Michael Oher is asking for privacy for both him and his family.
The former NFL player, who is the subject of the 2009 film The Blind Side, filed a legal petition to end the conservatorship enacted after he turned 18 in 2004 which named Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy his conservators. Per the documents, Michael alleges that, in lieu of formally adopting him, the couple "falsely advised" him to sign a document giving them the legal right to make business deals in his name, asserting doing so would make him a member of the family.
Now, he is personally addressing his decision to take legal action.
"I am disheartened by the revelation shared in the lawsuit today," Michael said in a statement to E! News through his attorney Aug. 15. "This is a difficult situation for my family and me. I want to ask everyone to please respect our privacy at this time. For now, I will let the lawsuit speak for itself and will offer no further comment."
In court documents obtained by E! News August 14, Michael alleges that the conservatorship gave the Tuohy family legal power to complete business deals in his name. The documents also claim that the Tuohy family received $225,000 each for The Blind Side in addition to 2.5 percent of the film's "defined net proceeds," whereas Michael received no money from the movie chronicling the story of his life.
Michael only learned in February of this year that the conservatorship he signed did not make him a legal member of the Tuohy family, according to the former Tennessee Titans player's filing.
"Since at least August of 2004, Conservators 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 and the foundations which they own or which they exercise control," the legal filing states. "All monies made in said manner should in all conscience and equity be disgorged and paid over to the said ward, Michael Oher."
For their part, members of the Tuohy family have spoken out about the lawsuit, with Sean telling the Daily Memphian on August 14 that they are "devastated" over the allegations.
He further denied Michael's claims over The Blind Side's profits, instead claiming each member of the family, including Michael, received an equal cut of about $14,000 from the share that The Blind Side book author Michael Lewis gave to the family.
"It's upsetting to think we would make money off any of our children," he told the outlet. "But we're going to love Michael at 37 just like we loved him at 16."
Sean "SJ" Tuohy Jr. echoed his father's comments about the family profiting off the movie.
"Man, if I had $2 million in my bank account, it would be in my email signature and say, ‘Signed, SJ Tuohy, multi-millionaire,'" he said while a guest on Barstool Radio August 14. "I get it, why he's mad. I completely understand. It stinks that it'll play out on a very public stage."
SJ prefaced his comments with the assertion he has and always will love Michael. "You will never hear me say anything bad about Michael Oher in any capacity other than I'm upset that he feels the way that he does," he later added. "I think some of the things that were mentioned in the probate or book or whatever I don't necessarily agree with and or remember happening like that.
E! News has reached out to the Tuohys for comment but has not heard back.
Keep reading to look at photos of the Tuohys and Michael Oher over the years.
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.