[terry]

Te'o was admitted to Stanford. Stanford was one of his top five schools (along with NotreDame, U.S.C., UCLA, and BYU). When Te'o made his official visit to Stanford, he gave the coaching staff his commitment to Stanford. Obviously, he didn't follow through on that commitment.

I need to backtrack on my statement that Te'o was admitted to Stanford. He did give a commitment to Stanford's coaches while he was on his official visit to Stanford. But I can't find any evidence that he was admitted, or even that he finished his application. So now I don't know whether he was admitted.

[terry]

Te'o was admitted to Stanford. Stanford was one of his top five schools (along with NotreDame, U.S.C., UCLA, and BYU). When Te'o made his official visit to Stanford, he gave the coaching staff his commitment to Stanford. Obviously, he didn't follow through on that commitment.

I need to backtrack on my statement that Te'o was admitted to Stanford. He did give a commitment to Stanford's coaches while he was on his official visit to Stanford. But I can't find any evidence that he was admitted, or even that he finished his application. So now I don't know whether he was admitted.

[Bruce Wang]

Maybe he just said he was admitted.

[Bruce Wang]

Maybe he just said he was admitted.

[Redrum]

I guess this will get old eventually...but not yet.  NPR made the Manti thing a feature on its Saturday morning news show, with ESPN's Howard Bryant stating that he doesn't believe Manti's story for a minute...it just doesn't add up.  An attention grab that reflects our celebrity culture.  Then,  NPR's  This American Life  played a whole show on faking it,  featuring stories of  guys who apparently bought into their own hoax,  knew they were hoaxing  and one who did it out of a kind of morbid fascination in where it was going.

[Redrum]

I guess this will get old eventually...but not yet.  NPR made the Manti thing a feature on its Saturday morning news show, with ESPN's Howard Bryant stating that he doesn't believe Manti's story for a minute...it just doesn't add up.  An attention grab that reflects our celebrity culture.  Then,  NPR's  This American Life  played a whole show on faking it,  featuring stories of  guys who apparently bought into their own hoax,  knew they were hoaxing  and one who did it out of a kind of morbid fascination in where it was going.

[washingtonismoney]

Apparently N.D.'s crack private investigators...never interviewed Te'o: https://twitter.com/BFeldmanCBS/status/2...0366156800

Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe watch out! N.D.'s P.I.s are gunning for that number one spot!

[washingtonismoney]

Apparently N.D.'s crack private investigators...never interviewed Te'o: https://twitter.com/BFeldmanCBS/status/2...0366156800

Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe watch out! N.D.'s P.I.s are gunning for that number one spot!

[terry]

Updating my last post -- A couple people posted on another site that Te'o never submitted his application to Stanford. So he apparently verballed to Stanford before applying or being admitted.

[terry]

Updating my last post -- A couple people posted on another site that Te'o never submitted his application to Stanford. So he apparently verballed to Stanford before applying or being admitted.

[Bruce Wang]

I guess this will get old eventually...but not yet. 

Te'ogate will jump the shark when SNL does an unfunny opening skit on this tonight.

[Bruce Wang]

I guess this will get old eventually...but not yet. 

Te'ogate will jump the shark when SNL does an unfunny opening skit on this tonight.

[Farm93]

Now that it is pretty clear what happened, this should end soon.

Son of SC football player loves scamming Polynesians.
Oddly single ND football star begins a relationship with a Facebook "fan".
Same single ND football adds a lot of lies to the relationship to make it seem more real for the family, the team and the media.
Son of SC football player knows he has a big one hooked and really pours it on.
The ND football player can't get out of the scam because of the lies he built on top of the scam.
Football player either can't comprehend or does not want to comprehend the new reality and maintains the hoax for the good of the team and his teammates.
ND also needs the hoax to be seen as true until the BCS CG, and justifies their role as preserving student privacy.

Easy enough.

In fairness, if he really did not understand the situation until Dec 24th when he discussed things with his family, then his only move was to keep playing along.  If ND lost the game AFTER he disclosed the truth he would have been killed, literally.  This way he looks like a chump unable, or unwilling to date women living in Indiana, but at least few in the NDNation will threaten to kill him.

[Farm93]

Now that it is pretty clear what happened, this should end soon.

Son of SC football player loves scamming Polynesians.
Oddly single ND football star begins a relationship with a Facebook "fan".
Same single ND football adds a lot of lies to the relationship to make it seem more real for the family, the team and the media.
Son of SC football player knows he has a big one hooked and really pours it on.
The ND football player can't get out of the scam because of the lies he built on top of the scam.
Football player either can't comprehend or does not want to comprehend the new reality and maintains the hoax for the good of the team and his teammates.
ND also needs the hoax to be seen as true until the BCS CG, and justifies their role as preserving student privacy.

Easy enough.

In fairness, if he really did not understand the situation until Dec 24th when he discussed things with his family, then his only move was to keep playing along.  If ND lost the game AFTER he disclosed the truth he would have been killed, literally.  This way he looks like a chump unable, or unwilling to date women living in Indiana, but at least few in the NDNation will threaten to kill him.

