In a candid interview with The New York Times Magazine, former NFL player Michael Oher has broken his silence on his high-profile lawsuit against his "adoptive" parents, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy. Oher, whose life story inspired the Oscar-nominated film The Blind Side, claims that he felt deceived by his parents, who allegedly profited off his personal story while he received little to nothing in return.

The controversy surrounding Oher's relationship with the Tuohys stems from the revelation that they did not legally adopt him as previously believed, but instead established a conservatorship over him when he was just 18 years old. Oher only discovered this in February 2023, prompting him to file a lawsuit against them last August.

Speaking to the magazine, Oher expressed his feelings of vulnerability when he first heard the words "I love you" from Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy. He believed he was part of a loving family, only to later have his trust shattered. "You let your guard down and then you get everything stripped from you. It turns into a hurt feeling," Oher revealed.

One of Oher's main grievances revolves around the way he was portrayed in the book and subsequent film adaptation of his life. He expressed disbelief at the depiction of him as unintelligent and incompetent before meeting the Tuohys. The pressure intensified with the rise of social media, where derogatory comments about his intelligence became prevalent. Oher also claimed that the existence of The Blind Side affected his draft position in the NFL, as teams questioned his ability to understand playbooks.

Amidst ongoing legal proceedings, Oher emphasized that his lawsuit is not solely about financial compensation but rather about challenging the false narrative that has become attached to his identity. "For a long time, I was so angry mentally," Oher admitted. "I want to be the person I was before The Blind Side, personality-wise. I'm still working on it."

As the lawsuit continues, Oher hopes to reclaim his sense of self and move forward from the perceived misrepresentation of his life. This case not only highlights the complexities surrounding fame and personal narratives but also prompts a deeper conversation about the ethical responsibilities of those who profit from others' stories.