If this is true, Manti's got some splaining to do:
http://deadspin.com/5976517/manti-teos-dead-girlfriend-the-most-heartbreaking-and-inspirational-story-of-the-college-football-season-is-a-hoax
Typical Notre Dame arrogance!
This is incredible!
Wow, that's insane. Way to go, Deadspin!
Quote from: RJax55 on January 16, 2013, 03:51:49 PM
Wow, that's insane. Way to go, Deadspin!
Seriously, if they got their stuff right that's some outstanding journalism.
And a serious indictment on all the journalists who bought and published the story (I'm looking at you, Sports Illustrated).
It would be awesome if this was a "conspiracy" put together to prove that the modern media does no research into the stories that they're reporting as fact. I mean, how hard would it be to find funeral info or even a record for a student being enrolled at a university at a specific time?
I can't imagine that to be the case but it would be a good defense for Hawaiian Katzenmoyer to use.
Quote from: Pakuni on January 16, 2013, 03:54:53 PM
Seriously, if they got their stuff right that's some outstanding journalism.
And a serious indictment on all the journalists who bought and published the story (I'm looking at you, Sports Illustrated).
Yes, if I was Pete Thamel, I would be extremely concerned right now. I wonder what SI and ESPN's respond is to this, if they even have one.
Quote from: RJax55 on January 16, 2013, 04:02:07 PM
Yes, if I was Pete Thamel, I would be extremely concerned right now. I wonder what SI and ESPN's respond is to this, if they even have one.
Their defense is to not mention it for at least a day, especially since it came from Deadspin.
Somewhere Lance Armstrong is riding a bike fist pumping like a maniac.
Lazar couldn't find her, so he tipped off Deadspin.
Quote from: MUfan12 on January 16, 2013, 04:13:29 PM
Lazar couldn't find her, so he tipped off Deadspin.
My early favorite for 2013 Scoop Post of the Year.
Notre Dame just released a statement saying Te'o was the victim of a hoax.
"On Dec. 26, Notre Dame coaches were informed by Manti Te'o and his parents that Manti had been the victim of what appears to be a hoax in which someone using the fictitious name Lennay Kekua apparently ingratiated herself with Manti and then conspired with others to lead him to believe she had tragically died of leukemia. The University immediately initiated an investigation to assist Manti and his family in discovering the motive for and nature of this hoax. While the proper authorities will continue to investigate this troubling matter, this appears to be, at a minimum, a sad and very cruel deception to entertain its perpetrators."
Quote from: Pakuni on January 16, 2013, 04:18:18 PM
Notre Dame just released a statement saying Te'o was the victim of a hoax.
"On Dec. 26, Notre Dame coaches were informed by Manti Te'o and his parents that Manti had been the victim of what appears to be a hoax in which someone using the fictitious name Lennay Kekua apparently ingratiated herself with Manti and then conspired with others to lead him to believe she had tragically died of leukemia. The University immediately initiated an investigation to assist Manti and his family in discovering the motive for and nature of this hoax. While the proper authorities will continue to investigate this troubling matter, this appears to be, at a minimum, a sad and very cruel deception to entertain its perpetrators."
What the hell does this even mean? Didn't Te'o say he had a girlfriend and this chick was her?
Quote from: jesmu84 on January 16, 2013, 04:24:13 PM
What the hell does this even mean? Didn't Te'o say he had a girlfriend and this chick was her?
Sure doesn't seem to jibe with his story about meeting her after a game at Stanford.
Quote from: Pakuni on January 16, 2013, 04:18:18 PM
Notre Dame just released a statement saying Te'o was the victim of a hoax.
"On Dec. 26, Notre Dame coaches were informed by Manti Te'o and his parents that Manti had been the victim of what appears to be a hoax in which someone using the fictitious name Lennay Kekua apparently ingratiated herself with Manti and then conspired with others to lead him to believe she had tragically died of leukemia. The University immediately initiated an investigation to assist Manti and his family in discovering the motive for and nature of this hoax. While the proper authorities will continue to investigate this troubling matter, this appears to be, at a minimum, a sad and very cruel deception to entertain its perpetrators."
That's not going to fly. Multiple times he mentioned Lennay as his girlfriend (surely someone will ask how you can have a girl of eight months without once physically seeing her?) and the Tuisasopo connection seems pretty damning.
Hahahahahaha Notre Dame's statement is hilarious.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on January 16, 2013, 04:35:01 PM
Hahahahahaha Notre Dame's statement is hilarious.
And people say that MU is bad at PR.
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on January 16, 2013, 03:55:19 PM
It would be awesome if this was a "conspiracy" put together to prove that the modern media does no research into the stories that they're reporting as fact. I mean, how hard would it be to find funeral info or even a record for a student being enrolled at a university at a specific time?
I can't imagine that to be the case but it would be a good defense for Hawaiian Katzenmoyer to use.
The media? Do no research? Just report things as fact without questioning or actually sourcing them? I'm shocked at such an allegation. Shocked. /sarcasm.
Quote from: Pakuni on January 16, 2013, 04:31:15 PM
Sure doesn't seem to jibe with his story about meeting her after a game at Stanford.
Especially that whole statement from Brian Te'o that she had come to Hawaii with him.
Quote from: RJax55 on January 16, 2013, 04:37:09 PM
And people say that MU is bad at PR.
At least MU would have waited until 5 p.m. Friday.
Seriously, though, what's ND's alternative here? I have no doubt Te'o came to them with this story, probably when he realized people were sniffing around his claims. Heck, it might even be true (though I very much doubt that).
Best case scenario for Te'o at this point is that he got totally punk'd by someone and that he then significantly embellished details (i.e., made up, fabricated, lied) about the "relationship" because he thought it was a little creepy to have this kind of a "relationship" with someone he hadn't met. That's the best case scenario...and it's not particularly good (unless, of course, you don't mind people thinking you're an idiot and a liar). It also seems pretty unlikely.
I think there's blood in the water. This is going to get ugly.
New big head for the Notre Dame game: Teo's fake girlfriend
Quote from: TallTitan34 on January 16, 2013, 04:54:44 PM
New big head for the Notre Dame game: Teo's fake girlfriend
Or the dude he was romanticizing with.
Quote from: Pakuni on January 16, 2013, 04:46:28 PM
Seriously, though, what's ND's alternative here? I have no doubt Te'o came to them with this story, probably when he realized people were sniffing around his claims. Heck, it might even be true (though I very much doubt that).
Two options... One, don't issue a statement. Or, issue a statement that the girlfriend story was a hoax and ND is investigating the story further. That's it.
Claiming that Te'o was a victim was extremely dumb. Especially, with the evidence that cast serious doubt that Te'o was an innocent bystander.
I really don't get why he would decide that the best way to cover up being gay was by staging a massively public fake girlfriend/fake girlfriend's slow agonizing and untimely death. Frankly, there is no possible explanation I can think of that doesn't make Teo look like a historically big idiot.
At least Tebow gets pictures of himself with his beards.
Quote from: LancesOtherNut on January 16, 2013, 04:59:14 PM
At least Tebow gets pictures of himself with his beards.
Bycracky.
AJ McCarron won on the field and on the girlfriend front for sure. Couldn't say that before this came out, too insensitive.
Quote from: RJax55 on January 16, 2013, 04:57:32 PM
Two options... One, don't issue a statement. Or, issue a statement that the girlfriend story was a hoax and ND is investigating the story further. That's it.
Claiming that Te'o was a victim was extremely dumb. Especially, with the evidence that cast serious doubt that Te'o was an innocent bystander.
1. Don't think silence was an option.
2. If you read the statement carefully, you'll note that the university never claims Te'o was the victim of a hoax. It states that he approached the coaching staff telling them he was a victim. It also states "this appears to be, at a minimum, a sad and very cruel deception to entertain its perpetrators" which in no way exonerates Te'o from being one of the perpetrators.
I'm happy to beat up ND, but really think this may have been the best they could do. They can't throw their golden boy under the bus (at least not yet) and they can't ignore it either.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/ap/ap/indiana/story-of-teo-girlfriend-death-apparently-a-hoax/nTydD/
Now ND issues a statement. Was a hoax against Te'o. UH??????
Quote from: lawwarrior12 on January 16, 2013, 04:57:39 PM
I really don't get why he would decide that the best way to cover up being gay was by staging a massively public fake girlfriend/fake girlfriend's slow agonizing and untimely death.
Is that why he did this? Because he's gay?
If so, I could see this somehow working out in his favor, as crazy as that sounds. I mean, he would be the first extremely well-known gay team sport athlete.
Quote from: RJax55 on January 16, 2013, 04:57:32 PM
Two options... One, don't issue a statement. Or, issue a statement that the girlfriend story was a hoax and ND is investigating the story further. That's it.
Claiming that Te'o was a victim was extremely dumb. Especially, with the evidence that cast serious doubt that Te'o was an innocent bystander.
Good points.
The other issue this brings up is that ND claims they knew about this alleged deception for three weeks. Why not get out in front of the story? Releasing that statement within an hour of Deadspin's story makes it seem like they had it ready in case someone actually reported on it whilst hoping to high hell they'd never have to release it.
Quote from: RJax55 on January 16, 2013, 05:08:27 PM
Is that why he did this? Because he's gay?
If so, I could see this somehow working out in his favor, as crazy as that sounds. I mean, he would be the first extremely well-known gay team sport athlete.
Honestly, if he is gay, coming out would be the only way to save his reputation because it would cast a pretty negative light on the role of homophobia in sport. It would be a massive story and a huge perceptual swing. Part of me feels dirty for thinking of a man's personal life in PR terms like that, but then again, I feel dirty reading this entire story and watching the clips which now seem diabolical.
Quote from: Pakuni on January 16, 2013, 05:05:32 PM
1. Don't think silence was an option.
2. If you read the statement carefully, you'll note that the university never claims Te'o was the victim of a hoax. It states that he approached the coaching staff telling them he was a victim. It also states "this appears to be, at a minimum, a sad and very cruel deception to entertain its perpetrators" which in no way exonerates Te'o from being one of the perpetrators.
I'm happy to beat up ND, but really think this may have been the best they could do. They can't throw their golden boy under the bus (at least not yet) and they can't ignore it either.
You're right... Should have read the statement a little closer. Still, I think silence might be the best option here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIl5RxhLZ5U (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIl5RxhLZ5U)
You can't be silent. It looks like you are hiding something. Notre Dame's statement is clever because it puts the onus on Te'o.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8851033/story-manti-teo-girlfriend-death-apparently-hoax
Latest ESPN story with statement from Te'o.
One other thing. Te'o is lying. He wasn't the victim of a fraud. He only came clean when reporters started sniffing around. And now he's going to claim he's the victim?