[needle]

Put me in the camp of believing Te'o. It seems to me it would be pure ego that would allow him to exaggerate this relationship--belief that he's doing her a favor (well, her memory and her family) by professing to national media his love for her.

Prior to the "death," he was probably a kid who loved telling everybody about his sick girlfriend (we all know the type that loves to discuss their own drama) and their mutual devotion. Likely, he felt the distance allowed him some freedom from the real-world obligations of a real-world relationship. Possibly, the distance and remoteness of it all could also be emphasized by him at other times, when convenient...(a sign of immaturity).

Ego and immaturity in a star college athlete, with a love for the flair of the dramatic episode. I really think that explains the lot of it without saying he's "delusional" or "a sociopath." The failure at Skyping means that he's technologically naive, but I don't even consider all this to make him especially socially naive. The idea of a distant relationship just appeals to some people, for a variety of reasons.

[needle]

Put me in the camp of believing Te'o. It seems to me it would be pure ego that would allow him to exaggerate this relationship--belief that he's doing her a favor (well, her memory and her family) by professing to national media his love for her.

Prior to the "death," he was probably a kid who loved telling everybody about his sick girlfriend (we all know the type that loves to discuss their own drama) and their mutual devotion. Likely, he felt the distance allowed him some freedom from the real-world obligations of a real-world relationship. Possibly, the distance and remoteness of it all could also be emphasized by him at other times, when convenient...(a sign of immaturity).

Ego and immaturity in a star college athlete, with a love for the flair of the dramatic episode. I really think that explains the lot of it without saying he's "delusional" or "a sociopath." The failure at Skyping means that he's technologically naive, but I don't even consider all this to make him especially socially naive. The idea of a distant relationship just appeals to some people, for a variety of reasons.

[Kathy]

The failure at Skyping means that he's technologically naive, but I don't even consider all this to make him especially socially naive. The idea of a distant relationship just appeals to some people, for a variety of reasons.

I thought he Skyped with his parents …

[Kathy]

The failure at Skyping means that he's technologically naive, but I don't even consider all this to make him especially socially naive. The idea of a distant relationship just appeals to some people, for a variety of reasons.

I thought he Skyped with his parents …

[DC]

Manti should have been able to get any real woman he wanted at ND.  What's his deal?  :)

Some have suggested that he is gay?  :-\

[DC]

Manti should have been able to get any real woman he wanted at ND.  What's his deal?  :)

Some have suggested that he is gay?  :-\

[Farm93]

Manti should have been able to get any real woman he wanted at ND.  What's his deal?  :)

Some have suggested that he is gay?  :-\

Maybe, maybe not.  That will not be a good story for the media to chase.  If he is gay, they look cruel forcing that very private item to become public.  If he is not, they look cruel for even suggesting he is gay.  The NFL is probably the worst profession in the world to be homosexual, so I would understand Te'o's desire to do almost anything to keep that secret.  I would guess those in the sports media community know that too.

Te'o could simply prefer Polynesians.  He could prefer people that know/love Hawaii.  He could prefer women to look "hot" with summertime clothing, and that is not happening in Indiana in the winter.  He could find dating classmates, or Catholics, uncomfortable.  He could find local dating too demanding for his time or tough logistically.  The list is endless really.

However now that this episode has come to light, he will literally need to showcase a girlfriend ASAP because the NFL community will care.  They will care for a bunch of terrible reasons, but they will try hard to figure it out.

[Farm93]

Manti should have been able to get any real woman he wanted at ND.  What's his deal?  :)

Some have suggested that he is gay?  :-\

Maybe, maybe not.  That will not be a good story for the media to chase.  If he is gay, they look cruel forcing that very private item to become public.  If he is not, they look cruel for even suggesting he is gay.  The NFL is probably the worst profession in the world to be homosexual, so I would understand Te'o's desire to do almost anything to keep that secret.  I would guess those in the sports media community know that too.

Te'o could simply prefer Polynesians.  He could prefer people that know/love Hawaii.  He could prefer women to look "hot" with summertime clothing, and that is not happening in Indiana in the winter.  He could find dating classmates, or Catholics, uncomfortable.  He could find local dating too demanding for his time or tough logistically.  The list is endless really.

However now that this episode has come to light, he will literally need to showcase a girlfriend ASAP because the NFL community will care.  They will care for a bunch of terrible reasons, but they will try hard to figure it out.

[fullmetal]

He'll have to pick a Mormon girlfriend though, I think.

[fullmetal]

He'll have to pick a Mormon girlfriend though, I think.

[CowboyIndian]

I don't know...here's what it sounds like to me: After huddling with agents and advisors for three days, they came up with a story that fits all the known facts and Te'o regurgitated it. It just doesn't pass the BS test.

[CowboyIndian]

I don't know...here's what it sounds like to me: After huddling with agents and advisors for three days, they came up with a story that fits all the known facts and Te'o regurgitated it. It just doesn't pass the BS test.

