Michael Oher is a former American football tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons.
He gained recognition for his college football career at the University of Mississippi, where he received All-American honors.
Oher was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played a significant role in the team’s Super Bowl XLVII victory.
His life story, particularly his journey from a challenging childhood to success in football, was depicted in Michael Lewis’ book, The Blind Side, and its film adaptation.
Oher faced controversies regarding his alleged adoption by the Tuohy family, which was portrayed in the movie.
Despite the success of The Blind Side, Oher has expressed concerns about the film’s impact on his career and public perception.
| Net worth | $12 million |
| Profession | Former NFL player |
| Date of birth | May 28, 1986 |
| Nationality | American |
Background and early life
Oher, born on May 28, 1986, in Memphis, Tennessee, faced a challenging childhood marked by adversity.
He was one of 12 children born to parents struggling with addiction and legal issues.
Oher experienced foster care and homelessness from a young age, moving between different homes and schools.
His life took a significant turn when he was taken in by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, who later became his legal guardians.
Despite his difficult upbringing, Oher excelled in football during his high school years, eventually becoming a highly sought-after prospect in Tennessee.
He received multiple scholarship offers from Division 1 schools and ultimately chose to attend the University of Mississippi.
Oher’s college football career was impressive, earning accolades such as First Team Freshman All-America and First Team All-SEC honors.
In the NFL, he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2009 and played a pivotal role in the team’s Super Bowl XLVII victory in 2013.
Net worth
Oher has an estimated net worth of $12 million.
Throughout his NFL career, he earned a total salary of $34 million, reflecting his success as an offensive tackle in the league.
Despite facing challenges and controversies, including a lawsuit against the Tuohy family related to the film’s portrayal of his adoption, Oher has established himself as a prominent figure in the world of American football.
His journey from a difficult childhood to professional success has captivated audiences and highlighted the resilience and determination that define his career and personal life.
Salary and contracts
Oher had a successful NFL career, playing for the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, and Carolina Panthers.
He signed multiple contracts throughout his time in the league.
Oher’s first contract was a rookie deal with the Ravens, where he made $13,495,000 over five seasons.
He then signed a four-year, $20 million contract with the Titans, but was released after one season.
Oher later joined the Panthers, initially signing a two-year, $7 million contract, followed by a three-year, $21.6 million contract extension.
In total, Oher earned $34.17 million during his NFL career, with $19.31 million guaranteed.
Additionally, he received royalties from The Blind Side, totaling $10 million.
Despite controversies surrounding his adoption by the Tuohy family, Oher’s career earnings reflect his success as an offensive tackle in the NFL.
The Blind Side royalties
Oher received $138,311.01 in royalties from The Blind Side between 2007 and 2023, as revealed in court documents filed by attorneys for Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy.
The payments were part of an agreement where the proceeds from the book and movie were split five ways between the Tuohy family and Oher.
The last payment Oher received was on April 17, 2023, amounting to $8,480.10.
The legal dispute surrounding these royalties stemmed from allegations that the Tuohys had kept financial information from Oher, leading to a motion to compel accounting.
Oher, whose life story inspired the film, had previously filed a petition to end a conservatorship he claimed he was misled into signing at age 18.
The court documents shed light on the financial aspects of Oher’s involvement with The Blind Side, revealing the distribution of proceeds and the ongoing legal complexities surrounding the royalties.
Car collection
Oher has an impressive car collection that includes a BMW-7 series car, among other vehicles.
Despite facing challenges in his childhood, he excelled in football, becoming a prominent figure in the NFL.
Oher’s car collection reflects his success and includes luxury vehicles like the BMW-7 series, showcasing his achievements and lifestyle as a professional athlete.
Real estate
Oher, known for his inspiring story depicted in The Blind Side, purchased a $1.3 million home in Brentwood, Tennessee, featuring six bedrooms, eight bathrooms and various luxurious amenities.
This 8,126-square-foot property sits on 2.1 acres of land and includes a home office, formal dining room, modern kitchen, home theater and more.
Oher’s house was initially listed for $1.43 million, making his purchase a bargain.
In contrast, Michael Zingraf Real Estate specializes in luxury properties in Morocco, offering elite residences, sumptuous villas and authentic riads, blending Moroccan architecture with modern comfort.
Their properties feature infinity pools, lush gardens and panoramic views, embodying luxury living in enchanting settings.
College career
Oher had a remarkable college football career at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).
As a freshman offensive lineman, he played 11 games and started 10 of them at the right guard position.
Oher received recognition as a first-team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News and first-team Freshman All-SEC for his performance in 2005.
He continued to excel in his sophomore year, earning second-team All-SEC honors.
In Oher’s junior year, he solidified his dominance at the left tackle position, being selected as a consensus first-team All-SEC player in 2007.
Despite initially declaring for the 2008 NFL Draft, Oher decided to return for his senior season at Ole Miss.