He's one sick dude.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on January 16, 2013, 04:54:44 PM
New big head for the Notre Dame game: Teo's fake girlfriend
+100000 Please students make it happen
Gene W. on ESPN just stated that before his interview with Te'o (dealing, in part, with the GF), ESPN asked if they could contact the GF's family or if they could have pictures of the GF. Manti said "no." Gene was "skeptical" from that point forward...
Quote from: jesmu84 on January 16, 2013, 05:26:32 PM
Gene W. on ESPN just stated that before his interview with Te'o (dealing, in part, with the GF), ESPN asked if they could contact the GF's family or if they could have pictures of the GF. Manti said "no." Gene was "skeptical" from that point forward...
Gene W. also sort of implied that it was a story made up for sympathy votes for the Heisman. Gene W. interviewed him on October 2, so Te'o had this story going on in the main media for a good three months.
Imagine if Johnny Football didn't have such a great second half season, this guy might have won the Heisman.
Quote from: jesmu84 on January 16, 2013, 05:26:32 PM
Gene W. on ESPN just stated that before his interview with Te'o (dealing, in part, with the GF), ESPN asked if they could contact the GF's family or if they could have pictures of the GF. Manti said "no." Gene was "skeptical" from that point forward...
...so let's go post the story!
This is best thing ever.
Wouldn't be surprised if Teo was gay but this is gonna get interesting.
This from a poster who has a brother on the team....
"My brother Chris (badger) is good friend's with Manti.. He said Manti would talk with "her" for hours at night. My brother said he even spoke with her a couple times..
So there appears to have been a real girl at the other end of the telephone/twitter FWIW obviously faking all this...."
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 16, 2013, 05:21:17 PM
One other thing. Te'o is lying. He wasn't the victim of a fraud. He only came clean when reporters started sniffing around. And now he's going to claim he's the victim?
He's one sick dude.
This can't be. NDers are perfect in every way. Just ask them.
Life achievement level: Costanza
This is insane. Not sure what's worse, Te'o propagating this or ND's statement.
Come on guys, show some respect. A girl who never existed is dead.
Have to hand to ND for keeping this under wrap until after the big game was over. If it was Marquette it would have broke right before Marquette was playing a big game in the NCAA tournament.
Guys, ND had to make a statement. And they factually said what they know...that Te'o claimed to be victim of fraud. They did exactly what they should have done.
Not sure that Swarbrick speaking at a presser in 20 mins does anyone any good.
Quote from: MUDish on January 16, 2013, 06:38:40 PM
Not sure that Swarbrick speaking at a presser in 20 mins does anyone any good.
Ooo.
Now *that* I agree with.
Hope Teo falls to the Pack. Replace Hawk or that other loser next to him.
Quote from: Stone Cold on January 16, 2013, 06:40:51 PM
Hope Teo falls to the Pack. Replace Hawk or that other loser next to him.
Why would you want to replace Hawk with someone even slower?
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 16, 2013, 06:36:34 PM
Guys, ND had to make a statement. And they factually said what they know...that Te'o claimed to be victim of fraud. They did exactly what they should have done.
+1.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 16, 2013, 06:41:51 PM
Why would you want to replace Hawk with someone even slower?
that's not possible. Hawk is like a frail midget out there.
Reading that statement, its wonderfully written. Through and through, it implies that they stand behind Te'o, but they leave themselves the out of filtering all of their information through his eyes as well. Ironically, if the statement is guilty of anything, its that ND purports by its own admission to do no better than any media outlet (sans Deadspin) has done throughout this entire story.
This presser is still happening.
Quote from: reinko on January 16, 2013, 07:52:40 PM
This presser is still happening.
Vague statement .... good idea.
Endless press conference .... terrible idea.
Never seen anyone take questions over the phone at a press conference.
Quote from: Stone Cold on January 16, 2013, 06:54:59 PM
that's not possible. Hawk is like a frail midget out there.
You clearly don't watch College Football.
Te'o will be the bust of this draft if he is taken in the 1st round.
Can't believe that presser happened. Swarbrick put himself out there, hope that detective agency was thorough or he's toast.
Have to believe someone made some cash off this.
Quote from: MUDish on January 16, 2013, 08:24:43 PM
Can't believe that presser happened. Swarbrick put himself out there, hope that detective agency was thorough or he's toast.
Have to believe someone made some cash off this.
Definitely full support from ND for Te'o.
Refusing to release any information from their investigative report adds fuel to the fire that this doesn't smell right.
Quote from: Hards_Alumni on January 16, 2013, 08:08:23 PM
You clearly don't watch College Football.
Te'o will be the bust of this draft if he is taken in the 1st round.
Clearly. (in my best WASP voice) (http://www.straighterline.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/snooty.jpg)
Disagree, I think he'll thrive, especially now that he'll drop to a better team. He'll definitely be better than Hawk in his prime.
Quote from: The Golden Avalanche on January 16, 2013, 08:36:52 PM
Definitely full support from ND for Te'o.
Refusing to release any information from their investigative report adds fuel to the fire that this doesn't smell right.
I don't think they're going to stick their necks out for the kid if he was behind some Heisman publicity master plan.
Too much to lose and the kid doesn't even play for em anymore.
You're nuts. Hawk was a fantastic college linebacker. Te'o was completely overrated. Not a chance in hell I want him in Green Bay.
Quote from: Pakuni on January 16, 2013, 03:54:53 PM
Seriously, if they got their stuff right that's some outstanding journalism.
And a serious indictment on all the journalists who bought and published the story (I'm looking at you, Sports Illustrated).
So that's why CNN switched their sports coverage to Bleacher Report.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 16, 2013, 09:09:54 PM
You're nuts. Hawk was a fantastic college linebacker. Te'o was completely overrated. Not a chance in hell I want him in Green Bay.
:D. We'll have to see who wins the prophet trophy, next year at this time. Although I'll forget this conversation even happened by lunch tomorrow.
Quote from: Stone Cold on January 16, 2013, 09:09:19 PM
I don't think they're going to stick their necks out for the kid if he was behind some Heisman publicity master plan.
Too much to lose and the kid doesn't even play for em anymore.
Swarbrick stuck his neck out tonight. Now it may just be a matter if Tuisasopo breaks.
Were the independent investigators that ND hired in this case the same ones who said that coaches standing outside had no way of knowing that it was windy prior to the video tower collapsing?
Reagan Mauia...WTF? This is becoming real life Inception.
Quote from: MUDish on January 16, 2013, 10:18:33 PM
Reagan Mauia...WTF? This is becoming real life Inception.
Makes the story all the more awesome. Personally, I like the Te'o interview after the MSU game where he mentions the love and support he's received from his girlfriend's family...
If its all some random chick he met online supposedly, then what about the story he told of them meeting at a football game in California. Even if he was deceived somehow, Te'o lied about plenty in this whole story and deserves to get filleted for it.
For the poster who said there was no mention of the gf in the media, go back to the Deadspin article and look at the video clips shown. It was a huge storyline around that MSU game.
That presser was a dumpster fire. Referencing "Catfish" the MTV show? Good grief.
Dead girlfriend just sent out a tweet. This is getting weirder by the second.
(http://3432-boston.voxcdn.com/files/2013/01/ND_angle-NAVY_Green-480x480.jpg)
Quote from: JWags85 on January 16, 2013, 10:27:49 PM
That presser was a dumpster fire. Referencing "Catfish" the MTV show? Good grief.
+1. Again, people complain about MU's PR... This effort was a thousand times worse.
Also, I hope ND and Te'o realize that the sports media is going to find out every possible detail of the story. If you're not telling the truth or if something is being covered up, it will be found.
Beyond the implications for Te'o and ND, the second huge part of this is how bad the media was played. SI, ESPN, and alike look like fools. Deadspin embarrassed them.
Quote from: Groin_pull on January 16, 2013, 06:07:38 PM
This can't be. NDers are perfect in every way. Just ask them.
Only people that perpetuate that claim are non NDers
Quote from: pbiflyer on January 16, 2013, 10:38:51 PM
(http://3432-boston.voxcdn.com/files/2013/01/ND_angle-NAVY_Green-480x480.jpg)
THAT IS AWESOME!!!
Nice summary here:
http://outkickthecoverage.com/manti-teos-fake-dead-girlfriend-breaks-the-internet.php
Buy that t-shirt here:
http://boston.barstoolsports.com/random-thoughts/play-like-you-had-a-fake-dead-girlfriend-shirts-now-on-sale/
Read the twitter feed of @justinrmegahan of the past 18 hours, more sleuthing
SB Trib is in big time denial. Too funny.
http://www.southbendtribune.com/sbt-legacy-just-one-aspect-at-risk-20130116,0,4330042.column
Quote from: RJax55 on January 16, 2013, 10:42:39 PM
+1. Again, people complain about MU's PR... This effort was a thousand times worse.
Also, I hope ND and Te'o realize that the sports media is going to find out every possible detail of the story. If you're not telling the truth or if something is being covered up, it will be found.
Beyond the implications for Te'o and ND, the second huge part of this is how bad the media was played. SI, ESPN, and alike look like fools. Deadspin embarrassed them.
This is one of the most interesting things about the story to me. I suspect that ND
does realize this and yet they still went "all in" behind Te'o. Now that the story is out, it honestly should not be terribly difficult to determine whether or not Te'o was involved. Either ND is amazingly stupid in this, or they are 100% convinced based upon the results of the investigation that they commissioned that Te'o wasn't involved.
Swarbrick deferred questions about the inaccuracies in the story to Te'o. I suspect that the official story is going to be that when Swarbrick and Te'o talked, Te'o admitted that he lied and embellished the story about the relationship. Swarbrick knows Te'o lied and is leaving that for Te'o to explain. But, they're going to insist that he was duped and there should be plenty of electronic fingerprints that will either confirm or disprove that.
Whether the press conference was a PR debacle will be revealed in the future. It Te'o was involved, then the presser was a huge mistake and ND will, at best, have egg on its face (at worst will appear complicit). But, if the inevitable investigations prove that Te'o was not involved, I think the presser was a a good idea because it had the desired effect: people who initially were convinced that Te'o had to be involved are noticing that ND is convinced that he is not and are taking more of a wait and see approach.
The press is going to work really hard to keep the focus on what a strange and bizarre story this is in the hopes of deflecting attention from the fact that they really blew it on this story.
Quote from: RJax55 on January 16, 2013, 10:42:39 PM
+1. Again, people complain about MU's PR... This effort was a thousand times worse.
Also, I hope ND and Te'o realize that the sports media is going to find out every possible detail of the story. If you're not telling the truth or if something is being covered up, it will be found.
