Tuohy family plans to end conservatorship of Michael Oher after ‘The Blind Side’ star files lawsuit

Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy plan to end their conservatorship of former NFL offensive lineman and Ole Miss All-American Michael Oher, lawyers representing the couple announced Wednesday. Oher, whose tale is depicted within the 2009 movie “The Blind Side,” alleged the Tuohy family by no means legally followed him as portrayed within the movie and most effective entered a conservatorship in an try to benefit off him, despite the fact that lawyers contend Oher received the same share of profits from the movie as different participants of the Tuohy family.

Oher’s lawsuit, which was once acquired by way of ESPN, claims the Tuohys entered Oher right into a conservatorship whilst presenting it to be the similar procedure as criminal adoption. The lawsuit demanded an end to the Tuohys’ conservatorship of Oher, which has been in position since 2004, simply months after his 18th birthday. 

Entering Oher right into a conservatorship allowed the Tuohys to oversee Oher’s monetary lifestyles and input into criminal offers with out his consent, despite the fact that Oher was once no longer a criminal member of the family. In the case of ‘The Blind Side,’ the award-winning movie grossed greater than $300 million and earned actress Sandra Bullock an Oscar for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy. 

“Michael Oher discovered this lie to his chagrin and embarrassment in February of 2023, when 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 criminal submitting learn. 

In wake of the lawsuit the Tuohys and their criminal crew referred to as accusations towards the family “hurtful and absurd.” Attorneys for the family mentioned Wednesday the $500,000 in proceeds from the movie was once cut up frivolously amongst all 5 Tuohy family participants — Oher incorporated — at $100,000 in step with individual. 

“In reality, the Tuohys opened their home to Mr. Oher, offered him structure, support and, most of all, unconditional love,” Martin Singer, an lawyer representing the Tuohys, said in a statement. “They have consistently treated him like a son and one of their three children. His response was to threaten them, including saying that he would plant a negative story about them in the press unless they paid him $15 million.

“They insisted that any cash won be divided similarly. And they’ve made just right on that pledge,” Singer continued. “The proof — documented in benefit participation tests and studio accounting statements — is apparent: through the years, the Tuohys have given Mr. Oher an equivalent reduce of each and every penny won from ‘The Blind Side.’ Even not too long ago, when Mr. Oher began to threaten them about what he would do except they paid him an eight-figure providence, and, as section of that shakedown effort refused to money the small benefit tests from the Tuohys, they nonetheless deposited Mr. Oher’s equivalent proportion right into a agree with account they arrange for his son.”

Oher attended Briarcrest Christian School, the place he was once coached by way of present Auburn trainer Hugh Freeze, prior to later signing with Ole Miss and ultimately attaining the NFL. His professional profession lasted from 2009-16, during which he began 110 video games and received a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens all the way through the 2012 season.