Ex-NFL star Michael Oher breaks silence on controversial lawsuit against Memphis-based family for exploitation
Almost a year after filing a lawsuit against the Memphis-based family that he used to live with, former NFL star Michael Oher has released a statement. Oher filed a lawsuit against Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy for exploiting him for money made through his biography and subsequent film, "The Blind Side."
On Sunday, The New York Times Magazine released an exclusive interview with Michael Oher. In the interview, the retired NFL tackle shed light on living with the Tuohy family and how he felt being exploited for money. Sharing his thoughts, Oher said:
“The first time I heard ‘I love you,’ it was Sean and Leigh Anne [Tuohy] saying it. When that happens at 18, you become vulnerable. You let your guard down and then you get everything stripped from you. It turns into a hurt feeling.”
Over the past year, there have been major twists and turns in Michael Oher's controversial lawsuit. In December, his former family claimed that he attempted a $15 million shakedown. Moreover, the author of "The Blind Side," Michael Lewis, also called out the ex-NFLer's mental state for filing the lawsuit.
It is interesting to note that neither Sean nor Leigh Anne Tuohy adopted Michael Oher. Instead, when the NFL star was 18, the couple established a conservatorship. It gave them legal control over Oher's major life decisions and most importantly, his finances.
Oher's biography, “The Blind Side” made more than $300 million, and according to the ex-tackle, the family stole his share of the money. Even though the Tuohys claim that Oher was equally paid, the former NFL star claims otherwise. Despite the bad blood, Oher still feels grateful for the family's care and comfort. He said:
"Honestly, it was great. I had a bed to stay on. I was eating good. They got me a truck."
"The Blind Side" film producers claim to make $767,000 payment to Michael Oher
According to PEOPLE, Michael Oher has claimed that the Memphis-based family has "collectively received millions of dollars" while he "received nothing for his rights." However, last year, producers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove denied the former Baltimore Raven's allegations, claiming to have paid about $767k to him.
“It did not include significant payouts in the event of the film’s success. As a result, the notion that the Tuohys were paid millions of dollars by Alcon to the detriment of Michael Oher is false."
"The Blind Side is verifiably authentic and will never be a lie or fake, regardless of the familial ups and downs that have occurred subsequent to the film.”
Michael Oher's controversy has affected many, including Sandra Bullock, whose role of Leigh Anne Tuohy was the lead character in "The Blind Side" film. In fact, according to Bengals legend Willie Anderson, it was Oher's controversy that delayed his Hall of Fame induction.