Punch Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) If true, it's very bizarre: http://deadspin.com/...eason-is-a-hoax Notre Dame's Manti Te'o, the stories said, played this season under a terrible burden. A Mormon linebacker who led his Catholic school's football program back to glory, Te'o was whipsawed between personal tragedies along the way. In the span of six hours in September, as Sports Illustrated told it, Te'o learned first of the death of his grandmother, Annette Santiago, and then of the death of his girlfriend, Lennay Kekua. Kekua, 22 years old, had been in a serious car accident in California, and then had been diagnosed with leukemia. SI's Pete Thamel described how Te'o would phone her in her hospital room and stay on the line with her as he slept through the night. "Her relatives told him that at her lowest points, as she fought to emerge from a coma, her breathing rate would increase at the sound of his voice," Thamel wrote. Upon receiving the news of the two deaths, Te'o went out and led the Fighting Irish to a 20-3 upset of Michigan State, racking up 12 tackles. It was heartbreaking and inspirational. Te'o would appear on ESPN's College GameDay to talk about the letters Kekua had written him during her illness. He would send a heartfelt letter to the parents of a sick child, discussing his experience with disease and grief. The South Bend Tribune wrote an article describing the young couple's fairytale meeting—she, a Stanford student; he, a Notre Dame star—after a football game outside Palo Alto. Did you enjoy the uplifiting story, the tale of a man who responded to adversity by becoming one of the top players of the game? If so, stop reading. Edited January 16, 2013 by Punch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QB Bills Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Deadspin just put this out...if he was in on it, which I can't see how he couldn't have been, do you still want this guy? http://deadspin.com/5976517/manti-teos-dead-girlfriend-the-most-heartbreaking-and-inspirational-story-of-the-college-football-season-is-a-hoax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansLanda Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Get ready to see what media attention really is like now, Manti. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r00tabaga Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Weird. Really weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAWNDO Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) Interesting read, I am going to wait until he makes a statement before passing judgement. If it is true, he can kiss the first few rounds of the draft goodbye. Edited January 16, 2013 by BRAWNDO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFunPolice Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Look on the plus side for a change: he obviously took English class seriously, and created an entire character and an entire life story surrounding her. That takes smarts and creativity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Just saw this and came here to post it. Crazy. We'll see how it all plays out, but what a weird story... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Poojer Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Oh my goodness... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcbillsfan Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 What a tool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Look on the plus side for a change: he obviously took English class seriously, and created an entire character and an entire life story surrounding her. That takes smarts and creativity! He created or the media created? If true, it will be really interesting to break down exacxtly what T'eo said vs what the media just ran with based on nothing but other media 'reports'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibs Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 He created or the media created? If true, it will be really interesting to break down exacxtly what T'eo said vs what the media just ran with based on nothing but other media 'reports'. ....and he never thought to correct them? If this is true it is a very bad reflection on him either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFunPolice Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 He created or the media created? If true, it will be really interesting to break down exacxtly what T'eo said vs what the media just ran with based on nothing but other media 'reports'. Silence is consent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 ....and he never thought to correct them? If this is true it is a very bad reflection on him either way. No question, I wouldn't argue otherwise. But I find it interesting that our society now appearly believes media has zero responsibility to understand or confirm what they are reporting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Poojer Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Plus he tweeted...that would be kind of incriminating.. ....and he never thought to correct them? If this is true it is a very bad reflection on him either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Adams Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 even best case, by him not saying a word to correct it - he helped create it. Beat me to it. BA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FluffHead Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 can we get him in the third rd now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heels20X6 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I've never witness such a media darling athlete fall from grace so quickly...it's like his life unraveled at the hands of Alabama... And as others mentioned...what a massive indictment on the state of media that not one person bothered to fact check this story. Not one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trader Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 completely off my board if this is true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Doug Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) No question, I wouldn't argue otherwise. But I find it interesting that our society now appearly believes media has zero responsibility to understand or confirm what they are reporting. This is true. The media has become out of control. They are absolutely reckless in their reporting and none of them are held responsible for their actions. Sure, there are some with an ounce of integrity still, but the "profession" as a whole has sank lower than lawyers (who at least will give you your day in court). Edited January 16, 2013 by kas23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 after my initial post i clicked over and that was a beast of an article that i dont have time to read it now - is it alleging that Teo faked the whole thing, or was this an online romance and he was duped somehow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibs Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 .....But I find it interesting that our society now appearly believes media has zero responsibility to understand or confirm what they are reporting. I find it sad and depressing . For a long time now the media seems more interested in selling a story rather than reporting the news. Ironically they are merely catering to their market IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) Wow - just Wow!!!!! Here is a guy who became a standout LB on his own accord and then participated in a scheme to gain national media