Beyond the implications for Te'o and ND, the second huge part of this is how bad the media was played. SI, ESPN, and alike look like fools. Deadspin embarrassed them.
The Big Lead is siting two sources that say ESPN knew about the story 11 days ago(2 before the NC game) and didn't publish because "they couldn't confirm". Once the initial shock of the story and focus on Te'o I wonder how quickly the attention will turn to the media outlets complicity in this whether intentional or not.
ESPN had every reason to squash the story before the NC game, which adds yet more evidence that they are not any better than TMZ and not an actual news organization. Even if I buy 2 days wasn't enough time to vet the death of the girlfriend, you can't do it in 10 days??? Strikes me as lacking in integrity that ESPN will apologize less than 24 hours after Brent Musberger points out that a hot girl is hot, but drags it's feet about an explosive story that involves it's own television coverage.
Quote from: mu03eng on January 17, 2013, 07:25:58 AM
Even if I buy 2 days wasn't enough time to vet the death of the girlfriend, you can't do it in 10 days???
I heard the Deadspin writer on the radio last night. He said that they got an anonymous email last Friday and that started the ball rolling. So Deadspin managed to publish a fairly detailed story in five days after being tipped off. He mentioned that their big "break" was discovering the identity of the girl in the pictures, but I didn't hear how they found that information. So, conceivably if you didn't get that break, it might have been a lot harder to put the story together. But with ESPN's resources, I can't imagine why they couldn't have moved with a story
at least as fast as Deadspin.
Quote from: StillAWarrior on January 17, 2013, 07:47:52 AM
I heard the Deadspin writer on the radio last night. He said that they got an anonymous email last Friday and that started the ball rolling. So Deadspin managed to publish a fairly detailed story in five days after being tipped off. He mentioned that their big "break" was discovering the identity of the girl in the pictures, but I didn't hear how they found that information. So, conceivably if you didn't get that break, it might have been a lot harder to put the story together. But with ESPN's resources, I can't imagine why they couldn't have moved with a story at least as fast as Deadspin.
Are you surprised at this? Deadspin is more of a news organization than ESPN is....and that's pretty sad.
Quote from: mu03eng on January 17, 2013, 07:25:58 AM
The Big Lead is siting two sources that say ESPN knew about the story 11 days ago(2 before the NC game) and didn't publish because "they couldn't confirm". Once the initial shock of the story and focus on Te'o I wonder how quickly the attention will turn to the media outlets complicity in this whether intentional or not.
ESPN had every reason to squash the story before the NC game, which adds yet more evidence that they are not any better than TMZ and not an actual news organization. Even if I buy 2 days wasn't enough time to vet the death of the girlfriend, you can't do it in 10 days??? Strikes me as lacking in integrity that ESPN will apologize less than 24 hours after Brent Musberger points out that a hot girl is hot, but drags it's feet about an explosive story that involves it's own television coverage.
ESPN ceased being a journalistic entity long ago. Instead of reporting and questioning, ESPN is much more interested in creating or managing a story. The fact that the most power sports media company has basically ceded investigative reporting to Yahoo! and Deadspin, tells you all you need to know about the company ethos. And, I don't expect ESPN to provide a follow-up on how they covered the story. They are much more interested in finding a new race baiter to appear on First Take and trying to sell America on the merits of Skip Bayless.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 07:51:42 AM
Are you surprised at this? Deadspin is more of a news organization than ESPN is....and that's pretty sad.
Not at all...just providing some context for mu03eng's post. We all "know" that ESPN could have put the story together in 10 days, but the fact that Deadspin actually did is pretty conclusive proof.
Quote from: RJax55 on January 17, 2013, 07:54:01 AM
ESPN ceased being a journalistic entity long ago. Instead of reporting and questioning, ESPN is much more interested in creating or managing a story. The fact that the most power sports media company has basically ceded investigative reporting to Yahoo! and Deadspin, tells you all you need to know about the company ethos. And, I don't expect ESPN to provide a follow-up on how they covered the story. They are much more interested in finding a new race baiter to appear on First Take and trying to sell America on the merits of Skip Bayless.
Agreed, and I think with the proliferation of sports networks that will start to take content away from ESPN they are looking shaky in the next 5-10 years. For the last 15 years they've been pretty much the only game in town if you aren't the NFL for content delivery. The general consensus is their news content sucks, so once they start losing games to other networks, why would people go to ESPN?
Quote from: RJax55 on January 17, 2013, 07:54:01 AM
ESPN ceased being a journalistic entity long ago. Instead of reporting and questioning, ESPN is much more interested in creating or managing a story. The fact that the most power sports media company has basically ceded investigative reporting to Yahoo! and Deadspin, tells you all you need to know about the company ethos. And, I don't expect ESPN to provide a follow-up on how they covered the story. They are much more interested in finding a new race baiter to appear on First Take and trying to sell America on the merits of Skip Bayless.
Glad to see some love for Yahoo! out there. I've been reading comments saying that Deadspin is the last bastion of real sports journalism, but Yahoo! has done some great work recently. In my opinion, they're probably the best.
Deadspin has it's instances of Media-Lemming Syndrome, but they at least have taken on the role of criticizing the media more than not. A good example is the weekly destruction of the utterly without a single redeeming quality TMQ article.
Quote from: StillAWarrior on January 17, 2013, 07:58:51 AM
Not at all...just providing some context for mu03eng's post. We all "know" that ESPN could have put the story together in 10 days, but the fact that Deadspin actually did is pretty conclusive proof.
Plus this is the second time ESPN has sat on a story, Bernie Fine being the other. At some point this is all going to start impacting TWWL.
In a more broad context, I hope but am not counting on, this whole thing being a wake up call to media in general to slow down a step, vet stories and general report info not conjecture and fluffy. I'm thinking it won't happen because there is no one to hold their feet to the fire and twitter and the public will have moved on within the next 12 hours.
So we know Te'o is a liar....either he lied earlier about meeting the girlfriend in person. Or he is now lying about him being deceived. Either way, why is Swarbrick doing a press conference???
Quote from: mu03eng on January 17, 2013, 08:03:18 AM
In a more broad context, I hope but am not counting on, this whole thing being a wake up call to media in general to slow down a step, vet stories and general report info not conjecture and fluffy. I'm thinking it won't happen because there is no one to hold their feet to the fire and twitter and the public will have moved on within the next 12 hours.
No chance. All you gotta do is say "sources tell us..." and you're covered! (at least that's what passes for journalism these days).
They should take a page from the anti-doping folks and strip everyone's pulitzer who has won one since twitter was invented.
Quote from: mu03eng on January 17, 2013, 08:03:18 AM
Plus this is the second time ESPN has sat on a story, Bernie Fine being the other. At some point this is all going to start impacting TWWL.
In a more broad context, I hope but am not counting on, this whole thing being a wake up call to media in general to slow down a step, vet stories and general report info not conjecture and fluffy. I'm thinking it won't happen because there is no one to hold their feet to the fire and twitter and the public will have moved on within the next 12 hours.
They report conjecture and fluffy because the public eats it up.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 08:03:48 AM
So we know Te'o is a liar....either he lied earlier about meeting the girlfriend in person. Or he is now lying about him being deceived. Either way, why is Swarbrick doing a press conference???
According to Pat Forde(Yahoo), an ND source said Swarbrick's whole goal was to put all the inconsistencies on Te'o. I think it was clear he was trying to do that, but I agree it ultimately was a terrible idea, especially answering questions. At the end of the day, ND came out and said we knew something was up December 26th and had a "complete" answer 3 days before the NC game but did nothing about it. Also opens up all sorts of angles for people to resurrect the Declin Sullivan and Lizze Seeburg fiascos.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 08:11:37 AM
They report conjecture and fluffy because the public eats it up.
I know and it's just depressing
Quote from: lawwarrior12 on January 17, 2013, 08:09:03 AM
No chance. All you gotta do is say "sources tell us..." and you're covered! (at least that's what passes for journalism these days).
On a related note, that is what I find so remarkable about the ND press conference. It would have been very easy for Swarbrick to say, "Our
initial investigation
suggests that Manti Te'o
may have been a victim of an elaborate hoax..." I would have expected lots of wiggle words.
I am truly stunned that ND was so unequivocal in its support of Te'o. There are only two options here: 1) ND is 100% convinced that Te'o was duped, or 2) ND is complicit in covering this up. Given how easy it will be to find the truth, my money is on option No. 1. That doesn't mean they're right, but I have little doubt that ND genuinely believes it.
Quote from: mu03eng on January 17, 2013, 08:14:40 AM
According to Pat Forde(Yahoo), an ND source said Swarbrick's whole goal was to put all the inconsistencies on Te'o.
The press release did that...there was no need to actually appear in front of a camera.
Quote from: mu03eng on January 17, 2013, 08:14:40 AM
According to Pat Forde(Yahoo), an ND source said Swarbrick's whole goal was to put all the inconsistencies on Te'o. I think it was clear he was trying to do that, but I agree it ultimately was a terrible idea, especially answering questions.
I agree.
Quote from: StillAWarrior on January 17, 2013, 08:15:52 AM
On a related note, that is what I find so remarkable about the ND press conference. It would have been very easy for Swarbrick to say, "Our initial investigation suggests that Manti Te'o may have been a victim of an elaborate hoax..." I would have expected lots of wiggle words.
I am truly stunned that ND was so unequivocal in its support of Te'o. There are only two options here: 1) ND is 100% convinced that Te'o was duped, or 2) ND is complicit in covering this up. Given how easy it will be to find the truth, my money is on option No. 1. That doesn't mean they're right, but I have little doubt that ND genuinely believes it.
I would agree with 1 more if ND didn't sit on it. I mean sweet jebus they could have gotten out in front of this 2 days after the game and spun a whole Te'o is a victim, was rattled by this and hence the poor play of the team and may have gotten a ton of sympthay from fans. Instead they are a step behind and look like they are playing catch up. And again Deadspin had 6 days to pull this story together and did so pretty thoroughly it seems. ND had a 2 week jump on them and still gets caught with their pants down. This says a lot about Swarbrick.
Quote from: mu03eng on January 17, 2013, 08:03:18 AM
Plus this is the second time ESPN has sat on a story, Bernie Fine being the other. At some point this is all going to start impacting TWWL.
In a more broad context, I hope but am not counting on, this whole thing being a wake up call to media in general to slow down a step, vet stories and general report info not conjecture and fluffy. I'm thinking it won't happen because there is no one to hold their feet to the fire and twitter and the public will have moved on within the next 12 hours.
I believe ESPN also sat on a story about Ben Roethlisberger, possibly the rape charge? I don't recall the exact details.
