81 replies to this topic

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

http://deadspin.com/...eason-is-a-hoax

An interesting read.

If this story is true, it's absolutely mind-blowing, disturbing, and disgusting. So far I've seen nothing to discredit it.

Edited by BALTIMOREFLACCO, 16 January 2013 - 05:11 PM.

[Corvus Amplus]

Uhh.... All I can say is you can't believe everything on the internet. Interesting that these guys put all that work to verify if Teo's story was true. We assume ESPN and other major journalists did their work when covering the story, so somethings got to give.

Edited by Corvus Amplus, 16 January 2013 - 05:28 PM.

[Ragin'Raven]

There's really no valid, credible information in that article. It's like reading a National Enquirer. I don't believe that at all, and it's even more disturbing that they'd call that kid a liar.

[bdravens]

http://deadspin.com/...eason-is-a-hoax

An interesting read.

If this story is true, it's absolutely mind-blowing, disturbing, and disgusting. So far I've seen nothing to discredit it.

Looks like he got Catfish'd. Seriously. If anyone's seen the Notre Dame press release, doesn't sound like he even realized it was fake until recently.

Link to the ND release: http://notredame.247...oversy-15894155

Edited by bdravens, 16 January 2013 - 05:25 PM.

[a20havoc]

I heard Manti Te'o interviewed in the Jungle about a month after his grandmother and girlfriend died. He did not sound like a man who was making this up. At least Romey didn't think so.

I think some people are always looking for a reason to talk trash online, is what I think. I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

Just my $0.02.

ETA: If this is true, that somebody played him like this, my opinion of humankind is lowered even further than it was before. And it was pretty low to begin with.

Edited by a20havoc, 16 January 2013 - 05:32 PM.

[Ragin'Raven]

Is there any other actual reliable (AP) source?

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

Notre Dame and several press outlets just confirmed it.

However, they are saying he was the victim of it.

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.

http://www.businessi...-of-hoax-2013-1

http://www.usatoday....adspin/1840415/

http://www.freep.com...dyssey=nav|head

Edited by BALTIMOREFLACCO, 16 January 2013 - 05:43 PM.

[EricH]

Kinda like the Sandy Hook hoax.

[Ragin'Raven]

So did Notre Dame issue an actual statement, or is this just another article saying Notre Dame issued an announcement? Is there legitimate truth?

[Token]

So did Notre Dame issue an actual statement, or is this just another article saying Notre Dame issued an announcement? Is there legitimate truth?

They issued an actual statement.

What I don't get is, if this is a hoax, how can you be tricked like this? Did you never see her in person, did you not see the body or something?

There's still a lot of info that hasn't come out yet I'm guessing.

[Mt. Crushmore]

If it is true, SIs Tony Pauline says it will have a major impact on his draft grade.

https://twitter.com/...674856427241472

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

They issued an actual statement.

What I don't get is, if this is a hoax, how can you be tricked like this? Did you never see her in person, did you not see the body or something?

There's still a lot of info that hasn't come out yet I'm guessing.

Yeah I don't understand either

[T3hRaven]

Looks like he got Catfish'd. Seriously. If anyone's seen the Notre Dame press release, doesn't sound like he even realized it was fake until recently.

If the nation didn't somewhat rally behind him, it would be kinda funny that a pseudo-celebrity was also one of those people who thought their chatroom girlfriend was the real deal.

[Token]

"This is incredibly embarrassing to talk about, but over an extended period of time, I developed an emotional relationship with a woman I met online. We maintained what I thought to be an authentic relationship by communicating frequently online and on the phone, and I grew to care deeply about her. "To realize that I was the victim of what was apparently someone's sick joke and constant lies was, and is, painful and humiliating. "It further pains me that the grief I felt and the sympathies expressed to me at the time of my grandmother's death in September were in any way deepened by what I believed to be another significant loss in my life. "I am enormously grateful for the support of my family, friends and Notre Dame fans throughout this year. To think that I shared with them my happiness about my relationship and details that I thought to be true about her just makes me sick. I hope that people can understand how trying and confusing this whole experience has been. "In retrospect, I obviously should have been much more cautious. If anything good comes of this, I hope it is that others will be far more guarded when they engage with people online than I was. "Fortunately, I have many wonderful things in my life, and I'm looking forward to putting this painful experience behind me as I focus on preparing for the NFL Draft."

That's his statement, but the parts that are bolded are interesting. Especially since there are multiple reports of him actually meeting her.

Lennay Kekua was a Stanford student and Cardinal football fan when the two exchanged glances, handshakes and phone numbers that fateful weekend three seasons ago.

http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2012-10-12/sports/34419536_1_brian-and-ottilia-manti-te-o-irish-head-coach

And from the Deadspin article itself

2010-2011: Te'o and Kekua are friends. "She was gifted in music, multi-lingual, had dreams grounded in reality and the talent to catch up to them" (South Bend Tribune). "They started out as just friends," Te'o's father, Brian, told the Tribune in October 2012. "Every once in a while, she would travel to Hawaii, and that happened to be the time Manti was home, so he would meet with her there."

[T3hRaven]

I don't know how to link tweets directly, but SportsCenter just tweeted something interesting.

"Source tells Deadspin (who first reported Manti Te'o fake girlfriend story) that he's 80% sure Te'o participated in hoax." - SportsCenter

[BloodRaven]

[raybaby]

http://articles.sout...rish-head-coach


According to this article his father said they met in person... so.

[Alexir]

Wow. Looks like Te'o might slip to us after all....with his baggage...

This is just strange. Way too strange.

[Alexir]

Also says they used to hang out in Hawaii. What a sick human being to make this story up.

[Ragin'Raven]

Ok, seeing all that I've seen, that kid has had some part in the hoax. To what extent, no one might ever know, but that kid knows something the rest of the population does not.

Edited by Ragin'Raven, 16 January 2013 - 07:12 PM.