Michael Oher filed a lawsuit on Monday, August 14 against Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy for allegedly tricking him into signing a conservatorship nearly two decades ago.
But less than a week earlier, Oher had actually given an interview that showed signs of his disapproval of “The Blind Side” and his desire to change the image that it had carved about him.
Oher had already expressed displeasure about his portrayal in the movie in the past, but the timing of this public interview -- Tuesday, August 8 on the CBS’ “The Jim Rome Show”-- may have been tan indication of what was to come.
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The Super Bowl-winning offensive tackle was promoting his book, “When Your Back’s Against the Wall: Fame, Football, and Lessons Learned Through a Lifetime of Adversity,” when he was asked by guest host Damon Amendolara about any mislabels he felt he received from “The Blind Side.”
Oher said he felt the show made him look a lot more clueless than he actually was.
“I think the biggest for me is being portrayed not being able to read or write,” Oher said. “When you go into a locker room, your teammates don't think you can learn a playbook, that weighs heavy on someone.”
Oher was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the same year “The Blind Side” was released.
Domonique Foxworth, one of Oher’s teammates on the Baltimore Ravens in the beginning of his career, said that the Tuohy family was present and seemed to be welcomed by Oher, at least during those early years.
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When Oher was asked about the Tuohy family by Amendolara, he did not seem to show any ill will, but he also didn’t refer to the Tuohys by name nor did he single out any family.
“Very grateful for every family that helped me throughout this journey,” Oher said.
But it’s clear that Oher also wants to make it clear that his success was also due to his own ability to strive during difficult times he faced.
“There’s a lot of people that deserve a lot of credit,” Oher said. “For me, I want to show the young people and everyone behind that hey, ‘You deserve some credit for your hard work.’”
The lawyer of the Tuohys said on Wednesday, August 15 that the couple intends to end the conservatorship with Oher.
But the attorneys also claim that Oher had knowledge that he was not being adopted. They also claim that Oher and the family have been estranged for about a decade, during which time he has become “more and more threatening.”
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