Topics: Michael Oher, The Blind Side, NFL
Michael Oher, the NFL footballer whose story inspired The Blind Side, has recalled his reaction to seeing the Sandra Bullock movie for the first time.
Oher was taken in by Memphis couple Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy when he was a teenager, after experiencing difficulties in his home life.
The couple got him a tutor, helped him get his driving license and bought him clothes and food, all the while encouraging the football career that eventually led him to the NFL.
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His story formed the basis for the 2009 drama in which Bullock starred as the character of Leigh Anne; a 'mother bear' type who fiercely defended Oher and who encouraged him to be his best.
However, Oher, who's now 38 years old, has expressed belief he was misrepresented in the movie, and is still concerned today about the impacts it will have on his life.
Last year, the footballer sued the Tuohys, claiming they profited off his story and asking to dissolve the conservatorship put in place when Oher was 18. At the time, he believed he was signing adoption papers, the lawsuit claimed.
In response, lawyers for the Tuohys argued they have a right to tell their story, of which Oher is a part.
Sean Tuohy also told The Daily Memphian it was 'upsetting' to think he or Leigh Anne would 'make money off any of our children'.
In a new interview with The New York Times, Oher explained that he didn't watch The Blind Side - which earned more than $300 million at the box office - as soon as it came out.
The movie was based on Michael Lewis’s 2006 book of the same name, and Oher told The Times he felt the book alone had already had an impact on his character.
“The N.F.L. people were wondering if I could read a playbook,” he said.
Eventually, however, a fellow footballer persuaded Oher to go and watch the movie at a theatre.
He admitted his reaction to seeing what was supposed to be his story play out on screen was 'hard to describe', adding: “It seemed kind of funny to me, to tell you the truth, like it was a comedy about someone else."
"It didn’t register," he continued. "But social media was just starting to grow, and I started seeing stuff that I’m dumb. I’m stupid. Every article about me mentioned ‘The Blind Side,’ like it was part of my name.”
Fifteen years on, Oher is still concerned about the impacts the movie may have on his personal life.
“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 wondered.
The lawsuit between Oher and the Tuohys is still ongoing.
