After achieving fame because of a movie based loosely on his life, former NFL tackle Michael Oher has spoken out about the film’s impact on his reputation. Unfortunately, though, it hasn’t been all that good for him.
Just recently, the former Baltimore Ravens star has spoken out about his lawsuit against the Tuohy family. Oher, who was taken in by the Tuohys as a teenager, claims that the family took advantage of him and deprived him of millions while profiting off his life story and career in the league.
Oher’s lawsuit, filed in August 2023, alleged that he thought he was signing adoption papers with the Tuohy family, only to later learn that he had consented to a conservatorship, which gave the Tuohys control over his finances. This stands in stark contrast to the adoption narrative portrayed in the 2006 book “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game” and the subsequent Oscar-nominated film.
Oher also claims that the portrayal of him as stupid in the book cost him a higher draft position when signing with the Ravens, and he worried that his children will be impacted by this depiction. He claimed his portrayal as someone who was passive, barely spoke, and had football explained to him by a child, which he found inaccurate and demeaning.
Former NFL Tackle Michael Oher Drops Shocking Revelation About Blind Side Movie
With around a year of fighting to reclaim his story, Oher has laid out more of his thoughts about the issue to the public. In an article by Andrew Holleran for The Spun, the former Ravens star spoke more about his experience with the said movie.
“It’s hard to describe my reaction,” Oher told The Times. “It seemed kind of funny to me, to tell you the truth, like it was a comedy about someone else. It didn’t register. But social media was just starting to grow, and I started seeing stuff that I’m dumb. I’m stupid. Every article about me mentioned ‘The Blind Side,’ like it was part of my name.”
The Tuohy family has responded, denying any wrongdoing and accusing Oher of threatening to extort them if they didn’t pay him millions. However, a Tennessee probate court judge dissolved the Tuohy’s nearly 20-year conservatorship over Oher in September 2023.
As Oher’s lawsuit continues, he says his motivation is not about money, but about reclaiming his story and the person he was before The Blind Side forever changed his life. It remains to be seen whether the former NFL star can overcome the challenges laid out before him.
For More Of My Content
For More Of My Content Follow me on Twitter at @BeatKit22. You may also reach out to me personally at kitguinhawa@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!
