Manti Te'o a fraud?

[TallTitan34]

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.

[Pakuni]

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.

[nyg]

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??????

[RJax55]

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.

[Golden Avalanche]

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.

[JWags85]

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.

[RJax55]

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.

[Warriors10]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIl5RxhLZ5U

[GGGG]

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.  

[nyg]

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8851033/story-manti-teo-girlfriend-death-apparently-hoax

Latest ESPN story with statement from Te'o.  

[GGGG]

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.

[Tommy Brice for Coach]

New big head for the Notre Dame game:  Teo's fake girlfriend

+100000 Please students make it happen

[jesmu84]

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...

[nyg]

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. 

[wadesworld]

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!

[Hards Alumni]

This is best thing ever.

[Blackhat]

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...."

[Groin_pull]

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.

[bricklayer]

Life achievement level: Costanza

[brewcity77]

This is insane. Not sure what's worse, Te'o propagating this or ND's statement.

[Dish]

Come on guys, show some respect. A girl who never existed is dead.

[Marqevans]

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.

[GGGG]

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.

[Dish]

Not sure that Swarbrick speaking at a presser in 20 mins does anyone any good.