Michael Oher Says Lawsuit Against Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy Isn't About Money: ‘I’ve Got Millions of Dollars’

Mar. 15, 2025

Michael Ohersays his reasoning for filing a lawsuit againstSean and Leigh Anne Tuohywasn’t based on financial gain.

He has his own money, he told theTimes.

Michael Oher; Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy.Scott Cunningham/Getty; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Scott Cunningham/Getty; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

“I worked hard for that moment when I was done playing, and saved my money so I could enjoy the time,” he told theNYT. “I’ve got millions of dollars. I’m fine.”

According to Over the Cap, a site that tracks NFL salaries, the Super Bowl champion earned $34 million from the three NFL teams he played for.

TheBlind Sidebrought in $309.2 million at the box office following its 2009 release and won multiple awards, includingSandra Bullock’s Academy Award and Golden Globe for her portrayal of Tuohy family matriarch Leigh Anne.

Carolina Panthers tackle Michael Oher.Ric Tapia via AP)

Ric Tapia via AP)

“The family, including Mr. Oher, came to a verbal agreement to divide the proceeds from the book and the movie revenues evenly. Mr. Oher received and accepted one fifth (1/5) of the total payments through 2016, subsequently, his share has been deposited into an account for the benefit of his son,” the document from March 2024 reads.

During his in-depth interview with theNYT, Oher allowed that living with the Tuohys in Tennessee was “great” because the wealthy family purchased clothing for him and even hired a tutor so he would be eligible to play college football — among other things.

“I had a bed to stay on. I was eating good. They got me a truck,” he continued.

Michael Oher visits SiriusXM at SiriusXM Studios on August 09, 2023 in New York City.Roy Rochlin/Getty

Roy Rochlin/Getty

However, Oher skipped the film’s premiere, conflicted because of how he was “defined” in both the book and drama, which he believed painted him as “dumb.” When he finally did watch the movie about a month later, he said, “It didn’t register.”

Oher said his portrayal in the film made others question his intelligence, and had cost him a higher draft position.

“The NFL people were wondering if I could read a playbook,” he said.

“I started seeing stuff that I’m dumb. I’m stupid. Every article about me mentionedThe Blind Side, like it was part of my name,” he added of the social media era beginning to bloom.

Oher, who had sincemarried and welcomed children, feared for how his family would be perceived.

“If my kids can’t do something in class, will their teacher think, ‘Their dad is dumb — is that why they’re not getting it?’ " he said.

Michael Oher with Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy.Matthew Sharpe/Getty

Matthew Sharpe/Getty

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According to the former football star, he waited more than a decade to file the lawsuit because he was focusing on his career.

“Pro football’s a hard job. You have to be locked in 100 percent,” he said. “I went along with their narrative because I really had to focus on my NFL career, not things off the field.”

The Tuohys claimed in a 2023 filing that they “never signed any contract” on Oher’s behalf since his conservatorship began.

source: people.com