attention for his dedication to a sick girlfriend. It has to be true...there is no SSA record of her death, the name is made up and never was a student at Stanford, fake pic, no car accident, etc. Here's what happened (IN MY OPINION): This Tuisosopo character became a Te'o follower and gained his trust. Went to him with a plan to increase his popularity and, eventually, his draft stock, by creating this highly athletic but dedicated persona. By creating the girlfriend Twitter account, they would reap the benefits of a big payoff in the end. Manti Te'o agreed with this plan and went along with the initial Tweet to him...when things got out of control and the national media learned of his "love for this girlfriend", Manti was at the point of no return and I would gather Tuisosopo was on the verge of blackmailing him for some cash if Te'o spilled the beans. Therefore, Te'o had no choice but to go along with it. I am officially off the bandwagon of Te'o until this girlfriend's grave stone is found in CA and until the family of this girl comes forward and says that Te'o was an inspiration to their departed daughter. Absent that...I have one thing to say to Manti Te'o: Luuuuucy...you got some 'splainin to do Edited January 16, 2013 by BringBackFergy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr1 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 How did such a mentally ill person get through 4 years of college classes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAWNDO Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) Someone will draft him, wrong or right the NFL selects talent over serious character flaws every time. Edited January 16, 2013 by BRAWNDO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Doug Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 How did such a mentally ill person get through 4 years of college classes? There's plenty of highly functional pathological liars out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I saw this earlier. Not a good month for him. It appears that he has been exposed as both a player and person. I do not like ND, but I hate to see something like this. It will be interesting to see how he responds to this. Apparently, he declined an invite to the senior bowl, but presumably will be at the combine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Well that rules him out. Nix only drafts character guys, regardless of talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heels20X6 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Someone will draft him, wrong or right the NFL selects talent over serious character flaws every time. IF TRUE - no NFL team is going to touch this guy with a 10 foot pole. Faking a girlfriend and then killing her off with cancer ranks right up there with serious attrocities of man. It speaks clearly to a person's character and the outrage this is going to cause for people isn't going to be worth the grief for a player that came off a horrendous BCS game. IF TRUE - this guy has made himself a street free agent and the future star of an ESPN 30 for 30 special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inkman Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 WTF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 IF TRUE - no NFL team is going to touch this guy with a 10 foot pole. Faking a girlfriend and then killing her off with cancer ranks right up there with serious attrocities of man. It speaks clearly to a person's character and the outrage this is going to cause for people isn't going to be worth the grief for a player that came off a horrendous BCS game. IF TRUE - this guy has made himself a street free agent and the future star of an ESPN 30 for 30 special. if true he fell from a mid first rounder to maybe a second rounder. if true his 40 at the combine will still hold more wait than this. a good pr firm will help him sneak through still even when he ends up tarnished by it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobobonators Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) No words. None. Wow. Wow. Wow. Maybe he can go on Oprah now too? Edited January 16, 2013 by bobobonators Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) anyone else frustrated that deadspin breaks more major news stories in sports than the major news people do? i mean, i know its not nice to question stuff like this but EVERYONE reported it, and no one thought to confirm any details? Edited January 16, 2013 by NoSaint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mango Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 the only way this becomes remotely ok is if he turns out to be gay, and this is a cover up for a boyfriend. coming from a mormon family, playing a sport that is vehemetly anti-gay. anything else is makes this guy a liar and a sociopath. if there is anybody on the coaching staff or in the AD that knows about this, there should be an NCAA sanction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heels20X6 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 if true he fell from a mid first rounder to maybe a second rounder. if true his 40 at the combine will still hold more wait than this. a good pr firm will help him sneak through still even when he ends up tarnished by it. We live in the nation of moral outrage. No PR firm in the world is going to be able to cover this stank up. He was already going to fall into the 2nd round based on his BCS performance...now, I can see teams just passing on him til the 4th or 5th. Remember, they do interview these players. He's moved into Burfect territory. Mental case that might make a good FA signing after the draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inkman Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Lance Armstrong & Manti Te'o on next seasons biggest loser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stl Bills Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Holy Crap! Reading that is crazy, seems like the evidence is pretty damning....what a D Bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QCity Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Whoa, whoa whoa, hold on a second here. He's Mormon??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meathead Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 the only way this becomes remotely ok is if he turns out to be gay, and this is a cover up for a boyfriend. coming from a mormon family, playing a sport that is vehemetly anti-gay. anything else is makes this guy a liar and a sociopath. if there is anybody on the coaching staff or in the AD that knows about this, there should be an NCAA sanction right away i was thinking hes probably gay with the wannabe qb buddy still wouldnt make it remotely ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gomper Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 ND just released statement that he is a victim of a hoax. WTF? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heels20X6 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 right away i was thinking hes probably gay with the wannabe qb buddy still wouldnt make it remotely ok I don't know...they could spin it as his struggle of being a gay athlete in the manliest of man sports and the ostracizing that would have happened had his teammates found out. This caused him to concoct the story of a girlfriend so that he could play football without people questioning why a star athlete at a major college has no arm candy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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