Sophia Michaels
Michael Oher, the football player known from “The Blind Side,” recently spoke up about the legal issues involving the Tuohy family. Despite assumptions, the Tuohys did not officially adopt Oher, who faced difficulties in his early life. “The first time I felt loved was from Sean and Leigh Anne [Tuohy],” Oher revealed to The New York Times in August 18, a year into the legal battle. Oher expressed feeling vulnerable as he shared his emotions, stating, “You let your guard down and then you get everything stripped from you.”
Around the time the movie “The Blind Side” was released in 2009, Oher was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. He criticized the film for downplaying his intelligence, mentioning, “It seemed kind of funny to me, like it was a comedy about someone else.” Oher recalled NFL concerns about his ability to understand playbooks. Despite this, during his professional football career, Oher did not pursue legal action against the Tuohys.
However, in August 2023, Oher initiated a lawsuit upon discovering that the Tuohys had not legally adopted him but placed him under a conservatorship instead. Sean Tuohy expressed devastation over the situation while affirming their ongoing love for Oher. Amid the legal proceedings, allegations surfaced that Oher had sent threatening messages regarding the case.
The Shift in Michael Oher’s Relationship with the Tuohy Family
In September 2023, the conservatorship involving Michael Oher and the Tuohys was terminated. Judge Kathleen Gomes expressed disbelief at the establishment of the conservatorship given Oher’s lack of physical or mental limitations when it was formed when he was 18 years old. A source outlined that a notable discrepancy arose from Oher and the Tuohys’ relationship since they never legally adopted him despite referring to him as their adopted son.
By November 2023, the Tuohys removed any content from their online platforms suggesting Oher was their adopted son. This alteration followed legal advice predicting significant financial repercussions for the Tuohys due to the lawsuit. The legal dispute escalated in December 2023 when purported text messages from Oher demanding money surfaced during court proceedings.
Support for Sandra Bullock in the Midst of Controversy
Following Michael Oher’s legal actions against the Tuohys, criticism emerged towards Sandra Bullock, who portrayed Leigh Anne Tuohy in “The Blind Side.” Fans questioned Bullock’s receipt of an Oscar for her role. The negative attention surrounding Oher’s lawsuit and its impact on the movie saddened Bullock, with a source explaining, “It just upsets Sandra to no end that a time in her life that was so special, is now shadowed with a completely different perspective.” This backlash coincided with personal tragedy as Bullock’s partner passed away.
Despite the backlash, some supporters defended Bullock and argued against blaming her for the situation. Moreover, Quinton Aaron, who played Oher in the film, voiced his support for Bullock, emphasizing her innocence in the matter. Aaron highlighted a lack of communication between Oher and himself regarding their portrayal in the movie.
