Though Michael Oher’s life story may have served as the centerpiece of 2009’s feel-good film The Blind Side, the ex-NFL star recently found himself blindsided by his alleged adopted parents.
The Baltimore Ravens former offensive tackle filed a lawsuit against Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy on Monday, claiming that instead of adopting him they duped him into signing a conservatorship which allowed them to make business deals in his name, ESPN reported.
Michael Oher, who was the subject of ‘THE BLIND SIDE,’ has filed a lawsuit alleging that he was never adopted by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, but was instead tricked into a conservatorship that gave them control over his money and businesses.
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) August 14, 2023
The lawsuit also alleges that the… pic.twitter.com/RCNOvpA8Ev
The suit also alleged that Sean and Leigh Anne, along with their two biological children, raked in upwards of $300 million in royalties following The Blind Side’s success, while the pro athlete, without whom that story “would not have existed,” received nothing.
"The lie of Michael's adoption is one upon which Co-Conservators Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy have enriched themselves at the expense of their Ward, the undersigned Michael Oher," read the petition, filed in Oher’s native Tennessee, noting that the former NFL star first “discovered this lie to his chagrin and embarrassment in February of 2023.”
“He learned that the Conservatorship to which he consented on the basis that doing so would make him a member of the Tuohy family, in fact provided him no familial relationship with the Tuohys,” the petition continued.
As news of the lawsuit began swirling on social media, several horrified fans spoke out, offering a resounding “I told you so” surrounding the film, which has garnered renewed criticism for its white savior themes in recent years.
“Feeling vindicated for saying The Blind Side was racist in a freshman film course,” wrote @ChangoChutney.
“Does anyone else remember people back when the movie came out saying the family only took him in because of his football potential?” asked @JRGzzTX. “Like, there are folks out there who will tell you they saw red flags from the start.”
“Of course. OF COURSE. Never trust a white savior narrative,” added @bettysgardenco, while @Stop_Hammerzeit likened the Tuohys to the parents in Jordan Peele’s Get Out.
Though The Blind Side may have been complete nonsense, we can’t wait to see Sandra Bullock nab her second Academy Award in the film’s inevitable dark, gritty reboot, The Dark Side.
Sandra Bullock preparing for that dark Blind Side remake: https://t.co/pOIaOldMpD pic.twitter.com/SlC7PGhXpi
— Matt Harris (@mattysmoof) August 14, 2023
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