Current:Home > FinanceSean and Leigh Anne Tuohy No Longer Officially Referring to Michael Oher as Adopted Son -Visionary Wealth Guides
Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy No Longer Officially Referring to Michael Oher as Adopted Son
TradeEdge View
Date:2025-04-10 12:13:35
Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy are making a substitution.
The Memphis couple—whose lives were depicted in The Blind Side movie—are removing references to Michael Oher being their adopted son in official language, including on their websites and in public speaking materials, their lawyer told a judge on Nov. 29, per the Associated Press.
In response to the change, Oher said in a statement to NBC News, "Like I have said before, I have faith in the court system, so for now I will leave what has to be said through that process. My objections to the claims made are in the filing."
The Tuohys removed references suggesting they adopted the former NFL player, who lived with the family starting when he was in high school, amid their ongoing legal battle. In August, Oher filed a lawsuit against the couple, accusing them of lying about adopting him in high school when they actually became his conservators.
Oher, now 37, alleged that the Tuohys "falsely advised" him to sign a document making them his conservators in 2004, when he was 18, noting "he consented on the basis that doing so would make him a member of the Tuohy family," according to his filing, obtained by E! News.
The Baltimore Ravens alum said he only learned this year that it "in fact provided him no familial relationship with the Tuohys."
Oher also accused the family of financially profiting from his experiences through The Blind Side, adding that he never "willingly or knowingly" signed a document that would "give away" the life rights to his story.
His filing said the Tuohys "have allowed Michael, specifically, and the public, generally, to believe that Conservators adopted Michael and have used that untruth to gain financial advantages for themselves."
In September, Shelby County Probate Court Judge Kathleen Gomes officially terminated the conservatorship after nearly two decades, per documents obtained by E! News. During her ruling, the judge said she "cannot believe" the arrangement was ever put into place.
The Tuohys have denied that they made more money than Oher on the film, with the patriarch telling the Daily Memphian in August, "Everybody in the family got an equal share, including Michael."
"It's upsetting to think we would make money off any of our children," he noted. "But we're going to love Michael at 37 just like we loved him at 16."
Oher's tale was brought to the big screen in 2009, when he was played by Quinton Aaron, with Sandra Bullock cast as Leigh Anne Tuohy and Tim McGraw as Sean Tuohy. Three years later, the Super Bowl champ told it in his own words with his book I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond.
The Tuohys' rep declined to comment further on removing references to his adoption when contacted by NBC News.
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Look back at the real-life people who inspired The Blind Side:
Collins Tuohy, Sean Tuohy Jr., Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy got dressed up for the 2009 New York premiere of The Blind Side, the movie based on their life with adoptive son Michael Oher, who became a pro football player.
The longtime couple walked the red carpet at the 2010 Academy Awards in Los Angeles in honor of The Blind Side, which earned actress Sandra Bullock an Oscar that year for playing Leigh Anne.
Michael Oher promoted his book I Beat the Odds on The View in 2011.
Sandra Bullock posed with Leigh Anne, who she played onscreen, at a Blind Side benefit event in New Orleans in 2009.
Sean, Leigh Anne and Collins attended the movie's New York premiere in 2013.
Michael tied the knot with Tiffany Roy in November 2022. "Filled with joy, can't believe people took their time and came to celebrate!" the former NFL player captioned a photo of the ceremony. "My beautiful wife, I love you so much, thank you for blessing me with our family! Easily the best single weekend I've ever been apart of."
Leigh Anne and and Sean brought daughter Collins to the 2010 CMT Music Awards, where Carrie Underwood was a big winner.
The group posed for a photo at the Nashville event.
Oher stopped by the Walk of Champions at Ole Miss in April 2023. "Glad to see my name's still there," he wrote. "Class of ‘09, represent (‘08 football season). I got to take a tour of the new facilities under construction."
The marketing expert shared a photo with her husband Cannon Smith at the Old Florida Fish House
in July 2023. "Sweaty faces and full hearts," Collins wrote on social media. "It's a hot one down here, but we are having the best time. This restaurant is an oldie but goodie. We always eat here at least once. Best sushi."
Michael stopped by SiriusXM Studios in NYC on Aug. 9, 2023.
"Always know football season is right around the corner when it hits LAT's birthday," Collins wrote on Instagram in August 2023 alongside a throwback photo. "Today is the day… Happy Birthday Mom!! Love you!"
The football pro shared a pic with his loved ones in March 2023, writing, "Life is Beautiful‼️#family #life #growth."
The pair, who got married in 1982, went to an after-party hosted by Bloomberg and Vanity Fair party following the 2010 White House Correspondents dinner in Washington, DC.
Michael geared up for the release of his book When Your Back's Against the Wall in August 2023.
veryGood! (993)
Related
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Oliver Hudson says he sometimes 'felt unprotected' growing up with mother Goldie Hawn
- TEA Business College leads market excellence strategy
- Walz takes his State of the State speech on the road to the southern Minnesota city of Owatonna
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- National monument on California-Oregon border will remain intact after surviving legal challenge
- Penguins recover missing Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads, announce distribution plan
- Small business hiring woes show signs of easing as economy stays strong
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Big-city crime is down, but not in Memphis. A coalition of America's Black mayors will look for answers.
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- You Season 5: You'll Kill to See Penn Badgley's Return to New York in First Look Photo
- How a cigarette butt and a Styrofoam cup led police to arrest 2012 homicide suspect
- 8-year-old girl found dead in Houston hotel pool pipe; autopsy, investigation underway
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- The irony of Steve Martin’s life isn’t lost on him
- The 4 worst-performing Dow Jones stocks in 2024 could get worse before they get better
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Spill the Tea
Recommendation
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
The irony of Steve Martin’s life isn’t lost on him
NFL pushes back trade deadline one week
Alaska governor plans to sign bill aimed at increasing download speeds for rural schools
Bodycam footage shows high
Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapses after ship struck it, sending vehicles into water
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh: Fifth selection could be like No. 1 draft pick
'Euphoria' Season 3 delayed, HBO says cast can 'pursue other opportunities': Reports