On Monday, ESPN dropped a bombshell story on Michael Oher of NFL and “The Blind Side” fame.
Oher, whose life story was the basis for the 2009 award-winning film, petitioned a Tennessee court with allegations that the film’s central story was actually a lie.
And that lie was that the Tuoys had actually adopted Oher.
Despite what we all saw in the feel-good film, Oher claims the couple tricked him into signing a document when he turned 18 that made them his conservators, which gave them the legal right to make business deals in his name.
Deals, according to Oher, that he was never compensated for. Meanwhile, the Tuoys reportedly received millions in royalties from the film.
“The lie of Michael’s adoption is one upon which Co-Conservators Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy have enriched themselves at the expense of their Ward, the undersigned Michael Oher,” stated the legal filing. “Michael Oher discovered this lie to his chagrin and embarrassment in February of 2023, when he learned that the Conservatorship to which he consented on the basis that doing so would make him a member of the Tuohy family, in fact provided him no familial relationship with the Tuohys.”
The Tuohys responded with shock.
“We’re devastated,” said Sean Tuohy. “It’s upsetting to think we would make money off any of our children. But we’re going to love Michael at 37 just like we loved him at 16.”
Marty Singer, the Tuohy’s lawyer, stated this wasn’t the first time Oher made this claim.
“Unbeknownst to the public, Mr. Oher has actually attempted to run this play several times before- but it seems that numerous other lawyers stopped representing him once they saw the evidence and learned the truth.”
Sean Tuohy went on to say that the family didn’t make any money off the movie and only received $14,000 from Michael Lewis, who authored “The Blind Side” book. He also stated that the family would do “whatever Michael wants,” including ending the conservatorship.
While the case plays out in court and in the media, this is a lesson for Black athletes in particular, one that teaches they must take ownership of their rights and narrative.
For too long we’ve witnessed the ways in which Black athletes, especially Black male athletes, are represented in the media.
We’ve heard coded language such as “thug” and “posse” and references to animals used when describing Black athletes.
Sometimes, the attempt to humiliate or belittle is more subtle.
This past April, Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas got into a dustup with ESPN over a photo used of him during his appearance on “Keyshawn, JWill & Max.”
The image showed Isiah as serious, almost scowling, which is the complete opposite of the usual smiling and laughing Thomas we commonly see. Justifiably, Isiah was offended.
“I saw Max Kellerman’s picture up there. I saw your picture up there. Y’all smiling,” said Thomas to the hosts. “Y’all just had my man up there doing the football, he was smiling. This is the picture you put up there of me?”
Some called him petty but he was absolutely right for calling it out. Intentionally or not, he was portrayed in a way that he’s really not, and to see it on national TV creates a narrative that he had every right to address immediately.
The media’s powerful storytelling ability can easily be weaponized against the subjects it covers.
Up until recently, how many times have we watched the NFL Draft emphasize a draftee’s background and have it vary between Black and white players?
White players were shown with happy families, lots of friends, academic achievements and jovial backgrounds.
But when Black draftees hit the screen, the description changes dramatically.
He comes from a single-family home. The mother was a former drug addict. He had to raise his brothers and sisters at the age of 14. They were homeless, etc., etc.
While that’s a reality for some, it’s not for all. And it definitely doesn’t need to be exploited on national television.
The ability to control a portrayal is a power that Black athletes need to take back, retain and control from the beginning.
Michael Oher’s petition reminds us that too many Black athletes have had their narratives snatched by slanted storytelling and a lack of understanding about ownership rights.
Barry Bonds is experiencing it now through an HBO documentary on his life, a project that he isn’t currently involved with.
“The filmmakers will include a diverse cast of influential figures from Barry Bonds’ life and career, and the opportunity for Bonds to actively participate and share his firsthand experiences remains available,” said HBO in the release.
So he gets his story told through interviews and archival footage but not through his own words and reactions?
While this isn’t new, it’s another example of how a Black athlete’s story can be told through the lens of everyone else but the athlete themself, especially in the case where the athlete was deemed “controversial.”
Oher’s case also touches on NIL.
College athletes fought for the right, and now have the ability, to be compensated for their Name, Image and Likeness.
And some of the biggest athletes who would have benefitted from NIL are Black athletes such as Reggie Bush, the Fab Five, the women’s basketball teams from UConn and Tennessee and numerous others.
While Oher’s story and current petition carry obvious racial storylines, it’s too easy to simply use race to explain his story and current predicament.
Instead, Black athletes should use this as a reminder.
You are in charge of your life, name, story and path. And while others will have a part in all of it, you should never relinquish the rights to the ultimate power in your life.
Your truth.