The problem for legit media sources like ESPN, SI, etc is that they need actual proof and two sources to go with a story. Blogs and Tweeters can print anything. Sultan could contact Deadspin and tell them that he had a torrid love affair with Manti Te'o this past season, provide a few details and it could be online within an hour. It wouldn't be so easy if he contacted ESPN with that false story. News travels faster than ever and there are infinitely more "sources" out there and an overwhelming majority have no one to answer to. Have you ever heard people rip Deadspin to shreds when they post an inaccurate story? I haven't.
Don't get me wrong, I think that ESPN has completely lost its way and made itself a punchline but I also think that they're not competing on a level playing field with bloggers who have nothing to lose. That doesn't mean blogs can't provide legitimate news. It just means that they have much more margin for error.
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on January 17, 2013, 08:22:04 AM
I believe ESPN also sat on a story about Ben Roethlisberger, possibly the rape charge? I don't recall the exact details.
The problem for legit media sources like ESPN, SI, etc is that they need actual proof and two sources to go with a story. Blogs and Tweeters can print anything. Sultan could contact Deadspin and tell them that he had a torrid love affair with Manti Te'o this past season, provide a few details and it could be online within an hour. It wouldn't be so easy if he contacted ESPN with that false story. News travels faster than ever and there are infinitely more "sources" out there and an overwhelming majority have no one to answer to. Have you ever heard people rip Deadspin to shreds when they post an inaccurate story? I haven't.
Don't get me wrong, I think that ESPN has completely lost its way and made itself a punchline but I also think that they're not competing on a level playing field with bloggers who have nothing to lose.
Listen, I'd agree with you if the Deadspin article was a shoddy, random sourced product, but that article was pretty heavily sourced and researched. Plus ESPN publish random info as fact in things like coaching openings and player signings, etc. Again they had 10 days and with all their resources couldn't come up two sources to confirm it? They have more resources than any other organization, it's a matter of desire.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 08:16:23 AM
The press release did that...there was no need to actually appear in front of a camera.
Agreed. And Swarbruck isn't exactly an inherently likable master of the press conference.
Quote from: mu03eng on January 17, 2013, 08:28:12 AM
Listen, I'd agree with you if the Deadspin article was a shoddy, random sourced product, but that article was pretty heavily sourced and researched. Plus ESPN publish random info as fact in things like coaching openings and player signings, etc. Again they had 10 days and with all their resources couldn't come up two sources to confirm it? They have more resources than any other organization, it's a matter of desire.
I should clarify. I'm talking more big picture and not necessarily about this story in particular. Both ESPN and ND made a big mistake by sitting on the story for too long.
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on January 17, 2013, 08:22:04 AM
.
The problem for legit media sources like ESPN, SI, etc is that they need actual proof and two sources to go with a story.
You mean like the story of the dead girlfriend? I'd be interested to know how many spots ESPN and others ran on the whole thing during ND's season. Certainly not a lot of work or fact checking went into putting them together.
Lance Armstrong's master plan worked. He "confessed" on Oprah and then orchestrated this entire story to come out at the same time. He will now be traveling to an island with Ta'o fake GF in hand for some well earned R&R.
On a side note he plans on suing anyone who claims that this is not true or who claims that the story was "enhanced" in anyway.
Whole new meaning to sex on the Internet thing, aina?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on January 17, 2013, 09:00:51 AM
Whole new meaning to sex on the Internet thing, aina?
I know you meant it as a joke, but that is one of the biggest issues I have with Te'o's story. He dated a girl for 9 months that he never tried to skype or anything? I can see the in 9 months they never were physically in the same room, especially in the run up to and during football season, but there is no way anyone doesn't use skype in this day in age to talk to someone let alone try the things 4ever probably does with a horse, tennis racket and a bucket of ice.
Talking to one of the guys in the office (he's 36) he said: "It's totally normal for guys who grew up their entire lives with facebook and twitter to develop digital relationships... they've never known any different." I'm 26, has life really changed so much for people only 4 years younger than me that this is feasible?
No skype? No scraped together plane ticket to Cali for a weekend? For a visit to the hospital? It's just baffling.
Back in late 90's I had like 15 GF's on AOL IM.
Quote from: lawwarrior12 on January 17, 2013, 09:17:44 AM
Talking to one of the guys in the office (he's 36) he said: "It's totally normal for guys who grew up their entire lives with facebook and twitter to develop digital relationships... they've never known any different." I'm 26, has life really changed so much for people only 4 years younger than me that this is feasible?
No skype? No scraped together plane ticket to Cali for a weekend? For a visit to the hospital? It's just baffling.
He's right. Think of Swarbrick's comments yesterday about how Te'o said he "met" this girl and, by that, he meant, met her online. It's similar to how a lot of 16 year olds don't get their driver's license because they don't go over to their friends' houses to hang out or just get together drive around (we were cool), they go online to hang out with their friends, many of whom they don't actually know in person.
That said, I can't imagine having strong feelings for a person without ever meeting her nor can I imagine a person I did have strong feelings for getting into a terrible accident and/or dying of leukemia and never going to see her.
I feel really weird saying this, but: man, kids these days...
Quote from: lawwarrior12 on January 17, 2013, 09:17:44 AM
Talking to one of the guys in the office (he's 36) he said: "It's totally normal for guys who grew up their entire lives with facebook and twitter to develop digital relationships... they've never known any different." I'm 26, has life really changed so much for people only 4 years younger than me that this is feasible?
No skype? No scraped together plane ticket to Cali for a weekend? For a visit to the hospital? It's just baffling.
I'm with you on this one. I don't think it's normal and think it's even weirder when it's a famous athlete with a million adoring fans. Te'o wasn't some nerd living in his parents basement, he was the most popular athlete at a major university and resorting to an online relationship is just flat out bizarre.
While there are details that still need to come out, Te'o created this girl. He might not have created the scheme or created the whole hoax, but he created "Lennay" from his string of lies and ridiculous exagerations. And then the fact he continued these weird lies and stories after he knew it was all BS, is almost just as weird as concocting the whole plan.
Quote from: LAZER on January 17, 2013, 09:37:42 AM
While there are details that still need to come out, Te'o created this girl. He might not have created the scheme or created the whole hoax, but he created "Lennay" from his string of lies and ridiculous exagerations. And then the fact he continued these weird lies and stories after he knew it was all BS, is almost just as weird as concocting the whole plan.
This is the point I've been making. Say this Tuiasasopo kid really did play him into thinking this Lennay chick was real through tweets, phone calls, etc... Te'o flat out lied about meeting her in California, played along with his dad saying she came to Hawaii with him, manufactured key details of her story which made her appear very real and significant to the media. To say he was an innocent victim is complete BS.
on Mike & Mike this morning while I was driving in, Golic danced around what might be the only somewhat plausible explanation:
Teo got scammed, when the reveal came and he found out he got scammed he thought it was best to try to cover it up than come clean, and so he went along with it hoping it would go away.
Is he an idiot? Definitely. Is it still unfathomable that a D1 football player would resort to an online girlfriend in the first place? Absolutely.
Quote from: lawwarrior12 on January 17, 2013, 09:17:44 AM
Talking to one of the guys in the office (he's 36) he said: "It's totally normal for guys who grew up their entire lives with facebook and twitter to develop digital relationships... they've never known any different." I'm 26, has life really changed so much for people only 4 years younger than me that this is feasible?
No skype? No scraped together plane ticket to Cali for a weekend? For a visit to the hospital? It's just baffling.
I'm 45 years old.
20 years ago, I was pretty active in the early days of USENET in their rudimentary discussion forums on college basketball. I have about two dozen Facebook friends from those forums whom I have never met. Hey, most of the people here I have never actually met. (I was informed by someone that I once threw a beer at Chicos.)
So I can see how this *might* occur...but I am doubtful.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 09:47:44 AM
I'm 45 years old.
20 years ago, I was pretty active in the early days of USENET in their rudimentary discussion forums on college basketball. I have about two dozen Facebook friends from those forums whom I have never met. Hey, most of the people here I have never actually met. (I was informed by someone that I once threw a beer at Chicos.)
So I can see how this *might* occur...but I am doubtful.
I completely get the forming of a relationship online having never met. But I don't get the lack of video chat and I certainly don't get a high profile football player going for this sort of thing. Maybe we should be applauding it because clearly he was chaste and getting to know someone for who they are not what they look like or just to get them in bed. I just don't believe that a 22 year old football acts that way.
Plus he is on record saying he met her. So to Sultan's early point, Te'o is lying, its just a question of what is he lying about and why.
Quote from: mu03eng on January 17, 2013, 09:58:26 AM
Plus he is on record saying he met her. So to Sultan's early point, Te'o is lying, its just a question of what is he lying about and why.
I'm warming up to the idea that he got scammed and tried to lie his way out of it. He realized how goofy it was to have never met the "love of his life" so he said he met her a few times rather than get questioned about it. (should have been a bit of a tipoff really)
Quote from: lawwarrior12 on January 17, 2013, 10:01:56 AM
I'm warming up to the idea that he got scammed and tried to lie his way out of it. He realized how goofy it was to have never met the "love of his life" so he said he met her a few times rather than get questioned about it. (should have been a bit of a tipoff really)
I suppose it could be true, but that would have to be after she "died". Teammates have already said that they were in the room with him when he got the death call and was completely beside himself with grief. So either he didn't find out until after that point or he played his teammates, which only further damages his draft stock.
Quote from: pbiflyer on January 16, 2013, 10:38:51 PM
(http://3432-boston.voxcdn.com/files/2013/01/ND_angle-NAVY_Green-480x480.jpg)
I believe we may have found the shirt for the student section to wear for the ND game. The lettering is even closer to MU gold than ND gold.
Quote from: lawwarrior12 on January 17, 2013, 10:01:56 AM
I'm warming up to the idea that he got scammed and tried to lie his way out of it. He realized how goofy it was to have never met the "love of his life" so he said he met her a few times rather than get questioned about it. (should have been a bit of a tipoff really)
I'm warming up to the idea that he got scammed but realized that the totally on-line/phone relationship was a little creepy so he made up a little back story to make the relationship seem a little more normal. People's reaction here (and elsewhere) to the thought of a football star being involved in a chaste, totally on-line/phone relationship does suggest that it is viewed as a very odd relationship (and I don't disagree).
My first reaction (as posted on the first page of this thread) was that the thought of Te'o being a victim of a scam was "pretty unlikely" (and that he'd still have to be an idiot and a liar). However, the completely unequivocal support by ND makes me think that they're completely convinced that was scammed. And Swarbrick's deflection of the questions about the inconsistencies make me think that he's expecting Te'o to own up to the lies that he told during the process.
