The Sunday Read: ‘The Blind Side’ Made Him Famous. But He Has a Different Story to Tell.
Digest
This podcast delves into the real-life story behind the movie "The Blind Side," focusing on the lawsuit filed by Michael Orr against the Tuohy family. The episode begins with an introduction by Michael Sullivan from WireCutter, highlighting the focus on testing canned tomatoes. The podcast then shifts to a discussion with Michael Socklove, a contributing writer for the New York Times magazine, who explores the complexities of the relationship between Orr and the Tuohy family. The episode features interviews with Michael Orr, who shares his perspective on the movie and its impact on his life, and the Tuohy family, who provide their side of the story. The podcast examines the movie's portrayal of Orr as intellectually disabled and helpless, contrasting it with Orr's own account of his abilities and resilience. It also explores the legal battle surrounding the conservatorship established between Orr and the Tuohy family, highlighting the conflicting perspectives and the allegations of exploitation and misrepresentation. The episode concludes with a discussion of the aftermath of the movie and its impact on Orr's life, including his struggles with identity, fame, and the challenges he faced after leaving the NFL.
Outlines
The Blind Side: A Story of Exploitation and Misrepresentation
This podcast explores the complex relationship between Michael Orr, the subject of the movie "The Blind Side," and the Tuohy family, revealing a lawsuit alleging exploitation and misrepresentation of Orr's story.
Michael Orr's Childhood and Early Life
Michael Orr, the subject of the movie "The Blind Side," shares his childhood experiences in Memphis, including his struggles with poverty, homelessness, and his resilience as a young athlete.
The Blind Side Movie and its Impact
The podcast examines the movie "The Blind Side" and its portrayal of the Tuohy family's charity towards Michael Orr, contrasting it with the lawsuit filed by Orr, alleging exploitation and misrepresentation of his story.
The Tuohy Family's Perspective
The Tuohy family provides their perspective on their relationship with Michael Orr, addressing the allegations of exploitation and misrepresentation, and highlighting their involvement in the community and their connection to prominent figures.
The Aftermath and Michael Orr's Perspective on his Life
The podcast explores the aftermath of the movie and its impact on Michael Orr's life, highlighting his struggles with identity, fame, and the challenges he faced after leaving the NFL.
Keywords
Conservatorship
A legal arrangement where a court appoints a person (conservator) to manage the financial affairs and/or personal care of another person (conservatee) who is deemed unable to do so themselves.
Exploitation
Taking unfair advantage of someone for personal gain, often involving the use of power or influence to manipulate or control another person.
Misrepresentation
The act of presenting something falsely or inaccurately, often with the intention to deceive or mislead.
Blind Side
A term used in American football to describe the area behind a quarterback that is not protected by offensive linemen. It also refers to the 2009 movie based on the book of the same name, which tells the story of Michael Orr and the Tuohy family.
Michael Orr
The subject of the movie "The Blind Side," who filed a lawsuit against the Tuohy family alleging exploitation and misrepresentation of his story.
Tuohy Family
The family who took in Michael Orr during his high school football career, portrayed as charitable in the movie "The Blind Side," but accused by Orr of exploiting his story.
Michael Lewis
A renowned American non-fiction author known for his books on finance, sports, and culture, including "Moneyball," "The Big Short," and "The Blind Side."
NCAA
A governing body for college sports in the United States, responsible for setting eligibility rules and overseeing athletic programs.
Ole Miss
A public research university located in Oxford, Mississippi, known for its strong athletic programs, particularly in football.
Q&A
What is the main conflict between Michael Orr and the Tuohy family?
Michael Orr claims that the Tuohy family exploited his story and misrepresented their relationship with him, profiting from his name and image while not fairly compensating him for the movie "The Blind Side."
How did the movie "The Blind Side" portray Michael Orr?
The movie portrayed Michael Orr as intellectually disabled and helpless, needing the Tuohy family's help to succeed, which Orr believes is a misrepresentation of his true character and abilities.
What is the significance of the conservatorship established between Michael Orr and the Tuohy family?
The conservatorship gave the Tuohy family control over Michael Orr's finances and major life decisions, which Orr argues was misused for their own benefit, despite his lack of any disabilities.
What is Michael Orr's current perspective on his life and the events surrounding the movie "The Blind Side"?
Michael Orr feels betrayed by the Tuohy family and the movie's portrayal of his story, struggling with the fame and the negative impact it has had on his life. He is seeking to reclaim his identity and ensure his story is told accurately.
What is the role of Michael Lewis in this story?
Michael Lewis, the author of the book "The Blind Side," played a significant role in bringing the story to light, but his book and the subsequent movie have been criticized for their portrayal of Michael Orr and the Tuohy family's actions.
What is the current status of the lawsuit filed by Michael Orr against the Tuohy family?
The lawsuit is ongoing, with a hearing scheduled for October 1st. The outcome of the legal proceedings may shed light on the complexities of the relationship between Michael Orr and the Tuohy family, but it may not provide a clear resolution to their dispute.
Show Notes
It was an overcast Monday afternoon in late April, and Michael Oher, the former football player whose high school years were dramatized in the movie “The Blind Side,” was driving Michael Sokolove on a tour through a forlorn-looking stretch of Memphis and past some of the landmarks of his childhood.
In the movie, Oher moves into the home of the wealthy white couple Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy. They take him shopping for clothes, help him obtain a driver’s license, buy him a pickup truck and arrange for tutoring that helps improve his grades and makes him eligible to play college football. In real life, Oher went on to play eight seasons as a starting offensive tackle in the N.F.L. and won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, Oher is suing the Tuohys, claiming that they have exploited him by using his name, image and likeness to promote speaking engagements that have earned them roughly $8 million over the last two decades — and by repeatedly saying that they adopted him when they never did.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
Table of contents
United States
