Michael Oher breaks his silence on the trial drama surrounding “The Blind Side”

Former NFL star Michael Oher has spoken out publicly about the lawsuit he filed last year against Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy. In his suit, Oher accused the Tuohys of luring him into a conservatorship and unfairly profiting from the book and movie “The Blind Side,” which portrayed her relationship with him.

Michael Oher, the topic of Sandra Bullock’s film “The Blind Side” initiated a lawsuit against the Tuohys in August 2023.

Michael Oher files suit against Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy

He accused the couple of trying to profit from his story, claiming they tricked him into signing documents appointing them as his guardians rather than adopting him as parents nearly twenty years ago.

The former Super Bowl champion spoke to the New York Times Magazine about his high-profile lawsuit against Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy.

In his lawsuit, Oher claimed that the Tuohys earned about $8 million by using his name and likeness for speaking engagements and other events. He claimed in court that Sean and Leigh Anne falsely represented themselves to the public as his adoptive parents, a claim which, in his opinion, untrue.

“The first time I heard ‘I love you,’ it was Sean and Leigh Anne,” Oher said.

“When that happens at 18, you become vulnerable. You let your guard down and then everything is taken away from you. That leaves you feeling hurt,” he continued.

“Blind Side” changes the perception of Michael Oher

Michael Oher said The Blind Side damaged the public’s perception of him. The film came out in 2009, when he was just beginning his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, and many people doubted his intelligence, Oher said.

“The NFL people were wondering if I could read a playbook,” he said.

Oher mentioned that the film came out just months after he was signed by the Baltimore Ravens and he believes the book’s portrayal negatively impacted his draft position.

“I don’t want to blame this on race, but I’ve found that no one says ‘I love you’ more than coaches and white people. When black people say it, they mean it,” he continued.

Michael Oher’s time with the Tuohys

The Tuohys, however, argue that they never intended to legally adopt Oher and that calling him their adopted son was just a figure of speech. They also claim that Oher is trying to extort $15 million from them and claim he threatened to damage their public image if they don’t pay him.

In September of last year, Shelby County Probate Court Judge Kathleen Gomes terminated the guardianship that in place of Michael Ohers Finance since he was 18.

The Tuohys, both in real life and in “The Blind Side,” helped Oher get his driver’s license, buy a car and get tutoring to qualify for college football. Before moving in with the Tuohy family at age 18, Oher had spent time in foster care and shelters and was homeless at times.

Despite his complaints about the Tuohys allegedly taking advantage of his image, Oher spoke positively about his experiences with them and acknowledged that some might view his behavior as ungrateful. He admitted that he accepted the family’s portrayal for years because he was primarily focused on his NFL career.

Oher played for five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, where he secured a Super Bowl victory in 2013, and also played for the Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers before retiring in 2017. He said he is currently working on reconnecting with his pre-The Blind Side identity.