Home

NFL

“Mike Didn’t Grow Up With a Stable Family Life”: 37-Year-Old ‘Blind Side’ Legend Reveals His Family Tricked Him for ‘Adoption’

Published 08/14/2023, 10:53 PM EDT

Follow Us

via Imago

The Blind Side remains one of the most beloved and heartwarming American football movies. Portraying the story of former NFL OT, Michael Oher, the film grossed over a staggering $300 million, even winning the actress of the movie, Sandra Bullock an Oscar and a golden globe award. The story depicts the NFL star’s impoverished upbringing after being adopted by a white family. However, in a recent turn of events, the story has taken a huge turn, illuminating the actual true events.

The former OT recently filed a petition, alleging that the movie is based on a lie, which was concocted by the adoptive parents. He also alleges that he was duped by the family of millions of dollars in the name of the adoption.

Michael Oher was tricked into a conservatorship

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In a 14-page petition submitted to a court in Shelby County, Tennessee, the former Ravens‘ man claimed that Sean and Leigh Ann Tuohy, who took him in, never really adopted him. It further alleges that they tricked him into signing a conservatorship, ceding Oher’s authority, and making business decisions in his name. Additionally, it was also added that the Tuohy family denied him any payments made from the critically acclaimed blockbuster.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Variety (@variety)

According to the petition, the Tuohy family used the conservatorship to pay off millions to their birth children from deals that were made at Oher’s expense, while he was denied any payments. It was also revealed that the family had told him that there was no difference between adoption and conservatorship before making him sign the documents. Despite having no medical or physical complication, the NFL star was put in the agreement, which would later earn the two children each $225k from the movie, with 2.5% of the total grossed amount.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NFL stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

The Tuohy family denied the claims!

After the petition was filed, the family didn’t respond right away to calls. Sean later told the Daily Memphian website that he was shocked by the claims. He mentioned that they didn’t make any kind of money from the movie, just a share from the book that inspired it. He also said he cares deeply for his children and Oher, just like he did when Oher was 16.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Read More: Sandra Bullock’s $309,000,000 Movie Sadly Reversed 6′5″, 309lbs Ex-Ravens Star’s Livelihood & Career

Oher’s lawyer, J. Gerard Stranch IV, explained that the ex-NFL player only looked into the movie deal after retiring in 2016. Around the same time, Stranch got his hands on the conservatorship papers, which showed the Tuohy family didn’t really adopt him. He also said, “Mike didn’t grow up with a stable family life,” followed by, “When the Tuohy family told Mike they loved him and wanted to adopt him, it filled a void that had been with him his entire life. Discovering that he wasn’t actually adopted devastated Mike and wounded him deeply.

USA Today via Reuters

The case is still unfolding as of now, and it will take months, if not years, before reaching any agreement. The petition urges ending the conservatorship, but only time will tell when that can happen.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch This Story: Aaron Rodgers birthday post reveals 24YO Zach Wilson and 46YO Tom Brady were born on the same day 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Samnur Reza

469Articles

One take at a time

Samnur Reza or “Rocky”, is an NFL sportswriter at EssentiallySports. He is an avid sports enthusiast with a particular love for football. Rocky looks up to Joe Burrow and Jalen Ramsey as two of the best athletes in the game.
Show More>

Edited by:

Abigail Kevichusa