Regarded as a standout among football movies, “The Blind Side” takes a different turn from its subject, Michael Oher’s perspective. In a striking move, the former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle complained to Tennessee courts.
Oher contends that a pivotal thread of the movie’s narrative was fabricated. In particular, the film portrays the Tuohy family adopting him, while Oher asserts he was manipulated into granting them control for their gain.
Why Michael Oher Hated The Blind Side
To Michael Oher, “The Blind Side” presents a significantly skewed portrayal that, he claims, negatively impacted his football journey. Despite his achievements, which include a Super Bowl victory with the Baltimore Ravens and another appearance with the Carolina Panthers, Oher voiced his concerns in a 2015 interview with ESPN. He shed light on how the film’s portrayal affected public perception of him:
“People look at me, and they take things away from me because of a movie. They don’t see the skills and the kind of player I am.”
In a recent development, Oher unveiled his book, “When Your Back’s Against the Wall.” Within its pages, he once again expressed his strong aversion to the depiction of his story in “The Blind Side,” regardless of the film’s triumphs.
“There has been so much created from The Blind Side that I am grateful for, which is why you might find it as a shock that the experience surrounding the story has also been a large source of some of my deepest hurt and pain over the past 14 years.”
“Beyond the details of the deal, the politics, and the money behind the book and movie, it was the principle of the choices some people made that cut me the deepest.”
Also Read: Where is Michael Oher now (2023) and What is he doing?
Michael Oher’s The Blind Side Lawsuit Overview
As per Michael Oher’s account, the Tuohys took a different route than adoption, becoming his conservators. This strategic move granted them the authority to orchestrate business agreements on his behalf. This encompassed royalties stemming from “The Blind Side,” which, he alleges, the Tuohys and their biological children garnered fully, leaving him with nothing in return.
The lawsuit seeks the following verdicts:
- The legal action seeks a decisive injunction terminating the conservatorship arrangement, coupled with a prohibition against the Tuohys’ utilization of Oher’s name and likeness.
- A meticulous evaluation of the Tuohys’ gains derived from Oher’s endeavors is demanded.
- The ultimate goal includes reparation to Oher, encompassing both equitable distribution of profits owed and just compensation for any rightful damages.
Also Read: Michael Oher’s Net Worth in 2023: Is He Broke?
The Tuohys, along with their legal representative, have opted to withhold comments when approached by ESPN. In a conversation with the Daily Memphisian, Sean Tuohy, the father, expressed his feelings of dismay about the lawsuit. He conveyed that the situation was deeply troubling to him and his family, and their emotions encompass a sense of devastation.