Michael Oher was spotted stepping out in public for the first time since filing a bombshell lawsuit that claimed his parents, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, never actually adopted him.
The 37-year-old former offensive tackle attended a Baltimore book signing event on Monday for his recent memoir release, titled “When Your Back’s Against the Wall: Fame, Football, and Lessons Learned through a Lifetime of Adversity.”
And during his outing, the ex-NFL star was pictured beaming from ear to ear while posing with fans at the event.
After signing some copies for fans, Oher briefly addressed the crowd, telling them he couldn’t divulge much information about what’s currently happening as the case is legally binding.
“This book, it means a lot to me,” Oher said. “Basically, it’s a playbook on life and how I continue to fight back and when your back’s against the wall. That’s how I’ve felt all my life.”
Oher donned a floral short-sleeve shirt for the outing, which he paired with beige khaki pants and a gold necklace with a cross pendant.
The former athlete sent social media into orbit last week after claiming in court documents that he was never actually adopted by the Tuohys.
Oher claimed the conservatorship he was in allowed the Memphis couple to retain legal power over him and that they made millions from “The Blind Side” — which grossed $300 million at the box office — while didn’t get a cent.
He accused the Tuohys of falsely representing themselves as his adoptive parents, saying he discovered in February that the conservatorship was not the arrangement he believed it to be.
What we know about Michael Oher’s lawsuit against the Tuohy family
Former NFL player Michael Oher, the subject of the hit movie “The Blind Side,” claims Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy never officially adopted him.
According to court papers, the Tuohys tricked Oher into signing over the legal authority to use his name in business deals after he turned 18.
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The 37-year-old alleged the Tuohys used their conservatorship to make millions in royalties from the 2009 Oscar-nominated 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 [Oher],” the legal filing said.
Sean Tuohy spoke out against the claims, saying the conservatorship was made to ensure that Oher was eligible to play football at the University of Mississippi.
Oher wants to end the Tuohys’ conservatorship and secure an injunction barring them from using his name and likeness.
He also wants an accounting of the money they’ve already earned off his name, a fair share of the profits, and punitive damages.
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He said that he was “falsely advised” that it would be called a conservatorship because he was already 18, but that adoption was actually the intent.
He is asking for a full accounting of the money earned off the use of his name, including the blockbuster 2009 flick starring Sandra Bullock and the novel that inspired it.
For their part, the Tuohy family has called Oher’s filing “hurtful” and “a shameful shakedown attempt” — claiming that Oher was well aware he had not been adopted.
The couple’s attorneys said the Tuohys and Oher have been estranged for about a decade.
With Post wires
