Manti Te'o hoax (wth?!?)

**Haloti92** · 01-16-2013, 04:21 PM

If true (and it seems pretty thorough), this story may affect his draft status as much as the disappointing BCS Championship game did. Weird as hell.

http://deadspin.com/5976517/manti-te...ium=socialflow

**RavenScallywag** · 01-16-2013, 04:40 PM

Yeah, ND already put out a response...

https://www.facebook.com/NDFootball/...53537038009180

I have no idea what to think here...I don't buy Manti was "fooled". I think he played along with this Tuiasosopo character. His parents may have been fooled, or they may have found out and just ran with it to get their son's legacy built up.

I'd imagine he's going to PLUMMET on draft boards, if not disappear. After the Combine, maybe he'll show up in Round 2-3, but I can't see him going in Round 1.

As gifted as he is, right now, I don't want Ravens touching him. Screams character questions. If he was REALLY "fooled"...is it possible to get a 0 on the Wonderlic?

**Dade** · 01-16-2013, 08:48 PM

Something doesn't sit right with this. I'm not buying he was fooled. Ok in today's world it's entirely possible to have a relationship with someone online. But when she did "die", did he not want to go to the funeral. Did he not wonder why he was never invited or that the family didn't reach out to him?

In this CNN article the father claims she came to visit him in Hawaii multiple times.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/16/sport/...html?hpt=hp_t1

Like I said not all is right with this story. Seems there is more to this, that may come to light later.

**RavenScallywag** · 01-16-2013, 09:02 PM

Oh, i believe he was in on it...

For the funeral part, it was to be held during a game and he mentioned a conversation they had before she passed, where she told him when she went, she didn't want him to miss any games, since she knew it (football) meant so much to him.

As far as his parents, it mentions once visiting while Manti was home. It doesn't say they ever met her. They mentioned in another article they were looking forward to meeting her at ND's Senior Day, but she passed before that happened.

**NCRAVEN** · 01-16-2013, 09:08 PM

IN today's world of media urgency has replaced accuracy, just think about recent and tragic events and how much we learn later.

That said, I think it's entirely possible he was fooled just as much as he was in on it.

But I'll wait till the whole story comes out before I pass judgement. One thing for him, he should come as clean as possible as soon as possible. It's never the crime, it's the cover-up that makes it bad.

**Dade** · 01-16-2013, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

Oh, i believe he was in on it...

For the funeral part, it was to be held during a game and he mentioned a conversation they had before she passed, where she told him when she went, she didn't want him to miss any games, since she knew it (football) meant so much to him.

As far as his parents, it mentions once visiting while Manti was home. It doesn't say they ever met her. They mentioned in another article they were looking forward to meeting her at ND's Senior Day, but she passed before that happened.

I was at worked and skimmed the deadspin article. Now that I've read it proper...100% he was in on it. Damn shame.

**NCRAVEN** · 01-16-2013, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by Dade

I was at worked and skimmed the deadspin article. Now that I've read it proper...100% he was in on it. Damn shame.

Guilty before proven innocent?

He could have been in on it, but I want the WHOLE story first.

**batman55** · 01-16-2013, 08:46 PM

I'm pretty sure I recall interviews with him where he referenced his girlfriend.... And her passing.

**JAB1985** · 01-17-2013, 07:06 AM

The Manti Te'o story is just really really odd. I dont see how a team can just look past it. Either hes in on it and obviously shady and the purpose would be questionable at best or he wasnt and you almost have to question the guys intelligence to be duped by such a thing. At the very least is he mature/responsible enough to hand the pressure of being an NFL player on and off the field?

I think he was in on it personally, because he and his father have claimed to have met the girl multiple times in Hawaii. How do you meet somebody that doesnt exist and continue to believe they do? The fact that he would fake such a thing for national attention, or whatever the case, is definitely raising questions about his maturity and character. things that have dropped far better talents in the draft.

**bmorecareful** · 01-17-2013, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by JAB1985

The Manti Te'o story is just really really odd. I dont see how a team can just look past it. Either hes in on it and obviously shady and the purpose would be questionable at best or he wasnt and you almost have to question the guys intelligence to be duped by such a thing. At the very least is he mature/responsible enough to hand the pressure of being an NFL player on and off the field?

I think he was in on it personally, because he and his father have claimed to have met the girl multiple times in Hawaii. How do you meet somebody that doesnt exist and continue to believe they do? The fact that he would fake such a thing for national attention, or whatever the case, is definitely raising questions about his maturity and character. things that have dropped far better talents in the draft.

