“The Blind Side” has taken a turn to “the dark side.”
Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning once parodied the now-controversial film “The Blind Side” — and resurfaced video of the spoof is shedding light on the industry’s attitude toward the Tuohy family.
Posted on X (formerly Twitter), the two-and-a-half-minute sketch, originally shown at the 2010 ESPY Awards, was inspired by the Oscar-nominated film based on the life of ex-NFL player Michael Oher, who was taken in by the Tuohy family as a teenager.
Manning stood in place of actor Quinton Aaron’s role as Michael Oher.
“She likes to collect football players. And now this quarterback is in a game of life and death,” the text narration read. “Was she crazy about football? Or just crazy. She wouldn’t let anyone get in her way.”
The 13-year-old bit, then fortuitously dubbed “The Dark Side,” resurfaced in the wake of Oher’s bombshell lawsuit which claims that the Tuohy family — who told the world they’d adopted the gifted athlete — had taken advantage of his talent and narrative.
Several scenes show “Blind Side” star Sandra Bullock as football mom Leigh Anne Tuohy, forcing Peyton to remain under her care even though he continuously mentions he does not need her help.
In one scene, Bullock prepares a bed for Manning, insisting that all pro athletes use futons when they can’t find a bed big enough for them.
Manning admits, “I’ve never had one before.”
“What? A futon?” Bullock responds.
“No, a crazy lady holding me against my will,” Manning reveals.
Manning even pleads for help to escape the Tuohys by calling his brother, Eli, and writing a concerning essay to his school teacher, portrayed by comedian Seth Meyers.
The satirical skit showcases a more twisted interpretation of the family’s behavior toward Oher, such as allegedly forcing him to live with them, controlling his life and monitoring his every move.
Some viewers of the resurfaced spoof have pointed out how astutely similar it is to what Oher himself has since confessed about his time with the Tuohy family.
The former Baltimore Ravens football player claimed Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy never officially adopted him but instead tricked him into signing away the legal authority to use his name in business deals after he turned 18, according to ESPN.
A 14-page petition filed in Shelby County, Tenn., probate court further claims the Tuohys used their conservatorship to make themselves and their birth children millions of dollars in royalties from the 2009 Warner Bros. movie starring Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw.
The Tuohy family denied allegations made against them, calling it “insulting.”
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.
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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“We didn’t make any money off the movie,” Sean Tuohy told the Daily Memphian. “Well, Michael Lewis, the [author of the book on which the movie was based] gave us half of his share. Everybody in the family got an equal share, including Michael. It was about $14,000, each.”
However, a resurfaced clip, posted on TikTok by People magazine reporter Abigail Adams, from Bravo reality TV show “Below Deck,” featured Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy describing how they negotiated with Steven Spielberg and Harvey Weinstein for the rights to their story and got script approval.
The braggadocious conversation rubbed many viewers the wrong way.
“As if the movie wasn’t a red flag already, this was an even bigger one, in my opinion, naturally,” Adams said.
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