Quote from: StillAWarrior on January 17, 2013, 10:20:40 AM
I'm warming up to the idea that he got scammed but realized that the totally on-line/phone relationship was a little creepy so he made up a little back story to make the relationship seem a little more normal. People's reaction here (and elsewhere) to the thought of a football star being involved in a chaste, totally on-line/phone relationship does suggest that it is viewed as a very odd relationship (and I don't disagree).
My first reaction (as posted on the first page of this thread) was that the thought of Te'o being a victim of a scam was "pretty unlikely" (and that he'd still have to be an idiot and a liar). However, the completely unequivocal support by ND makes me think that they're completely convinced that was scammed. And Swarbrick's deflection of the questions about the inconsistencies make me think that he's expecting Te'o to own up to the lies that he told during the process.
But even if you think of the best case scenario, the lies he told are still pretty bad and reflect poorly on his character and viability as a leader on a team. This is why I don't get why ND went to bat for him. Once they knew it was a scam, should have revealed it and let the chips fall where they may on Te'o.
Quote from: mu03eng on January 17, 2013, 10:31:22 AM
But even if you think of the best case scenario, the lies he told are still pretty bad and reflect poorly on his character and viability as a leader on a team. This is why I don't get why ND went to bat for him. Once they knew it was a scam, should have revealed it and let the chips fall where they may on Te'o.
I agree with you...no way Te'o comes out of this looking very good.
I'm not sure whey ND went to bat for him either. I can understand why they might have been willing to sit on things and let Te'o break the story, but I'm not sure why the press conference. I do think that the press conference has helped Te'o (it makes me more inclined to believe that he was duped), but I'm not sure why ND would put itself out there like that. It wasn't necessary and if it turns out that Te'o was in on it, it's going to make ND look pretty bad.
Quote from: StillAWarrior on January 17, 2013, 08:00:50 AM
Glad to see some love for Yahoo! out there. I've been reading comments saying that Deadspin is the last bastion of real sports journalism, but Yahoo! has done some great work recently. In my opinion, they're probably the best.
Completely agree. IMO, Yahoo! Sports is currently the best for sports journalism. In particular, Charles Robinson has done outstanding work and is the best investigative sports reporter out there.
ESPN has the resources to do this work, but obliviously there's no interest.You would think an ESPN entity like Bill Simmons' Grantland would be the perfect place to host such an endeavor. Instead, you get fluff.
This is my favorite news story in years. Right up there with Michael McGee's North Side extortion racket.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 09:47:44 AM
I'm 45 years old.
20 years ago, I was pretty active in the early days of USENET in their rudimentary discussion forums on college basketball. I have about two dozen Facebook friends from those forums whom I have never met. Hey, most of the people here I have never actually met. (I was informed by someone that I once threw a beer at Chicos.)
So I can see how this *might* occur...but I am doubtful.
Wait, what precipitates a man throwing his beer at another man?
Quote from: The Golden Avalanche on January 17, 2013, 10:58:26 AM
Wait, what precipitates a man throwing his beer at another man?
Are you not familiar with Chicos?
but still, a beer is a terrible thing to waste.
Quote from: MUDish on January 16, 2013, 06:38:40 PM
Not sure that Swarbrick speaking at a presser in 20 mins does anyone any good.
I did appreciate his tears during that presser.:'( Nice touch. Of course, I'd get emotional to if I knew Manti T'eo would never be able to trust again.
This is one of the many, many interesting parts of the story. A tweet by Manti Te'o, talking about his fake girlfriend's fake sister, U'ilana Rae:
mteo_5 [Manti Teo]
Shout out to Ms.@uilanarae she's new to twitter and needs some followers! One of the realist people I know.
...one of the realist people he knows? Cryptic. Creepy. Crazy.
Quote from: MarsupialMadness on January 17, 2013, 11:49:37 AM
This is one of the many, many interesting parts of the story. A tweet by Manti Te'o, talking about his fake girlfriend's fake sister, U'ilana Rae:
mteo_5 [Manti Teo]
Shout out to Ms.@uilanarae she's new to twitter and needs some followers! One of the realist people I know.
...one of the realist people he knows? Cryptic. Creepy. Crazy.
Ironic
More from Deadspin...ouch.
http://jezebel.com/5976718/notre-dame-says-manti-teo-is-a-victim-thats-rich-considering-their-history-of-ignoring-actual-victims
Quote from: StillAWarrior on January 17, 2013, 10:41:41 AM
I agree with you...no way Te'o comes out of this looking very good.
I'm not sure whey ND went to bat for him either. I can understand why they might have been willing to sit on things and let Te'o break the story, but I'm not sure why the press conference. I do think that the press conference has helped Te'o (it makes me more inclined to believe that he was duped), but I'm not sure why ND would put itself out there like that. It wasn't necessary and if it turns out that Te'o was in on it, it's going to make ND look pretty bad.
I don't know... we all thought ND was going to look bad after the videocamera incident, sexual assualts, suicide, Tommy Rees' inaugural 1/2k police run, etc., but they seem to come out pretty unscathed every time.
Maybe Ronaiah saw the tendency that ND has to write checks when things need to go away and somehow concocted a plan to capitalize. Whether Te'o was involved or not is no concern of ND's at this point... they're just happy they don't have to dip into the hush fund again.
Quote from: Benny B on January 17, 2013, 12:13:34 PM
I don't know... we all thought ND was going to look bad after the videocamera incident, sexual assualts, suicide, Tommy Rees' inaugural 1/2k police run, etc., but they seem to come out pretty unscathed every time.
Maybe Ronaiah saw the tendency that ND has to write checks when things need to go away and somehow concocted a plan to capitalize. Whether Te'o was involved or not is no concern of ND's at this point... they're just happy they don't have to dip into the hush fund again.
But that's the point, why would ND go to bat for them because it opens all those other things up to ridicule, see the link above. Other than the fact that Te'o played for ND, they had no issue in this story until they inserted themselves in it by becoming the Te'o police then sat on the story. Until December 27th then ND started working with Te'o on this they had no issues, now they've created a bunch of issues for themselves and tied the Te'o anchor around their neck.
So Swarbruck broke into tears over Teo, but not for the real deaths of Sullivan or Seeberg?
Quote from: TallTitan34 on January 17, 2013, 12:38:20 PM
So Swarbruck broke into tears over Teo, but not for the real deaths of Sullivan or Seeberg?
Well... presumably Swarbuck didn't know Sullivan or Seeberg so would be less likely to shed tears for a stranger than he would for a person he knows well.
Quote from: lawwarrior12 on January 17, 2013, 12:40:54 PM
Well... presumably Swarbuck didn't know Sullivan or Seeberg so would be less likely to shed tears for a stranger than he would for a person he knows well.
He knew Lennay Kekeu well? :D
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on January 16, 2013, 11:16:12 PM
Only people that perpetuate that claim are non NDers
Sorry, not true. The NDers I've personally encountered are some of the most arrogant, insufferable, self-righteous d-bags walking the planet.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on January 17, 2013, 12:38:20 PM
So Swarbruck broke into tears over Teo, but not for the real deaths of Sullivan or Seeberg?
Hence ND even opening there mouth is confusing. The only saving grace is the MSM doesn't want to dig or point too hard because then they would also expose their incompetence. I mean good lord Gene W from ESPN is running around telling anyone who would listen that he was suspicious in October but didn't say anything. Really, we're going with the 6 year old defense?? I told Jimmy not to do it!!
Quote from: The Golden Avalanche on January 17, 2013, 10:58:26 AM
Wait, what precipitates a man throwing his beer at another man?
Well, here's the deal. This story wasn't told to me until about six months ago. I had no idea who Chicos was, so when an MU friend of mine was talking about Scoop, and Chicos name came up, he said "don't you remember him? He was driving you nuts and you through your beer at him." I remember the incident and thought it was at one of those Greentree all you can drink for $3 disasters, but he claimed it was at an Evan Scholars party.
So either way, the marginal cost of the next beer was $0.
So I apologize to Chicos for throwing a beer at him.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 12:12:24 PM
More from Deadspin...ouch.
http://jezebel.com/5976718/notre-dame-says-manti-teo-is-a-victim-thats-rich-considering-their-history-of-ignoring-actual-victims
I understand not using the word "victim" in cases where you don't believe that a person really was a victim. However, what gets me is that ND launched an immediate investigation into Te'o's claims but it took over 2 WEEKS to begin investigating an alleged rape and then after the accuser killed herself, it took 5 more days to actually interview the accused.
Quote from: mu03eng on January 17, 2013, 12:58:51 PM
I mean good lord Gene W from ESPN is running around telling anyone who would listen that he was suspicious in October but didn't say anything.
Yeah, Gene is looking like a real fool. I don't understand his comments. If he felt things were suspicious, why didn't he follow-up on the story? As the Deadspin article proved, a quick check into Lennay would have confirmed that something was amiss.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 01:11:59 PM
Well, here's the deal. This story wasn't told to me until about six months ago. I had no idea who Chicos was, so when an MU friend of mine was talking about Scoop, and Chicos name came up, he said "don't you remember him? He was driving you nuts and you through your beer at him." I remember the incident and thought it was at one of those Greentree all you can drink for $3 disasters, but he claimed it was at an Evan Scholars party.
So either way, the marginal cost of the next beer was $0.
So I apologize to Chicos for throwing a beer at him.
1. I was probably there as well..the Greentree was a second home for me...
2. You probably threw your beer, and it went right over his head...It's easy to aim too high with JD
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 01:11:59 PM
Well, here's the deal. This story wasn't told to me until about six months ago. I had no idea who Chicos was, so when an MU friend of mine was talking about Scoop, and Chicos name came up, he said "don't you remember him? He was driving you nuts and you through your beer at him." I remember the incident and thought it was at one of those Greentree all you can drink for $3 disasters, but he claimed it was at an Evan Scholars party.
So either way, the marginal cost of the next beer was $0.
So I apologize to Chicos for throwing a beer at him.
Sure you're not imagining this?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on January 17, 2013, 01:44:44 PM
Sure you're not imagining this?
I could be. I am just passing along what I was told.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8852980/is-manti-teo-liar-victim-college-football
Gene W. response.
The longer Teo goes without speaking, the worse this is going to get for him. Think about it, if this was a legit, elaborate hoax, and you have the biggest (and very public) job interviews of your life coming up, wouldn't you be wayyyyy out in front of this and making sure everyone knew this was a hoax, you're a victim, blah blah blah? Silence is not his friend right now.
And think about what has happened on Swarbrick's watch while at ND, I mean my god. 2 horrible deaths of students related (in some fashion) to the football program, and now this. I realize it's his job to protect "the brand", but this is unreal to me.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 02:28:09 PM
I could be. I am just passing along what I was told.