Well said. I agree with you 100%. At this point, I GUARANTEE you there are multiple teams who have taken him off their draft board. The thing I don't get is... does he really expect this thing to blow over? The teams are going to investigate this very thoroughly and nothing in his background is going to stay hidden. If he isn't telling 100% of the truth (and I think most people agree he isn't) it's going to get found out and hurt his draft stock even more.

At this point, like I said, he's going to be undraftable to some teams... others will drop him substantially... I think he's CERTAINLY out of the 1st round right now. Worst case scenario, he pulls a Burfict and slides out of the draft. Best case, he goes in the 2nd.

**wickedsolo** · 01-17-2013, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

Well said. I agree with you 100%. At this point, I GUARANTEE you there are multiple teams who have taken him off their draft board. The thing I don't get is... does he really expect this thing to blow over? The teams are going to investigate this very thoroughly and nothing in his background is going to stay hidden. If he isn't telling 100% of the truth (and I think most people agree he isn't) it's going to get found out and hurt his draft stock even more.

At this point, like I said, he's going to be undraftable to some teams... others will drop him substantially... I think he's CERTAINLY out of the 1st round right now. Worst case scenario, he pulls a Burfict and slides out of the draft. Best case, he goes in the 2nd.

Or, maybe she/they do exist and are trying to extort $$$ from Te'o?

**JAB1985** · 01-17-2013, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Or, maybe she/they do exist and are trying to extort $$$ from Te'o?

I guess this is possible but why not just say that instead of saying she didnt exist and you were duped?... its far less embarrassing and damaging to him to just say that if it is indeed what happened.

**NCRAVEN** · 01-17-2013, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by JAB1985

I guess this is possible but why not just say that instead of saying she didnt exist and you were duped?... its far less embarrassing and damaging to him to just say that if it is indeed what happened.

He could only come out and say that if he knew it. It may not have ever gotten to that point.

I have no idea really, just playing devil's advocate on that one.

**NCRAVEN** · 01-17-2013, 07:37 AM

I think everyone who is reading into this Te'o story is doing so from their point of view.

This is a different generation that this kid is part of where people have entire lives and relationships online, it is absolutely possible for someone who has grown up with the internet to feel they have a relationship with someone online. People of my generation and older look at that and say that's absurd.

I haven't heard any where that the Teo's dad says he met her (maybe he did though).

MY take is Manti had what he felt was a relationship with this girl, who he talked to on the phone and someone was faking the voice, when people would like us ask how do you have relationship with someone you haven't met, he would start saying they met to stop those questions.

Maybe I am completely wrong and giving him the benefit of the doubt, but I as of right now believe he was a victim of a hoax and highly doubt he slips out of the 1st. I'll wait to hear the rest of the story from him though.

BTW - every passing judgement, did you know Notre Dame had an investigation and their investigator found the person that sat on the other end of the phone talking to Te'o...

**Paintballguy** · 01-17-2013, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by NCRAVEN

I think everyone who is reading into this Te'o story is doing so from their point of view.

This is a different generation that this kid is part of where people have entire lives and relationships online, it is absolutely possible for someone who has grown up with the internet to feel they have a relationship with someone online. People of my generation and older look at that and say that's absurd.

I haven't heard any where that the Teo's dad says he met her (maybe he did though).

MY take is Manti had what he felt was a relationship with this girl, who he talked to on the phone and someone was faking the voice, when people would like us ask how do you have relationship with someone you haven't met, he would start saying they met to stop those questions.

Maybe I am completely wrong and giving him the benefit of the doubt, but I as of right now believe he was a victim of a hoax and highly doubt he slips out of the 1st. I'll wait to hear the rest of the story from him though.

BTW - every passing judgement, did you know Notre Dame had an investigation and their investigator found the person that sat on the other end of the phone talking to Te'o...

I'm reading the story from deadspin which laid out everything, so there is no point of view involved. It's pretty obvious that Te'o got caught in his lies. I'm sorry but I'm around the same age, and I'd never fall for any of this crap. Talking with someone online without meeting them does not equal a relationship. Also, you are telling me a star football player can't get laid by local girls, so he has to go online? Give me a break.

