Former NFL offensive lineman Michael Oher’s legal battle against the Tuohy family took a new turn this week, as the family filed their response to Oher’s petition to end a conservatorship that was arranged over a decade ago.
In their filing, the Tuohys admitted that they never legally adopted Oher, clarifying that they used the term “in the colloquial sense” and never intended for it to hold any legal implications. They explained that they were advised by lawyers that they could not adopt someone over the age of 18, although Tennessee law does not impose such limitations.
The question arises as to why the Tuohys chose not to adopt Oher, as it is now apparent that it was legally possible for them to do so. However, the bigger issue that has come to light is the accusation that the Tuohys took advantage of their relationship with Oher to withhold a fair share of revenue from the film adaptation of the book “The Blind Side,” which focused on their bond with Oher. The Tuohys vehemently deny any impropriety in the distribution of these funds.
The Tuohys also highlight that Oher himself acknowledged in his 2011 book that the relationship between them was a conservatorship and not an adoption. This point may play a role in their defense, suggesting that the statute of limitations for taking legal action may have expired.
Nevertheless, regardless of the legal complexities, it is becoming increasingly evident that the entire situation may have been orchestrated to direct Oher towards the college football program of the Tuohys’ preference. The Tuohys’ filing states that when it became apparent that Oher could not consider attending the University of Mississippi, the NCAA informed them that he could still attend Ole Miss if he was somehow part of the Tuohy family.
It remains unclear why the Tuohys did not adopt Oher when it was legally feasible, and why Oher waited until now to address the situation, years after learning that he was not legally adopted. The situation is undoubtedly disheartening and should ideally be resolved quickly if there is a true sense of family between the parties involved. Ultimately, it is lamentable that the situation has reached this point at all.