No problem. Now waitin' for the Tiger and Elin remarriage fit to hit the sham.
Quote from: MUDish on January 17, 2013, 02:58:02 PM
The longer Teo goes without speaking, the worse this is going to get for him. Think about it, if this was a legit, elaborate hoax, and you have the biggest (and very public) job interviews of your life coming up, wouldn't you be wayyyyy out in front of this and making sure everyone knew this was a hoax, you're a victim, blah blah blah? Silence is not his friend right now.
And think about what has happened on Swarbrick's watch while at ND, I mean my god. 2 horrible deaths of students related (in some fashion) to the football program, and now this. I realize it's his job to protect "the brand", but this is unreal to me.
I was thinking the same thing. The longer it takes for Te'o to speak up publicly, the worse he looks. If this truly was a complete and total sham that blindsided him in early December, he'd have been on camera as soon as the Deadspin story was posted so that he could tell his side of things. Waiting makes it seem like ND and his handlers are working on a spin.
Both of those deaths went away so in the minds of a lot of ND alums, Swarbrick did a great job.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 01:11:59 PM
Well, here's the deal. This story wasn't told to me until about six months ago. I had no idea who Chicos was, so when an MU friend of mine was talking about Scoop, and Chicos name came up, he said "don't you remember him? He was driving you nuts and you through your beer at him." I remember the incident and thought it was at one of those Greentree all you can drink for $3 disasters, but he claimed it was at an Evan Scholars party.
So either way, the marginal cost of the next beer was $0.
So I apologize to Chicos for throwing a beer at him.
Haha.....stories are always better when a friend recounts the details of what I've done.
I thought maybe this happened recently. Would be ironic if pestered enough to toss a beer at someone and then find out its the same guy who pesters you on Scoop. Actually, I'm sure that has happened for some twosome here, knowingly or not.
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on January 17, 2013, 03:12:19 PM
I was thinking the same thing. The longer it takes for Te'o to speak up publicly, the worse he looks. If this truly was a complete and total sham that blindsided him in early December, he'd have been on camera as soon as the Deadspin story was posted so that he could tell his side of things. Waiting makes it seem like ND and his handlers are working on a spin.
Both of those deaths went away so in the minds of a lot of ND alums, Swarbrick did a great job.
The problem is, I think they are working on a spin. The facts (and lies, for that matter) are still being uncovered. Te'o issued a statement already... I don't expect him to start answering public questions until they've sorted everything out. Unless Te'o is 100% oblivious to the situation and he really was the butt of an elaborate hoax, anything he says now will most likely backfire on him.
Clearly ND officials never thought word of the hoax would get out. This is from an article on ESPN.com.
The revelation of the hoax has been far-reaching, a Notre Dame graduate who launched a campaign to raise money for a cancer research group in memory of Te'o's girlfriend says he is "shell-shocked" to learn the woman didn't exist.
Dan Tudesco, a 2006 graduate who now works in public relations in New York, set up an online account at fundraising website indiegogo.com on Jan. 9 to solicit $5,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Inc. The initial pitch said donations would go to the society in memory of Lennay Kekua and in honor of Te'o, "two individuals who have been an inspiration to us through an iconic season."
Tudesco said he and three friends got the fundraising idea after a seeing a video that went viral of Te'o holding his head in dismay during the Irish's 42-14 loss to Alabama in the national championship game on Jan. 7.
The goal was to turn the loss -- and the player's sudden popularity -- into something positive.
"I think we were all kind of disappointed in the result of the game ... and the Manti story was very inspirational," Tudesco told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Notre Dame took notice of Tudesco's tweets about the fund drive and sent a university videographer to shoot an interview with him. The video was posted on the Notre Dame athletics YouTube channel Tuesday.
Tudesco said he didn't believe Notre Dame was aware of the hoax when it promoted his fundraiser.
"It would surprise me that Notre Dame would want to promote this if they knew something like this was going on," Tudesco said.
However, Notre Dame officials said Wednesday that they became aware of the hoax on Dec. 26, nearly two weeks before the championship game. University spokesman Dennis Brown didn't immediately respond to a request seeking comment Thursday.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 09:47:44 AM
I'm 45 years old.
20 years ago, I was pretty active in the early days of USENET in their rudimentary discussion forums on college basketball. I have about two dozen Facebook friends from those forums whom I have never met. Hey, most of the people here I have never actually met. (I was informed by someone that I once threw a beer at Chicos.)
So I can see how this *might* occur...but I am doubtful.
I've never had a beer thrown at me in my life. No one would dare waste a beer on something that insignificant. LOL. Seriously, never had a beer thrown at me
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 17, 2013, 01:11:59 PM
Well, here's the deal. This story wasn't told to me until about six months ago. I had no idea who Chicos was, so when an MU friend of mine was talking about Scoop, and Chicos name came up, he said "don't you remember him? He was driving you nuts and you through your beer at him." I remember the incident and thought it was at one of those Greentree all you can drink for $3 disasters, but he claimed it was at an Evan Scholars party.
So either way, the marginal cost of the next beer was $0.
So I apologize to Chicos for throwing a beer at him.
Your friend has an active imagination, or at the very least the wrong person in mind. Not sure what else to say...especially since I never once attended an Evan Scholars party and didn't frequent the Greentree except as a Freshman. ?-(
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on January 17, 2013, 04:04:42 PM
I've never had a beer thrown at me in my life.
That is patently UNTRUE!!! I know this because I personally threw a beer at you during a Scoop disagreement 1 year, 7 months, and 5 days ago. It was an IPA, which I generally don't like (not a bitter beer fan) so I didn't consider it a waste, but as I live in Milwaukee and you live in California, it is possible my throw came up short.
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on January 17, 2013, 03:56:11 PM
Clearly ND officials never thought word of the hoax would get out. This is from an article on ESPN.com.
The revelation of the hoax has been far-reaching, a Notre Dame graduate who launched a campaign to raise money for a cancer research group in memory of Te'o's girlfriend says he is "shell-shocked" to learn the woman didn't exist.
Dan Tudesco, a 2006 graduate who now works in public relations in New York, set up an online account at fundraising website indiegogo.com on Jan. 9 to solicit $5,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Inc. The initial pitch said donations would go to the society in memory of Lennay Kekua and in honor of Te'o, "two individuals who have been an inspiration to us through an iconic season."
Tudesco said he and three friends got the fundraising idea after a seeing a video that went viral of Te'o holding his head in dismay during the Irish's 42-14 loss to Alabama in the national championship game on Jan. 7.
The goal was to turn the loss -- and the player's sudden popularity -- into something positive.
"I think we were all kind of disappointed in the result of the game ... and the Manti story was very inspirational," Tudesco told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Notre Dame took notice of Tudesco's tweets about the fund drive and sent a university videographer to shoot an interview with him. The video was posted on the Notre Dame athletics YouTube channel Tuesday.
Tudesco said he didn't believe Notre Dame was aware of the hoax when it promoted his fundraiser.
"It would surprise me that Notre Dame would want to promote this if they knew something like this was going on," Tudesco said.
However, Notre Dame officials said Wednesday that they became aware of the hoax on Dec. 26, nearly two weeks before the championship game. University spokesman Dennis Brown didn't immediately respond to a request seeking comment Thursday.
And this, as well as the ESPN spin is why nobody believes anything that is coming out right now and why this will last for weeks. It's such a convoluted, interwoven story that it doesn't untangle easy and there will always be doubters. And again if your an ND alum what are you thinking of Swarbrick, how does he not immediately extract ND from activities around Te'o and ESPECIALLY fundraising employing a fake dead person.
Until December 26th ND had no role in this....they have now flopped head first into the Te'o mess and are sinking quick. BY CHOICE!
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on January 17, 2013, 04:07:42 PM
Your friend has an active imagination, or at the very least the wrong person in mind. Not sure what else to say...especially since I never once attended an Evan Scholars party and didn't frequent the Greentree except as a Freshman. ?-(
Well, then he was wrong. Maybe I'm just mixing up things...I mean it was 25 years ago.
This Tuiasosopo guy is going to talk sooner or later.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/17/manti-teo-catfish-video_n_2498345.html
Te'o twice lied about his girlfriend after he supposedly found out it was a hoax.
http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2013/january/manti-te-o-talked-about-his-girlfriend-passing-away-at-the-heisman-trophy-presentation.html
So there are only two real explanations for this...
1. He was in on it from the beginning.
2. He simply didn't know what to do after finding out the truth besides perpetuate the hoax and hope it all goes away.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 18, 2013, 08:38:45 AM
Te'o twice lied about his girlfriend after he supposedly found out it was a hoax.
http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2013/january/manti-te-o-talked-about-his-girlfriend-passing-away-at-the-heisman-trophy-presentation.html
So there are only two real explanations for this...
1. He was in on it from the beginning.
2. He simply didn't know what to do after finding out the truth besides perpetuate the hoax and hope it all goes away.
I'd guess it was #2. I actually think that he believed Lennay to be a real person and she was a girl who he'd occasionally talk to online. Once she got sick and died, she somehow became his girlfriend (with some help from the media) and then he got caught up in the attention and turned her into the love of his life. Once he found out it was a hoax, he was embarrassed and not really sure what to do so he just kept going with it.
From what I've heard, Te'o really is a good person but he's also very impressed with himself and somewhat immature.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 18, 2013, 08:38:45 AM
Te'o twice lied about his girlfriend after he supposedly found out it was a hoax.
http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2013/january/manti-te-o-talked-about-his-girlfriend-passing-away-at-the-heisman-trophy-presentation.html
So there are only two real explanations for this...
1. He was in on it from the beginning.
2. He simply didn't know what to do after finding out the truth besides perpetuate the hoax and hope it all goes away.
I agree, and I also think it's #2, but there's also evidence that he kept this whole charade going after he knew of the "hoax". There's something wrong about him mentioning her at the Heisman presentation if he already knew that she never existed.
Hypothetically, let's assume Manti is gay. Obviously, being a star for an elite football program makes it a bit more difficult to keep a secret... so at some point, questions were probably being asked and minor suspicions were starting to surface, so Manti did what any public figure would do: he - with the help of a friend - created a distraction. I'm not insinuating that Manti and Ronaiah are anything more than friends, but the two concocted a plan (Lannay) to squelch any talk of Manti's homosexuality; however, things got a little out of control with the added attention from the Heisman and BCS run... so Manti and Ronaiah did what anybody perpetuating an out-of-control hoax would do - they killed off their subject.
