Teen Believed He Was Adopted at 18, Became NFL Champion & Inspired ‘The Blind Side’ – Reports Adoption Was a Lie

Michael Oher, known for his famous life story that inspired the film "The Blind Side," is now in a legal battle with his foster family, who allegedly tricked him into signing a conservatorship.

Michael Oher had a difficult upbringing, moving from foster home to foster home. He came from a family of 12 and was born to an addict mother and a dad who passed away in 2004. During his younger years, Oher would also constantly move schools.

He met the Tuohy family while studying at Briarcrest Christian School in Tennessee, where he would stay with his classmates' families as he was on his own. Michael and the Tuohys would later become famous for the 2009 film "The Blind Side," inspired by their story.

However, years after the inspirational blockbuster premiered, Michael would reveal that the film's storyline was based on a lie he was made to believe. In August 2023, he filed a legal lawsuit against his foster parents, Sean Tuohy and Leigh Anne Tuohy, for tricking him into believing they had adopted him. The filing read:

"[...]Sean Tuohy and Leigh Anne Tuohy saw something else: a gullible young man whose athletic talent could be exploited for their own benefit."

The document further alleged that Sean and Leigh Anne, who took Michael during high school, never adopted him. Instead, they tricked him into making them his conservators despite being an adult with no mental or physical disability. This gave them the power to make business deals for him.

As conservators, Sean and Leigh Anne made a deal to earn millions in royalties for their entire family, including two biological kids. Meanwhile, Michael wasn't given a single cent. Sadly, Michael only discovered that he had been tricked and lied to in February 2023.

Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy Made Michael Oher Believe Conservatorship and Adoption Were the Same

The Tuohys invited Michael to move in 2004. Shortly after, they told him they would adopt him. Sean and Leigh Anne showed him the needed papers in the adoption process, telling him there was no difference between conservatorship and adoption. Michael recalled:

"They explained to me that it means pretty much the exact same thing as 'adoptive parents,' but that the laws were just written in a way that took my age into account,"

According to his filing, Michael's signed papers did not make him legally a part of their family. Instead, it gave the Tuohys total power over his ability to sign deals, including those related to "The Blind Side."

Michael's petition claims that each family member received $225,000 for "The Blind Side" and 2.5% of the film's proceeds, which made over $300 million at the box office.

Michael's relationship with Sean and Leigh Anne deteriorated after the film premiered as it portrayed him as unintelligent. This affected Michael's career and people's perception of him.

He also claimed that his supposed family was earning royalties from the movie, leaving him out of the equation. His lawyer, J. Gerard Stranch IV, said:

"When the Tuohy family told Mike they loved him and wanted to adopt him, it filled a void that had been with him his entire life. Discovering that he wasn't actually adopted devastated Mike and wounded him deeply."

Michael's petition claims that each family member received $225,000 for "The Blind Side" and 2.5% of the film's proceeds, which made over $300 million at the box office.

The Tuohy Family Denied All Allegations Michael Made

Sean said he was shocked by Michael's claims and assured their family did not earn from "The Blind Side." He and his wife were upset that Michael believed they made money off of their kids yet claimed they still loved him the same.

Meanwhile, the Tuohys' 2010 book, "In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving," revealed they split any movie profits five ways. Following Michael's claims, the Tuohy family released a statement through their lawyer, claiming they have made a fortune through their restaurant business and wouldn't withhold a few thousand dollars from their son.

They alleged that profit participation checks and studio accounting statements through the years had been given to Michael. They also addressed that the conservatorship, which they never used to their advantage, helped Michael receive health insurance, a driver's license, and college admission.

The Tuohys also accused Michael of attempting to sue them several times. However, no lawyer could defend Michael due to the evidence the Tuohys have presented, not until recently.

In another adoption story that ended terribly, a bride refused to have her adoptive parents participate in her wedding. Instead, she asked her biological father to walk her down the aisle.