By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Nationwide Correspondent
(NNPA NEWSWIRE) – Michael Oher, a former NFL star identified for uplifting the movie “The Blind Aspect,” has filed a petition in a Tennessee courtroom with claims that the household who took him in lied about an necessary a part of his life story.
Oher says the household used him for cash, inflicting controversy across the as soon as celebrated story of triumph.
The retired soccer star filed a petition in Shelby County, Tennessee, claiming the Tuohy household, who had been portrayed as his adoptive mother and father within the movie, by no means legally adopted him. As a substitute, he asserted, they manipulated him into signing paperwork that made them his conservators after he turned 18.
These conservatorship papers allowed them to make monetary choices on his behalf, Oher mentioned. For instance, the Tuohys used their authority as his conservators to make a worthwhile deal for the movie adaptation of his story, in response to the authorized submitting.
The film earned over $300 million and gained an Oscar for Sandra Bullock’s portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy.
In keeping with reporting by ESPN, the Tuohys allegedly obtained substantial royalties, whereas Oher obtained nothing. regardless of being the central determine within the narrative.
Paperwork filed in courtroom alleged that the film paid the Tuohys and their two delivery kids every $225,000, plus 2.5% of the movie’s “outlined web proceeds.”
Oher, whose eight-year profession included taking part in for the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans, didn’t obtain compensation.
The courtroom submitting urged that the Tuohys continued to advertise the false narrative of Oher’s adoption, utilizing it to their benefit for private acquire.
Oher’s lawyer, J. Gerard Stranch IV, mentioned Oher found the reality in 2023, inflicting deep emotional misery. The revelation shattered Oher’s perception within the household’s declare to be his adoptive mother and father, the legal professional claimed.
Oher’s authorized submitting seeks to terminate the conservatorship held by the Tuohys and stop them from exploiting his title and likeness. The petition additionally calls for a full accounting of the income generated utilizing Oher’s story and compensation for Oher’s rightful share of those earnings.
Born right into a household grappling with drug habit, Oher confronted hardships, together with foster care placements and homelessness.
His trajectory modified when he was taken in by the Tuohy household, which offered stability and help.
ESPN famous that Oher’s athletic abilities thrived, propelling him to a profitable school and NFL profession.
Nonetheless, the courtroom submitting highlighted that if Oher had been legally adopted, he would have retained management over his monetary issues. Tellingly, the conservatorship association stripped him of this autonomy, which grew to become instrumental within the household’s alleged monetary exploitation.
Additional, the Tuohys had beforehand claimed they obtained solely a flat payment for the film and shared what they earned with Oher. However current revelations counter these assertions.
“The lie of Michael’s adoption is one upon which Co-Conservators Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy have enriched themselves on the expense of their Ward, the undersigned Michael Oher,” Oher’s legal professionals wrote.
“Michael Oher found this mislead his chagrin and embarrassment in February of 2023, when he discovered that the Conservatorship to which he consented on the idea that doing so would make him a member of the Tuohy household, in reality offered him no familial relationship with the Tuohys.”