But the attention didn't go away, questions were asked, and eventually, someone got to the real girl in the picture. Caught in a web, Manti probably let his family and Swarbrick in on the secret by now, and they've simply been doing their part to protect him. Sure, it's a scam, but there's no malicious intent here... just a young, Mormon kid who wants to keep his secret.
-End hypothetical.
If this is all just an elaborate hoax to keep his personal life private, it's more an indictment of society than it is of Manti. However, if Manti is straight and he is on this... I'd like to think his NFL career will end before it begins.
Quote from: Benny B on January 18, 2013, 10:16:04 AM
If this is all just an elaborate hoax to keep his personal life private, it's more an indictment of society than it is of Manti. However, if Manti is straight and he is on this... I'd like to think his NFL career will end before it begins.
Agree with the first part of what you said... but the guy is a player on the field. He'll be on a team somewhere in the NFL. If teams take risks on guys that murder people (seriously, murder) then they can find a way around this.
I realize that there's no explanation that doesn't involve Te'o looking like a moron, but really the method, in this hypothetical, he went with to stay in the closet was: hide being in the closet by creating a fictional girlfriend and playing up her tragic demise in front of a voracious national media in an age in which any and everything can be digitally checked out?
Quote from: MarsupialMadness on January 18, 2013, 10:19:44 AM
Agree with the first part of what you said... but the guy is a player on the field. He'll be on a team somewhere in the NFL. If teams take risks on guys that murder people (seriously, murder) then they can find a way around this.
Exactly, guys like Ray Lewis, Leonard Little, Donte Stallworth, and countless others didn't get blacklisted form the NFL.
Quote from: LancesOtherNut on January 18, 2013, 10:32:11 AM
Exactly, guys like Ray Lewis, Leonard Little, Donte Stallworth, and countless others didn't get blacklisted form the NFL.
Te'o will be grilled by the NFL and that will determine his future.
He could end up like Vontaze Burfict, but I don't think it will be that bad.
Quote from: LancesOtherNut on January 18, 2013, 10:32:11 AM
Exactly, guys like Ray Lewis, Leonard Little, Donte Stallworth, and countless others didn't get blacklisted form the NFL.
Not to mention Michael Vick. For whatever crazy reason, people who hurt animals are worse than murderers and rapists in the court of public opinion.
Now if Manti made up a story about his puppy dying, he might have a reason to worry about his career......
Quote from: warriorchick on January 18, 2013, 10:37:35 AM
Not to mention Michael Vick. For whatever crazy reason, people who hurt animals are worse than murderers and rapists in the court of public opinion.
Now if Manti made up a story about his puppy dying, he might have a reason to worry about his career......
I will never understand that either, and honestly, it tells you a lot about little we value human life.
Quote from: LancesOtherNut on January 18, 2013, 10:32:11 AM
Exactly, guys like Ray Lewis, Leonard Little, Donte Stallworth, and countless others didn't get blacklisted form the NFL.
Ray Lewis's "farewell tour" has included everything from sideline embraces from the commissioner to nonstop fawning by the media. Disgusting.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on January 18, 2013, 10:45:08 AM
Ray Lewis's "farewell tour" has included everything from sideline embraces from the commissioner to nonstop fawning by the media. Disgusting.
+1. A complete joke.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 18, 2013, 08:38:45 AM
Te'o twice lied about his girlfriend after he supposedly found out it was a hoax.
http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2013/january/manti-te-o-talked-about-his-girlfriend-passing-away-at-the-heisman-trophy-presentation.html
So there are only two real explanations for this...
1. He was in on it from the beginning.
2. He simply didn't know what to do after finding out the truth besides perpetuate the hoax and hope it all goes away.
I've leaned towards #1 since Wednesday due to the Tuisasopo connection, which I think has been downplayed by all these writers who are covering their asses over the last two days. Not to mention that the longer Te'o goes without speaking on the matter makes it seem more and more that CAA is crafting an evasive narrative.
How haven't they found Ronaiah? No one can find him walking to his church? No one can find a friend to talk about his character? No one can have USC confirm or deny Tuisasopo was on-field guest of Te'o in November? And why was Te'o extending an invite to Hawai'i for Tuisasopo if they weren't at least strong acquaintances?
If anyone thinks he was duped, sorry, but I think you're being suckered. Come on...he didn't know when she graduated, what her major was, or how she died? And he gave three different stories of how they met. Add in his dad lying about her visiting him and it's pretty clear Te'o and his family were in on it.
Lennay Kekua was his beard either to hide a gay lifestyle or to cover up him slitting around Notre Dame while keeping his "good Mormon boy" image. And he would've got away with it too, if not for Deadspin!
If you think he was a victim then I really think you're just as big a sucker as Te'o wants you to believe he is. This guy is the biggest sports slimeball since Lance Armstrong...okay, I realize that was only a day before, but Te'o is scum and reveling in it.
Quote from: brewcity77 on January 18, 2013, 11:08:21 AM
This guy is the biggest sports slimeball since Lance Johnson...
THAT BASTARD!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Johnson
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 18, 2013, 11:11:35 AM
THAT BASTARD!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Johnson
LOL! Edited, thanks ;)
Here is the question I have:
This girl was allegedly either a Stanford graduate or a Stanford student (depending on which version of the story you were listening to).
If you were the editor of the Stanford Daily this fall and heard this story, wouldn't you want to do an article on her? Maybe interview some of her friends and professors? How long would it have taken someone at Stanford to figure out that she never was a student there?
You've got to know that in student apartments all over Palo Alto, future unemployed English Majors are kicking themselves for failing to break one of the biggest stories of the year.
I agree Warriorchick, you would think someone at Stanford would have looked into this, considering it was such a widely reported story.
But maybe it was something that was looked into briefly, they didn't find her name in any search, and they gave up at that point.
Quote from: MarsupialMadness on January 18, 2013, 12:14:18 PM
I agree Warriorchick, you would think someone at Stanford would have looked into this, considering it was such a widely reported story.
But maybe it was something that was looked into briefly, they didn't find her name in any search, and they gave up at that point.
And such explains why those particular English majors are unemployed today.
Are we sure he lied? Maybe, but I don't know.
This new item casts some doubt, potentially.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8857057/friend-says-ronaiah-tuiasosopo-confessed-manti-teo-girlfriend-hoax
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on January 18, 2013, 12:37:22 PM
Are we sure he lied? Maybe, but I don't know.
This new item casts some doubt, potentially.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8857057/friend-says-ronaiah-tuiasosopo-confessed-manti-teo-girlfriend-hoax
Not sure he lied, but this does cast some doubt - the most doubt I'vr had since the Hoopaloop mystery
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on January 18, 2013, 12:37:22 PM
Are we sure he lied? Maybe, but I don't know.
This new item casts some doubt, potentially.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8857057/friend-says-ronaiah-tuiasosopo-confessed-manti-teo-girlfriend-hoax
FALL GUY!
Quote from: brewcity77 on January 18, 2013, 11:08:21 AM
If anyone thinks he was duped, sorry, but I think you're being suckered. Come on...he didn't know when she graduated, what her major was, or how she died? And he gave three different stories of how they met. Add in his dad lying about her visiting him and it's pretty clear Te'o and his family were in on it.
Lennay Kekua was his beard either to hide a gay lifestyle or to cover up him slitting around Notre Dame while keeping his "good Mormon boy" image. And he would've got away with it too, if not for Deadspin!
If you think he was a victim then I really think you're just as big a sucker as Te'o wants you to believe he is. This guy is the biggest sports slimeball since Lance Armstrong...okay, I realize that was only a day before, but Te'o is scum and reveling in it.
I really do think he was duped. I just don't think this girl became his girlfriend and the love of his life until it started bringing him more and more attention. She was, at best, an online acquaintance who died and he played up her death for his own personal gain, which is deplorable if you really think about it. This would also explain why he didn't really know that much about her and why he never visited her when she was injured or dying.
Said it yesterday, worth saying again...
Every hour that goes by that he doesn't talk, makes him look less believable when he eventually talks. Again, if he was duped on this, how in the hell are you not out in front of this asap? Especially with the biggest job interviews of your life quickly approaching?
I hope he gets invited to the draft, sits in the green room for a while, and there happens to be an open/empty chair next to him. Now THAT will be funny.
Quote from: MUDish on January 18, 2013, 01:08:58 PM
Said it yesterday, worth saying again...
Every hour that goes by that he doesn't talk, makes him look less believable when he eventually talks. Again, if he was duped on this, how in the hell are you not out in front of this asap? Especially with the biggest job interviews of your life quickly approaching?
I hope he gets invited to the draft, sits in the green room for a while, and there happens to be an open/empty chair next to him. Now THAT will be funny.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on January 18, 2013, 01:08:13 PM
I really do think he was duped. I just don't think this girl became his girlfriend and the love of his life until it started bringing him more and more attention. She was, at best, an online acquaintance who died and he played up her death for his own personal gain, which is deplorable if you really think about it. This would also explain why he didn't really know that much about her and why he never visited her when she was injured or dying.
Well articulated and as good a hypothesis as I have read anywhere.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 18, 2013, 11:11:35 AM
THAT BASTARD!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Johnson
One Dog was one of Hawk's favorite players.
Gimme a break. Manti hasnt spoken yet because he doesnt have all of his "facts" straight/made-up yet. From here on out, whatever anybody says that is tied to this story will be words filtered by attorneys and PR machines. Do some of you really think you will get the truth presented to you on a silver platter? Right now, the money is being collected from ND alums and the individuals that will receive a piece of the pie are being identified and vetted. From there, a cute story will paint him as a victim and every insanely naive person that listens to the news or reads articles that will be published in the coming days/weeks wont realize that what they are reading is the best fabricated story that money can buy. ND apologists will spread it and defend it. And Ill laugh my ass off.
God forbid they tried Facetime, Skype or any other easily available video technology..... This whole thing stinks
Quote from: MUDish on January 18, 2013, 01:08:58 PM
I hope he gets invited to the draft, sits in the green room for a while, and there happens to be an open/empty chair next to him. Now THAT will be funny.
A friend of mine took a picture of her with her arm around an imaginary person and captioned it #Te'o-ing.
Quote from: lawwarrior12 on January 18, 2013, 02:01:59 PM
A friend of mine took a picture of her with her arm around an imaginary person and captioned it #Te'o-ing.
So did a million other people in the last 48 hours.
Quote from: honkytonk on January 18, 2013, 01:50:39 PM
Gimme a break. Manti hasnt spoken yet because he doesnt have all of his "facts" straight/made-up yet. From here on out, whatever anybody says that is tied to this story will be words filtered by attorneys and PR machines. Do some of you really think you will get the truth presented to you on a silver platter? Right now, the money is being collected from ND alums and the individuals that will receive a piece of the pie are being identified and vetted. From there, a cute story will paint him as a victim and every insanely naive person that listens to the news or reads articles that will be published in the coming days/weeks wont realize that what they are reading is the best fabricated story that money can buy. ND apologists will spread it and defend it. And Ill laugh my ass off.