**NCRAVEN** · 01-17-2013, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by Paintballguy

I'm reading the story from deadspin which laid out everything, so there is no point of view involved. It's pretty obvious that Te'o got caught in his lies. I'm sorry but I'm around the same age, and I'd never fall for any of this crap. Talking with someone online without meeting them does not equal a relationship. Also, you are telling me a star football player can't get laid by local girls, so he has to go online? Give me a break.

So the deadspin story is the end all be all?

And because you can't fall for it, no one else can?

Te'o getting laid is entirely irrelevant.

**LukeDaniel** · 01-17-2013, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Paintballguy

I'm reading the story from deadspin which laid out everything, so there is no point of view involved. It's pretty obvious that Te'o got caught in his lies. I'm sorry but I'm around the same age, and I'd never fall for any of this crap. Talking with someone online without meeting them does not equal a relationship. Also, you are telling me a star football player can't get laid by local girls, so he has to go online? Give me a break.

Well, this post is showing your immaturity. Teo is a Mormon, so I doubt he was looking to get laid outside the bounds of marriage (yes, there are plenty of young men who still hold that principle dear to them). It's a shame you look at it from that perspective to begin with.

Secondly, how many Mormon's do you think are located in northern Indiana? This girl shared his Samoan heritage too, so that's another valid reason.

**JAB1985** · 01-17-2013, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by NCRAVEN

I think everyone who is reading into this Te'o story is doing so from their point of view.

This is a different generation that this kid is part of where people have entire lives and relationships online, it is absolutely possible for someone who has grown up with the internet to feel they have a relationship with someone online. People of my generation and older look at that and say that's absurd.

I haven't heard any where that the Teo's dad says he met her (maybe he did though).

MY take is Manti had what he felt was a relationship with this girl, who he talked to on the phone and someone was faking the voice, when people would like us ask how do you have relationship with someone you haven't met, he would start saying they met to stop those questions.

Maybe I am completely wrong and giving him the benefit of the doubt, but I as of right now believe he was a victim of a hoax and highly doubt he slips out of the 1st. I'll wait to hear the rest of the story from him though.

BTW - every passing judgement, did you know Notre Dame had an investigation and their investigator found the person that sat on the other end of the phone talking to Te'o...

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/co...icle-1.1241663

And how about Te’o’s father, Brian, who told the South Bend Tribune that the two met at a game at Stanford in 2009 and started out as just friends and “every once in a while, she would travel to Hawaii, and that happened to be the time Manti was home, so he would meet with her?

**LukeDaniel** · 01-17-2013, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by NCRAVEN

I think everyone who is reading into this Te'o story is doing so from their point of view.

This is a different generation that this kid is part of where people have entire lives and relationships online, it is absolutely possible for someone who has grown up with the internet to feel they have a relationship with someone online. People of my generation and older look at that and say that's absurd.

I haven't heard any where that the Teo's dad says he met her (maybe he did though).

MY take is Manti had what he felt was a relationship with this girl, who he talked to on the phone and someone was faking the voice, when people would like us ask how do you have relationship with someone you haven't met, he would start saying they met to stop those questions.

Maybe I am completely wrong and giving him the benefit of the doubt, but I as of right now believe he was a victim of a hoax and highly doubt he slips out of the 1st. I'll wait to hear the rest of the story from him though.

BTW - every passing judgement, did you know Notre Dame had an investigation and their investigator found the person that sat on the other end of the phone talking to Te'o...

This is really the only opinion that any rational, level-headed person can have right now. Perhaps more info will come out that puts Teo at fault, but until it does, shame on all of you people thinking he's guilty before innocent, even though all the evidence that exists right now points to him being naive, but not guilty of anything more than that.

**LukeDaniel** · 01-17-2013, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

Well said. I agree with you 100%. At this point, I GUARANTEE you there are multiple teams who have taken him off their draft board. The thing I don't get is... does he really expect this thing to blow over? The teams are going to investigate this very thoroughly and nothing in his background is going to stay hidden. If he isn't telling 100% of the truth (and I think most people agree he isn't) it's going to get found out and hurt his draft stock even more.

At this point, like I said, he's going to be undraftable to some teams... others will drop him substantially... I think he's CERTAINLY out of the 1st round right now. Worst case scenario, he pulls a Burfict and slides out of the draft. Best case, he goes in the 2nd.

Funny how you can guarantee something when you are not privy to any discussion in any NFL war room. If Teo drops out of the top 15, it won't be far, and it will be because of his poor game against Alabama. If anything, being the victim of this hoax shows that maybe he thinks too much with his heart, which is hardly a rare "flaw" among 21 year olds.