The Blind Side: A Controversial Portrayal of ex-NFL Star Michael Oher
A revealing CNN documentary exposes the intricate dynamics and challenges endured by former NFL star Michael Oher in his relationship with the Tuohy family Gain insights into the complexities of their bond in this thought-provoking release
A new CNN documentary, "Blindsided," reveals the truth about former NFL player Michael Oher's story as portrayed in the book and film "The Blind Side." Premiering on Max this Thursday, November 16, the documentary explores the complicated and strained relationship between Oher and the Tuohy family.
The Tuohy family from Memphis, Tennessee, welcomed Other into their affluent household. Living with Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, Other's life and experiences were the inspiration for the critically acclaimed 2009 film "The Blind Side." The movie tells the compelling story of an offensive lineman's journey from homelessness and poverty to achieving football stardom in college and the NFL, all with the support and guidance of the Tuohy family.
However, "Blindsided" presents a contrasting portrayal of Oher's upbringing, disputing the film's portrayal of him as unsophisticated, uneducated, and solely dependent on the family's assistance for his achievements.
On January 24, 2016, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Michael Oher from the Carolina Panthers observes a play in the NFC Championship Game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium.
According to the Touhy family's court filing, Michael Oher received a payment of $138,000 for his involvement in The Blind Side movie and book. After witnessing a scene from the movie where Oher hands in a test without responding to any questions but instead draws a stick figure on a boat, Quinterio Franklin, a former classmate and Super Bowl winner, expresses his embarrassment for Oher as a friend. Franklin deems the scene inaccurate and hurtful.
Anthony Burrow, a former caregiver of Oher, agrees, stating in the documentary that Oher is highly intelligent and capable. He also mentions that the portrayal of Oher in the movie was completely different from the reality. Oher attended Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, located east of Memphis, and he began living with the Tuohys and joining them on shopping trips during his junior year.
The story depicted in "The Blind Side," based on the 2006 book by Michael Lewis, became a widely acclaimed movie that enjoyed immense success, earning over $330 million at the box office and earning Sandra Bullock an Oscar for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy. However, the accuracy of certain scenes has been called into question, such as the portrayal of SJ Tuohy teaching Oher the fundamentals of football using sauce bottles as a representation of players.
"I apologize for my contribution in further exacerbating his discomfort in the role he observed," reflects Quinton Aaron, the actor who portrayed Oher in "The Blind Side," in the documentary. He later explains, "However, in the context of Hollywood, one must consider the intended audience for whom this film is targeted and marketed."
Previously, Oher stated that the film "diminished the effort and commitment I put into my journey," expressing his dissatisfaction with the portrayal of his literacy skills or lack thereof.
"When you go into a locker room and your teammates dont think that you can learn a playbook, that weighs heavy," Oher told The Jim Rome Show earlier this year.
Oher sits on the beach during an NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills in 2010.
Nick Wass/AP
In August, Oher submitted a petition to a Tennessee court seeking to terminate his conservatorship with the Tuohys. He alleged that the conservatorship had withheld millions of dollars from him, including his portion of the film earnings. Oher also stated in the petition that the Tuohys had informed him of their intention to adopt him. A conservatorship is a legal agreement that empowers a person appointed by the court to make decisions relating to finance, healthcare, and other matters on behalf of an adult.
It is commonly utilized when an adult is deemed incapable of autonomously making decisions due to a severe mental illness, a disability, or other incapacitating circumstances.
Michael Oher, the 23rd draft pick for the Baltimore Ravens, poses for a photo with his family at the 2009 NFL Draft held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25, 2009. (Photo credit: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
The Tuohys strongly deny Michael Oher's allegations and state that they are willing to terminate the conservatorship at any given time. In September, a Tennessee judge ended the Tuohys' conservatorship over Oher. According to recent court documents filed by the Tuohy family, Oher and his son received over $138,000 from the earnings of "The Blind Side" book and movie, spanning from 2007 to April of this year. Oher has until November 28 to present any objections to the Tuohys' document.
The filing stated that the Tuohys have never received any funds or had control over any monetary transactions as conservators for Michael Oher. Furthermore, throughout the duration of the conservatorship, they had no involvement in any financial matters on Oher's behalf. In a separate court filing from September, the Tuohys stated that they strongly deny informing Oher of their intention to adopt him and consistently acted in his best interest.
According to Oher's petition to terminate his conservatorship, he and his lawyers accused the Tuohys of exploiting him for their own gain, taking advantage of a young and naive athlete with potential.
In the "Blindsided" documentary, Joseph Crone, a former teammate of Oher's at Briarcrest, contradicts the Tuohy family's claim that they never intended to legally adopt Oher, stating that this goes against what has been stated over the past two decades.
Meanwhile, Nate Hale, the foster brother of Ohers, elucidates on his experience growing up in foster care and highlights the immense significance of hearing someone refer to him as "adopted," as it profoundly resonates with individuals who have previously felt a sense of loneliness and isolation.
"In my opinion," Hale emphasizes, "it is a tremendous act of betrayal to hear those individuals whom you believed genuinely cared for you confess that adoption was never their intention."
Attorneys representing the Tuohys stated in August that the family does not "require" Oher's financial assistance, as Mr. Tuohy sold his company for $220 million. Oher chose not to be interviewed for the CNN documentary due to ongoing legal proceedings, and the Tuohy family also declined to participate in an interview.
During his NFL career, Oher played for eight seasons, starting 110 games. In 2013, he achieved a Super Bowl victory with the Baltimore Ravens before transitioning to the Tennessee Titans and later the Carolina Panthers. Oher retired at the age of 30 in 2017.
