Michael Oher's Remarkable Journey: A Triumph Over Adversity

Michael Oher. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Judge Kathleen Gomes of a Tennessee court ruled on Friday, September 29, to end Michael Oher's conservatorship with the Tuohy family after almost 20 years. This decision comes amidst his ongoing legal dispute with Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, as reported by the Associated Press.

The conservatorship took effect in 2004, when Oher, who is now 37 years old, was 18 and living with the Tuohys. Under this agreement, Sean and Leigh Anne, both 63, were given legal authority over Oher's finances and had the ability to enter into business deals on his behalf.

As the conservatorship nears its end, Oher is reportedly requesting that the Tuohys disclose any profits they may have gained from the agreement. In response, Gomes expressed disbelief that the conservatorship existed in the first place, stating this on Friday.

Despite the dismissal of the conservatorship, Oher's legal battle with the Tuohys continues. In a recent lawsuit, Oher claims that he was unaware of being placed under conservatorship and only discovered the truth this year. He further alleges that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy financially benefitted from his story, which served as inspiration for the acclaimed movie "The Blind Side" released in 2009. Alongside seeking to end his conservatorship, Oher is also requesting the couple to provide him with his rightful share of profits and unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

The family's lawyer, Marty Singer, issued a statement on behalf of the Tuohys in response to the lawsuit, asserting that the couple had fulfilled their promise to share the profits of The Blind Side equally with the family. The Tuohys further alleged that Oher had threatened to tarnish their reputation through the media unless they paid him a hefty sum of $15 million. (Sean and Leigh Anne have a daughter named Collins, 36, and a son named Sean "SJ" Jr., 30.)

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Sean, on his part, argued that the conservatorship was the sole means by which Oher was allowed to attend and participate in football at the University of Mississippi, Ole Miss. Michael Lewis, the author of The Blind Side book, later informed The Washington Post that the Tuohys earned approximately $350,000 in royalties from the 2009 film and intended to share the money with the entire family, including Oher. Lewis, aged 62, alleged that Oher ceased to cash his royalty checks, which the Tuohys then placed into a trust for him.

According to court documents obtained by We on August 23, Oher contended that Sean and Leigh Anne negotiated his movie contract on his behalf. The documents stated, "The co-conservators failed to provide [Oher] with any written documentation regarding the earnings they obtained from the movie. [He] has been left uninformed, having to rely solely on the verbal assurances from his co-conservators."

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Following Oher’s lawyer's actions, on August 29, subpoenas were issued to the Creative Artists Agency and Alcon Entertainment. These subpoenas requested the submission of "all documents and communications" pertaining to the former athlete's movie contracts and payments. Additionally, a third subpoena was sent to the Memphis Shelby County Schools system, seeking any communications or documents related to Oher.

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As the legal battle rages on, court documents filed earlier this month by the Tuohys reveal that they had no intention of officially adopting Oher, despite affectionately referring to him as their son. The couple maintains that they never assumed legal custody, but always regarded Michael as a son. They vehemently deny causing him any irreparable harm, loss, or damages, whether in the past, present, or future.

Leigh Anne Tuohy