A conspiracy theorist laughing at the gullibility/naivete of the rest of the world - that's irony.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on January 18, 2013, 02:15:08 PM
A conspiracy theorist laughing at the gullibility/naivete of the rest of the world - that's irony.
Conspiracy? Oh, I guess you dont believe this will all get cleaned up by attorneys and PR reps. Nah, stuff like that NEVER happens when a public figure does something stupid. Please put your head back in the sand.
So Teo does a very late night interview on a Friday night. Off camera.
Cowardly.
Quote from: MUDish on January 18, 2013, 11:08:10 PM
So Teo does a very late night interview on a Friday night. Off camera.
Cowardly.
Yeah, he's missing date night. His girlfriend looks pretty annoyed in the chair behind him.
(http://i.imgur.com/FNEVPpu.jpg)
If you can't go on camera, and speak to everyone about this, I don't want you playing for me on Sunday's.
2 days ago?!?! Seriously?!??!
Paging Jack Swarbrick...care to recant?
Un f'n real. Un f'n real.
Quote from: MUDish on January 19, 2013, 12:01:46 AM
2 days ago?!?! Seriously?!??!
Paging Jack Swarbrick...care to recant?
Un f'n real. Un f'n real.
This is insane. Don't you think the NFL interviews will tear this crap apart?
Quote from: PTM on January 19, 2013, 12:05:27 AM
This is insane. Don't you think the NFL interviews will tear this crap apart?
NFL teams will be the one's who really dig up and uncover this story. Most NFL background checks are done by former FBI guys.
I normally like Jeremy Schapp, but he seems duped.
"He hopes this simmers down and this story just goes away."
Sure, any time you do an interview, off camera, with specific terms, with inconsistencies, almost blowing up twitter, it'll just go away.
I'm sure my mortgage will just go away.
He is clearly a narcissist. I cant imagine that unless he is a super star, which he isnt, that NFL teams will want to put up with this.
I wish he would have asked Teo about his actual girlfriend he had days after the girl he loved died.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2264753/Manti-Teos-REAL-girlfriend-Football-star-dated-student-just-weeks-heartbreaking-death-hoax-lover-dont-look-alike.htm
The Smoking Gun makes a pretty compelling case that Te'o was a rube, not the mastermind of a hoax.
Lots of people have already made up their minds, and that's fine. I suspect a distaste for all things Notre Dame plays into that, which also is fine.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/bizarre/manti-teo-rube-984703
Pretty obvious he was duped and then he embellished their relationship due to not wanting people to know it was only an online relationship and they never met.
Definitely embarrassing for the kid but I can think of a sh.t ton of worse things a 20 year old could and have done as far as interfering with the public good.
Quote from: Stone Cold on January 20, 2013, 08:36:46 PM
Pretty obvious he was duped and then he embellished their relationship due to not wanting people to know it was only an online relationship and they never met.
And also because it brought him a ton of media attention.
MU grad Brian Hardin out at ND, takes job as deputy AD of external affairs at Ball State.
Possible fall out from Teo situation.
ESPN's @JeremySchapp: Unverified phone records suggest Te'o on phone w/person he thought was Kekua for 110 calls of > hour
Quote from: Stone Cold on January 23, 2013, 04:18:41 PM
ESPN's @JeremySchapp: Unverified phone records suggest Te'o on phone w/person he thought was Kekua for 110 calls of > hour
Dude likes to talk to his boyfriend, what's the big deal?
So, apparently manti made the 600+ phone calls/thousands of hours all while talking to tuiasosopo the whole time. Wow. How do you not know the voice on the other end is a guy? I'm not saying he is, but this certainly points more to the plausibility of a gay cover story. That, or teo has to be one of the dumbest people alive.
Quote from: jesmu84 on January 24, 2013, 11:20:58 AM
So, apparently manti made the 600+ phone calls/thousands of hours all while talking to tuiasosopo the whole time. Wow. How do you not know the voice on the other end is a guy? I'm not saying he is, but this certainly points more to the plausibility of a gay cover story. That, or teo has to be one of the dumbest people alive.
Really it seems like he is both.
Quote from: jesmu84 on January 24, 2013, 11:20:58 AM
So, apparently manti made the 600+ phone calls/thousands of hours all while talking to tuiasosopo the whole time. Wow. How do you not know the voice on the other end is a guy? I'm not saying he is, but this certainly points more to the plausibility of a gay cover story. That, or teo has to be one of the dumbest people alive.
I was watching Dan Patrick this morning as he interviewed Katie Couric. She said she listened to many of the voicemails and the voice sounded like a woman. Take it for what is worth, but in her opinion if it was a guy then he did a great job of portraying the voice as a woman.
Definitely sounds like/really is a chick. assumptions have proven to be dumb in this weird case.
Voicemails from girlfriend
http://deadspin.com/5978713/ (http://deadspin.com/5978713/)
I know people want to bury this guy as dumb or whatever, mostly because he is a ND guy and people thrive on that. Plenty of really smart people have been duped before whether it is Bernie Madoff and of those bilked, the old days of Candid Camera or Punk'd, you name it and smart people have been fooled. Hell, how many spouses have been fooled by their spouse, sometimes for years, on how faithful they were, etc.?
I have no doubt that Manti covered some things up and embellished, but the more and more that I see out of this it is certainly a possibility (maybe a strong one), that he was hoaxed for quite some time. Then, upon realizing it and also seeing how it was playing out for him, he ran with it. That's how it looks to me, but the every day there seems to be another log thrown on the fire.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on January 24, 2013, 05:28:11 PM
I know people want to bury this guy as dumb or whatever, mostly because he is a ND guy and people thrive on that. Plenty of really smart people have been duped before whether it is Bernie Madoff and of those bilked, the old days of Candid Camera or Punk'd, you name it and smart people have been fooled. Hell, how many spouses have been fooled by their spouse, sometimes for years, on how faithful they were, etc.?
I have no doubt that Manti covered some things up and embellished, but the more and more that I see out of this it is certainly a possibility (maybe a strong one), that he was hoaxed for quite some time. Then, upon realizing it and also seeing how it was playing out for him, he ran with it. That's how it looks to me, but the every day there seems to be another log thrown on the fire.
Duped for three years? Never attempted to see her? Didn't visit her in the hospital? Didn't attend her funeral? Yet this was the love of his life? Wow. :o
I have no idea if T'eo is smart or stupid...but he does appear to have serious mental and/or emotional problems. And yes, I'm enjoying this story because it involves ND. As I've mentioned, I've never run across a more arrogant, holier-than-thou group than NDers. Anything that knocks them down a few pegs is fine by me.
Also, I get a kick out of NDers whining about how this T'eo story won't die. Just imagine if T'eo had attended USC (as he was close to doing)...NDers would be taking unbelievable joy in fanning the flames.
T'eo is smart or stupid
People I know from Hawaii that know him say that on the naive bar he is about a 2%.
Quote from: Groin_pull on January 24, 2013, 06:32:10 PM
Duped for three years? Never attempted to see her? Didn't visit her in the hospital? Didn't attend her funeral? Yet this was the love of his life? Wow. :o
I have no idea if T'eo is smart or stupid...but he does appear to have serious mental and/or emotional problems. And yes, I'm enjoying this story because it involves ND. As I've mentioned, I've never run across a more arrogant, holier-than-thou group than NDers. Anything that knocks them down a few pegs is fine by me.
Also, I get a kick out of NDers whining about how this T'eo story won't die. Just imagine if T'eo had attended USC (as he was close to doing)...NDers would be taking unbelievable joy in fanning the flames.
Wasn't aware of the 3 year timeline. Haven't followed it close enough, but I thought he denied it was anything more than about 14 to 16 months. I thought it was interesting that Couric (who I don't like) thought he was hoaxed, at least partially. I guess I need more data still, but ESPN and USATODAY were suggesting today that his story seems to be holding up. Again, for whatever that is worth.
Any dude who hasn't once attempted to get into the pants of his girlfriend of 3 years, needs an immediate head examination of his own.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on January 24, 2013, 08:23:14 PM
Any dude who hasn't once attempted to get into the pants of his girlfriend of 3 years, needs an immediate head examination of his own.
Tim Tebow
Quote from: 4everwarriors on January 24, 2013, 08:23:14 PM
Any dude who hasn't once attempted to get into the pants of his girlfriend of 3 years, needs an immediate head examination of his own.
Any dude who calls someone the love of their life and sleeps with the phone connected and next to his head, but wouldn't think to go to their funeral, is either in need of professional psychological treatment, or more likely, an f-ing liar.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on January 24, 2013, 05:28:11 PM
I know people want to bury this guy as dumb or whatever, mostly because he is a ND guy and people thrive on that.
And you know why people "thrive on that?" This is why...
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-23/manti-te-o-joins-notre-dame-s-long-tradition-of-hooey.html
And believe me, I hate it in all sports. There are very few sports-writers I like who cut through the crap to really get to the heart of what they are writing about. And as a Packer fan, I know full well about this and Vince Lombardi. Great football coach, but pretty much a turd of a human being...and I don't want anyone to use him as an example of being a great "leader."
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on January 25, 2013, 09:42:07 AM
And you know why people "thrive on that?" This is why...
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-23/manti-te-o-joins-notre-dame-s-long-tradition-of-hooey.html
And believe me, I hate it in all sports. There are very few sports-writers I like who cut through the crap to really get to the heart of what they are writing about. And as a Packer fan, I know full well about this and Vince Lombardi. Great football coach, but pretty much a turd of a human being...and I don't want anyone to use him as an example of being a great "leader."
Good read, thanks.
Te'o already has admitted to being a liar, including lies he told to his own father.
He obviously isn't the brightest bulb in the box.
And as a few pointed out, he's a helluva boyfriend if he doesn't even think about attending the funeral of the love of his life.
I keep thinking the story should just go away ... but then something crazier comes out and I find myself paying attention again. So shame on me, too!
And now, there's this:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/01/30/ronaiah_tuiasosopo_dr_phil_manti_te_o_s_hoaxer_apparently_was_in_love_with.html
Quote from: warriorchick on January 30, 2013, 12:42:29 PM
And now, there's this:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/01/30/ronaiah_tuiasosopo_dr_phil_manti_te_o_s_hoaxer_apparently_was_in_love_with.html
Looks like ZFB shouldn't have touched himself to those voice-mail recordings...