The narrative that inspired the movie The Blind Side has taken a surprising turn.
In a new legal document, attorneys representing Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy submitted screenshots of text messages from Michael Oher. In these messages, Oher accused the couple of being “thieves” and demanded they send him more than $15 million. He also warned that if they didn’t meet his demands, he would reveal their dispute over the earnings from the 2009 film to the public.
The Tuohys have stated that they believe Oher’s request for a temporary injunction should be rejected. They assert that their family has already fulfilled any financial obligations to him but claim Oher has sent multiple intimidating text messages and emails demanding millions of dollars.
“If something isn’t resolved this Friday, I’m going to go ahead and tell the world. How I was robbed by my suppose to be [sic] parents. That’s the deadline,” one text from Oher read as another said, “It was 10 million now I want 15 after taxes.”
The Tuohy family did not include their responses to Oher’s messages in the screenshots presented in Monday’s filings.
“Needless to say, the menacing demands were shocking and hurtful to the Tuohys, who had always treated Mr. Oher with kindness and love,” the Tuohy family’s attorneys said.
In August, Oher revealed that he had recently discovered he was never formally adopted by the Tuohy family. He also believes the family was aware of this fact and intentionally withheld money rightfully owed to him from the film. Oher claimed he only became aware of being placed into a conservatorship with the Tuohys when he turned 18. His attorneys described this revelation as deeply distressing for Oher, who is now a father of two.
