Michael Oher: ‘Blind Side’ household who helped teen develop into NFL star ‘devastated’ by his claims
A household who took in a homeless teenager who then made it to the NFL – in a narrative that impressed successful movie – are “devastated” by claims they took benefit of him.
They additionally allege he tried a “shakedown”, threatening destructive protection except they paid him $15m (£11.8m).
Michael Oher earlier this week accused Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy of lying when he signed papers making them his conservators as an 18-year-old.
He stated he was instructed it might make them his adoptive dad and mom – when it didn’t, and that he did not perceive he was “signing away” his rights.
Oher claims the household profited by promoting his story – which turned 2009’s The Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock – and says he made nothing from it.
He needs compensation and an finish to the conservatorship – an settlement permitting somebody to take authorized guardianship over an grownup.
Oher claimed he solely came upon in February that the conservatorship “provided him no familial relationship”.
Read extra:
‘I love you Lizzo!’: Beyoncé shouts out lawsuit-hit singer
Bradley Cooper criticised for wearing prosthetic nose to portray Jewish conductor
The 37-year-old performed eight seasons within the NFL after being drafted in 2009 and gained a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.
A press release for the Tuoys stated his accusations had been “absurd”, and claimed that earlier than he began his authorized motion he demanded $15m from them.
Oher pictured with the NFL commissioner in 2009 when he was drafted by Baltimore Ravens
Randall Fishman, a lawyer for the Memphis couple, instructed reporters on Wednesday: “To say they were devastated by these allegations is truly an understatement… They would never do anything to deprive Michael of anything that was his.”
The household claimed of their assertion to be value “hundreds of millions of dollars” and stated they would not have tried to cheat Oher.
They stated they negotiated a small advance and a “tiny percentage” of the movie’s earnings – to be divided equally between Oher and members of the family – with cheques and statements stated to again this up.
Oher allegedly refused to money the cheques, so that they put the cash in a belief account.
“They have consistently treated him like a son and one of their three children,” the assertion added.
Mr Fishman stated the couple now intend to finish the conservatorship – and that it had been set as much as assist Oher with medical health insurance, a driver’s licence and entering into college.