seeks to terminate the conservatorship, prevent the Tuohys from using his name and likeness, and receive the profits he believes he is owed from the movie.
Oher’s claims center around a contract known as the “Life Story Right Agreement,” which he alleges he never knowingly signed. This agreement granted 20th Century Fox perpetual and exclusive rights to use and portray Oher’s life story, including his name, voice, and personal experiences. The lawsuit contends that neither Oher nor anyone else presented this contract to him with a clear explanation of its implications.
Response from the Tuohy Family:
Following the filing of the lawsuit, Sean Tuohy expressed devastation at the news and firmly denied any accusations of profiting from their children, including Oher. He stated that everyone in the family, including Oher, received an initial payment of $14,000 from the film. Sean Tuohy further explained that he opted for a conservatorship instead of adoption because he was mistakenly informed that adult adoptions were not permitted in Tennessee, despite the state allowing them.
According to the Tuohy family’s attorney, prior to the lawsuit, Oher demanded $15 million from the family, threatening to tarnish their reputation if they didn’t comply. The attorney’s statement claimed that the family had been transparent about the establishment of the conservatorship and accused Oher of attempting a similar tactic in the past.
Oher’s Past Unease and Statement:
Although this lawsuit represents the first time Oher has taken legal action against the Tuohys, he expressed discomfort with the portrayal of him in “The Blind Side” as early as 2015. In an interview with ESPN, he criticized the movie for downplaying his intelligence and creating unrealistic expectations about his football abilities. Oher stated that he often faced unfair judgment due to misinformed perceptions perpetuated by the film. In response to the latest developments, Oher voiced his disappointment, asking for privacy, and indicating that he will let the lawsuit speak on his behalf.
Conclusion:
Former NFL athlete Michael Oher’s recent lawsuit against the Tuohy family, the real-life subjects of the movie “The Blind Side,” raises compelling questions about the accuracy of the film’s portrayal. Oher alleges that the family exploited him through a conservatorship, allowing them to benefit financially from his life story. With both parties involved providing contrasting accounts, the outcome of this legal battle will undoubtedly shed new light on the true narrative behind the heartwarming tale depicted on screen.
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