1. What is the nature of Michael Oher's legal battle with the Tuohy family?
Michael Oher, the former NFL player whose life story inspired the Oscar-winning film 'The Blind Side,' is embroiled in a legal battle with the Tuohy family. Oher alleges that the Tuohys exploited him by using his name, image, and likeness to promote speaking engagements and other business ventures without his consent or fair compensation.
2. What is the central issue in Michael Oher's lawsuit against the Tuohy family?
The central issue is the conservatorship that the Tuohys established over Oher when he was 18 years old. Oher claims that he was tricked into signing the conservatorship, which gave the Tuohys legal authority to manage his finances and make business deals in his name. He alleges that this arrangement was used to enrich the Tuohys at his expense.
3. How did the Tuohy family portray their relationship with Michael Oher in 'The Blind Side'?
In 'The Blind Side,' the Tuohy family is portrayed as having adopted Michael Oher and provided him with a stable home and support. However, Oher claims that no formal adoption occurred and that he was merely placed under their conservatorship.
4. What are the allegations made by Michael Oher against the Tuohy family?
Oher alleges that the Tuohys used his name and likeness to earn millions of dollars from speaking engagements and other business ventures. He also claims that they kept nearly two decades' worth of financial information from him and ignored their legal and financial responsibilities to him.
5. How did Michael Oher respond to allegations that he attempted to extort the Tuohy family for $15 million?
Oher has denied the allegations of extortion. He claims that he was simply trying to navigate his feelings and assert his rights after discovering the truth about the conservatorship. He also stated that he has millions of dollars saved from his NFL career and is not financially needy.
6. What is the current status of the conservatorship between Michael Oher and the Tuohy family?
In September 2023, a Tennessee judge ended the conservatorship, finding it disturbing that such an arrangement was ever established. The judge ordered the Tuohys to submit an accounting of the funds earned off Ohers name and likeness.
7. How has Michael Ohers relationship with the Tuohy family changed over time?
Oher has described his relationship with the Tuohys as strained. He felt immense mental anger and frustration over being misled about his adoption status. He aspired to return to the person he was before 'The Blind Side' in terms of his personality but is still working on it.
8. What impact did 'The Blind Side' have on Michael Ohers life and career?
Oher felt that 'The Blind Side' underplayed his intelligence and portrayed him inaccurately. He experienced ridicule and negative comments about his intelligence, which affected his self-esteem and football career. He also felt that the film did not capture the true essence of his life story.
9. What is the next step in Michael Ohers legal battle with the Tuohy family?
The next hearing in the lawsuit is set for October. Oher is seeking money damages, a full accounting of any money earned off his name, likeness, and story, and an injunction barring the Tuohys from using his name and likeness without his consent.