During his senior year, Oher was a key leader on the team, contributing to their first winning record since 2003.
He was once again recognized as a consensus first-team All-SEC player and received first-team All-America honors from The Associated Press.
Oher’s success in college football paved the way for his entry into the NFL, where he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2009 and went on to have a successful professional career.
Pro career
Oher had a successful professional football career in the NFL, playing primarily as an offensive tackle.
He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
Oher played five seasons with the Ravens, contributing significantly to the team’s success, including their victory in Super Bowl XLVII.
After his time with the Ravens, Oher briefly played for the Tennessee Titans before joining the Carolina Panthers.
With the Panthers, Oher signed multiple contracts, including a notable three-year, $21.6 million deal.
In 2015, Oher played a crucial role as the left tackle for the Panthers, helping protect quarterback Cam Newton’s blind side during their Super Bowl run.
Despite facing injuries and physical challenges towards the end of his career, Oher’s journey from a challenging childhood to professional success remains an inspiring story in the world of American football.
Michael Oher accolades
Oher received numerous accolades and honors throughout his football career, both in college and professionally.
In college, during his freshman year in 2005, Oher was named a First-team Freshman All-American by the FWAA and The Sporting News, as well as First-team SEC All-Freshman.
In his sophomore year, he earned Second-team All-SEC honors, followed by First-team All-SEC recognition in his junior year.
Oher’s senior year in 2008 was particularly impressive, as he achieved Unanimous First-team All-American status from various organizations, including the FWAA, AP and The Sporting News.
He also received the Shug Jordan Award for Southeast Offensive Lineman of the Year and was inducted into the Ole Miss Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
Professionally, Oher played in the NFL for teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans.and Carolina Panthers.
He notably contributed to the Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII victory in 2013.
Oher’s impact on and off the field, as well as his resilience and dedication, have solidified his legacy in the world of American football.
Philanthropic efforts
Oher’s philanthropic efforts have been a topic of discussion, particularly regarding his foundation and charitable activities.
He runs The Oher Foundation, which aims to provide empowering opportunities to individuals in need and disadvantaged circumstances.
Despite his substantial earnings from his NFL career, estimated at around $34 million, Oher has faced scrutiny for the perceived lack of charitable contributions through his foundation.
The Oher Foundation, originally named Beating the Odds, was established in 2011 in Mississippi but faced challenges, including not filing tax returns and losing its 501(c)(3) status.
The foundation was later reestablished in Tennessee in 2016.
However, financial records show minimal charitable giving, raising questions about the foundation’s impact and Oher’s commitment to philanthropy.
Despite Oher’s personal struggles and experiences with poverty and homelessness, his foundation’s financial statements have indicated limited support to those in need, prompting discussions about the effectiveness of his philanthropic endeavors.
Personal life
Oher is married to Tiffany Roy, his long-term partner, whom he married on November 5, 2022, at the JW Marriott in Nashville, Tennessee.
The couple had been dating for over 17 years before getting engaged in July 2021.
They have four children together: sons Kobi and MJ, and daughters Kierstin and Naivi.
All of Michael and Tiffany’s children were born before their marriage.
The family tends to keep a low profile, with Michael and Tiffany rarely sharing about their children on social media.
Tiffany, who runs a clothing business called Feminish Collection, has praised Oher for being an exceptional husband and father, highlighting his cooking skills and dedication to their family.
Despite Oher’s challenging upbringing and experiences with foster care and homelessness, he has found stability and happiness in his family life, prioritizing his role as a husband and father alongside his philanthropic efforts to support underprivileged communities.
Accusations against the Tuohy Family
Oher has accused the Tuohy family, portrayed in The Blind Side, of deceiving him by allegedly never adopting him but instead obtaining a conservatorship over him, which he claims deprived him of millions of dollars from the film.
He petitioned a Tennessee court, stating that the Tuohys enriched themselves through deals related to his story.
The Tuohys denies these allegations, asserting they treated Oher like a son and shared profits equally.
Oher’s petition seeks to end the conservatorship, stop the family from using his name, and requests financial compensation.
The Tuohys, on the other hand, view Oher’s claims as a “shakedown” and emphasize their love and support for him.
The situation has led to legal disputes and differing perspectives on the nature of their relationship and financial arrangements.
Michael Oher biological parents
Oher’s biological mother is Denise Oher, who struggled with alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction.
His father, Michael Jerome Williams, was frequently in prison and was murdered while Oher was a senior in high school.
Oher was one of 12 children born to Denise Oher, and his challenging upbringing included periods of homelessness and foster care.
John Oher, one of Michael’s biological siblings, shared that their family’s story was not accurately portrayed in The Blind Side movie, highlighting discrepancies between the film and the book by Michael Lewis.
John expressed that the truth of their family’s situation wasn’t accurately depicted in the movie adaptation but felt that the book provided a more truthful account of their family life.