Michael Oher Details How The Blind Side Negatively Impacted Him Amid Lawsuit

Michael Oher Details How The Blind Side Negatively Impacted Him Amid Lawsuit

As a gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in sports games, I’ve always admired the inspiring stories of athletes like Michael Oher, whose journey from adversity to success is truly remarkable. However, watching his ongoing legal battle unfold feels more like a real-life drama than any game I’ve played.


The movie “The Blind Side” showcased Michael Oher’s uplifting tale about being adopted by the Tuohy family, which eventually led to a career in the NFL. However, it was later claimed by Oher himself that the Tuohys did not adopt him, but rather placed him under their care through a conservatorship. A year after Oher filed a lawsuit against the Tuohys, he expressed how the movie “The Blind Side” had a negative impact on his public image.

As a gamer, I’ve learned my life story was portrayed in the movie “The Blind Side,” based on Michael Lewis’ book. It showcased my challenging childhood and subsequent adoption by the Tuohys. Despite not attending the 2009 film premiere, I eventually watched it a month later. When I did, it felt like a humorous tale about someone else, and my new coworkers even questioned my intelligence based on that depiction, according to what I shared with People.

“The NFL folks asked if I could understand a playbook,” said the ex-offensive tackle. “I came across comments online suggesting I’m not intelligent or smart. Every news piece about me seemed to refer to ‘The Blind Side,’ as if it were my nickname.”

The Oscar-winning flick had Michael Oher show his struggles in school and his kid brother coaching him for football. The Tennessee native feared that the film’s portrayal might affect his children if their teacher thought, “Their dad is dumb.” With the aftermath of the sports biopic still affecting Oher, his newfound desire is to head toward a journey of self-discovery:

As a gamer, I’m yearning to regain the spirit of my former self, much like the old version of me before The Blind Side. I’m actively striving towards that goal, but it’s still a work in progress.

What is the latest update on Michael Oher’s lawsuit?

In August 2023, Michael Oher told The New York Times that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy collectively earned millions of dollars, yet he received no compensation for his rights. Previously thought to have been adopted at age 18, Oher was under a conservatorship which gave the Tuohys authority over his finances and significant decisions. Later, the Tuohys accused Oher of trying to extort $15 million from them.

Michael Oher made clear that his lawsuit wasn’t motivated by financial gain since he’s already financially comfortable and wealthy. He delayed addressing the conservatorship matter until last August to ensure his full attention remained on his NFL career. Following his retirement in 2016, it appears that Oher is now reclaiming control over his personal story.

Due to Tennessee’s law that only those with disabilities can have a conservatorship, Judge Kathleen Gomes dissolved Michael Oher’s conservatorship shortly after he filed his lawsuit. Yet, the legal proceedings continue. Oher, the ex-Baltimore Ravens player, is pursuing a detailed financial report of earnings stemming from the use of his name, appearance, and image, including those from The Blind Side. For now, it appears that Oher is moving forward into a fresh phase in his life.

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2024-08-20 15:40