Conservatorship Agreement between Former NFL Athlete Michael Oher and Memphis Couple Terminated by Judge

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A judge in Tennessee announced on Friday the termination of a conservatorship arrangement between Michael Oher, a former NFL player, and a Memphis couple, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, who had taken him into their home during his high school years. However, the widely publicized disagreement regarding financial matters is set to persist.

Judge Kathleen Gomes of the Shelby County Probate Court stated that she is dissolving the 2004 agreement that empowered the Tuohys to oversee Oher’s financial affairs. Oher had consented to this agreement at 18 years of age while he was residing with the Tuohys and being scouted by colleges for his extraordinary football talent. This narrative later became the basis for the award-winning movie, “The Blind Side,” which won an Oscar for actress Sandra Bullock.

While Judge Gomes is closing this chapter, the legal battle itself remains ongoing. Oher has petitioned for a complete financial disclosure from the Tuohys, alleging that they exploited his name, image, and likeness for their financial gain under false pretenses—specifically that they had led him to believe they were adopting him.

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In the state of Tennessee, a conservatorship typically transfers the right of self-governance from an individual, generally in cases involving medical conditions or disabilities. However, according to Oher’s legal filing, his conservatorship was approved even though he was of legal age and exhibited no discernible physical or psychological disabilities.

Judge Gomes expressed her astonishment that such an agreement could have been made, indicating that in her 43-year career, she had never encountered a conservatorship involving a non-disabled individual. “It is inconceivable that this occurred,” she noted.

Both parties were present via video conferencing during the proceedings, though neither spoke. Legal representatives from both sides agreed that the conservatorship should conclude, but the case will endure to resolve Oher’s allegations. Judge Gomes opined that this should have been resolved much earlier.

In a court action initiated in August, the 37-year-old Oher accused the Tuohys of deceiving him almost two decades ago by making him sign documents that appointed them as his conservators, not as adoptive parents as he had been led to believe. Oher is seeking a termination of the conservatorship, an exhaustive accounting of revenues generated through his story and name, and compensatory payments with interest.

He asserts that the Tuohys have withheld information about financial transactions involving his name, image, and likeness for the entire 19-year duration of the agreement. The Tuohys have countered these allegations as absurd, injurious, and as part of an extortion scheme.

Legal documents from the Tuohys claim they had provided Oher with essentials such as food, shelter, and clothing, while vehemently denying any promise of legal adoption. They argued that the conservatorship was established to align with NCAA regulations, enabling Oher to attend the University of Mississippi, where Sean Tuohy had been a prominent basketball player.

The Tuohys also contested Oher’s claim that he only recently discovered he was not legally adopted, pointing to his 2011 book “I Beat the Odds,” where he acknowledges their status as conservators.

The lawyers representing the couple stated that a modest advance was negotiated for the Tuohys from the creators of “The Blind Side,” which was adapted from a book by Sean Tuohy’s friend, Michael Lewis. They claim both the Tuohys and Oher received roughly $100,000 each and that taxes on Oher’s share were duly paid by the couple.

The Tuohys further clarified that they never executed any professional football contracts on behalf of Oher. According to them, Oher expressed satisfaction with the financial arrangements stemming from “The Blind Side.”

Michael Oher was selected as the 23rd overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft from the University of Mississippi. He initially played for the Baltimore Ravens, earning a Super Bowl title, and later played for the Tennessee Titans and the Carolina Panthers, totaling 110 games over eight NFL seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about conservatorship termination

More about conservatorship termination

• The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis
• Tennessee Conservatorship Law Overview
• Michael Oher’s NFL Career Statistics
• Shelby County Probate Court Decisions
• NCAA Rules and Regulations on Student-Athlete Welfare
• Financial Aspects of Conservatorships in Tennessee
• History of High-Profile Conservatorship Cases
• Sean Tuohy’s Basketball Career at the University of Mississippi