'Blindsided: Oher lawsuit aims to terminate Tuohys' conservatorship'

Michael Oher, the former NFL player who inspired "The Blind Side," accuses adoptive parents of lying and seeks termination of conservatorship.

In a surprising turn of events, former NFL tackle Michael Oher, who gained fame as the inspiration for the movie "The Blind Side," has filed a petition accusing Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy of deceiving him. Oher claims that nearly two decades ago, the Tuohys had him sign papers making them his conservators rather than his adoptive parents.

The petition, filed in Shelby County Probate Court, requests the termination of the conservatorship, as well as a full accounting of the money earned from the use of Oher's name and story. Additionally, Oher demands to be paid what he is owed, along with interest.

According to the petition, Oher discovered the truth in February 2023, when he realized that the conservatorship did not grant him a familial relationship with the Tuohys, as he had believed. He accuses the Tuohys of enriching themselves at his expense by falsely representing themselves as his adoptive parents.

Oher, who has never been a fan of the movie based on his life, also seeks sanctions against the Tuohys and asks for compensatory and punitive damages determined by the court. The Tuohys' lawyer, Steve Farese, stated that they will respond to the allegations in court.

Leigh Anne Tuohy, when contacted via email, did not immediately respond. Sean Tuohy, however, expressed his willingness to end the conservatorship if that is what Oher desires. He emphasized that they love Oher now just as they did when he was 16 years old.

The petition reveals that the conservatorship was established after Oher turned 18, and the Tuohys never sought legal custody from the Tennessee Department of Human Services before that time. Oher claims that he was encouraged to call the attorney who filed the conservatorship paperwork "Aunt Debbie" Branan, and he was told to refer to the Tuohys as "Mom" and "Dad."

Furthermore, Oher alleges that he was misled into signing paperwork related to adoption shortly after moving in with the Tuohys. He states that he was falsely advised that it would be called a conservatorship due to his age, but the intention was always adoption. Oher was unaware that by granting the conservatorship, he was relinquishing his right to contract for himself.

The petition also mentions a book based on Oher's life, released in 2006, and alleges that his conservators negotiated contracts for movie rights. It claims that a deal was made to pay the Tuohys, as well as their children, $225,000 plus a percentage of future defined net proceeds, contingent upon Oher's signature. Oher asserts that he never willingly or knowingly signed such a contract.

Oher's petition demands a thorough account of his assets and how they were utilized, considering the substantial profits generated by his life story. He points out that he received nothing for the rights to something that would not have existed without his involvement.

Oher, who was drafted as the 23rd overall pick in 2009 out of Mississippi, enjoyed a successful career in the NFL, playing for the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, and Carolina Panthers. He started 110 games and won a Super Bowl with the Ravens. Despite his accomplishments, Oher retired in 2016 and was released by Carolina in 2017.

This recent legal dispute draws attention to the issue of conservatorships, particularly in light of Britney Spears' highly publicized battle to end her own conservatorship. Spears' case has sparked a broader discussion about the potential harm caused by such strict controls, leading advocates across the country to question their effectiveness and necessity.

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