[Hurlburt88]

I can't help but wonder if Manti should consider doing his LDS mission and re-grounding himself. 

[Hurlburt88]

I can't help but wonder if Manti should consider doing his LDS mission and re-grounding himself. 

[pincemob]

SNL had a funny spoof on Te'o.  Youtube will probably take it down soon, but here you go for now:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni-YLaXOroE

[pincemob]

SNL had a funny spoof on Te'o.  Youtube will probably take it down soon, but here you go for now:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni-YLaXOroE

[pincemob]

Deadspin posted several more of the tweets from this story.  I got a laugh out of the below: 

As a supposed Stanford student, Lennay roots for the Cardinal—but calls the team the "Cardinals," an error she makes repeatedly in her tweets.

19-Oct-11
11:33 AM
lovalovaloveYOU
Lunch is almost here. My daddy is feeling much better. The beau is off to practice. #SC week. My Cardinals plan to destroy UW!! #goSTANFORD!

22-Oct-11
8:08 PM
lovalovaloveYOU
Great game baby! I am so proud of you (: Congrats to SC & my Standord Cardinals! #goIRISH! Love you babe! #5 xoxo

23-Oct-11
10:55 PM
lovalovaloveYOU
I am so ready for the Stanford vs. USC game this week! My Cardinals are gonna smash! Will I see any of my followers at the Colly? #BEATusc

[pincemob]

Deadspin posted several more of the tweets from this story.  I got a laugh out of the below: 

As a supposed Stanford student, Lennay roots for the Cardinal—but calls the team the "Cardinals," an error she makes repeatedly in her tweets.

19-Oct-11
11:33 AM
lovalovaloveYOU
Lunch is almost here. My daddy is feeling much better. The beau is off to practice. #SC week. My Cardinals plan to destroy UW!! #goSTANFORD!

22-Oct-11
8:08 PM
lovalovaloveYOU
Great game baby! I am so proud of you (: Congrats to SC & my Standord Cardinals! #goIRISH! Love you babe! #5 xoxo

23-Oct-11
10:55 PM
lovalovaloveYOU
I am so ready for the Stanford vs. USC game this week! My Cardinals are gonna smash! Will I see any of my followers at the Colly? #BEATusc

[dabigv13]

You'd think Manti could've asked one of the Stanford players about this girl. I'm sure he's at least acquaintances with some of 'em. Luke Kuamatele is actually from the same high school, though they are several years apart.

I think a big part of the reason he didn't, and a big part of the reason he got duped into thinking this was a real person, is that he honestly didn't even care about this girl that much. I doubt he talked to her on the phone every night for hours. The way the twitter messages play out certainly doesn't paint the picture of a committed relationship. I think he believed she was real, and she was pretty, and so when his grandmother died, and then this pretty acquaintance of his died as well, he threw her into the story as his girlfriend. After all, pretty girl from the internet dying doesn't have the gravity to be included with the death of a close family member in a news report.

And then things just gathered steam from there. I think the gay rumors, or the Voldemort pimping rumors, while interesting, would require a lot more mental gymnastics at this point.

[dabigv13]

You'd think Manti could've asked one of the Stanford players about this girl. I'm sure he's at least acquaintances with some of 'em. Luke Kuamatele is actually from the same high school, though they are several years apart.

I think a big part of the reason he didn't, and a big part of the reason he got duped into thinking this was a real person, is that he honestly didn't even care about this girl that much. I doubt he talked to her on the phone every night for hours. The way the twitter messages play out certainly doesn't paint the picture of a committed relationship. I think he believed she was real, and she was pretty, and so when his grandmother died, and then this pretty acquaintance of his died as well, he threw her into the story as his girlfriend. After all, pretty girl from the internet dying doesn't have the gravity to be included with the death of a close family member in a news report.

And then things just gathered steam from there. I think the gay rumors, or the Voldemort pimping rumors, while interesting, would require a lot more mental gymnastics at this point.

[fullmetal]

Masifilo tweeted that Te'o had asked Stanford players after the game if they knew Lennay.

[fullmetal]

Masifilo tweeted that Te'o had asked Stanford players after the game if they knew Lennay.

[Kathy]

So now Manti tells Katie Couric he lied "briefly" about his dead fake Stanford girlfriend. Te'o's defenders say he couldn't/wouldn't have constructed such an elaborate hoax, but AppNewser says it's really not too hard to pull off:

http://www.mediabistro.com/appnewser/how...ook_b31407

[Kathy]

So now Manti tells Katie Couric he lied "briefly" about his dead fake Stanford girlfriend. Te'o's defenders say he couldn't/wouldn't have constructed such an elaborate hoax, but AppNewser says it's really not too hard to pull off:

http://www.mediabistro.com/appnewser/how...ook_b31407

[Farm93]

I am pretty certain I could convince Manti that Lennay is actually living right now and has returned Stanford for medical school.  (Twin sister played a cruel joke or someone stole her computer before she went to Africa to teach kids, etc.)
That is how clueless he has looked in this post Hoax period.

I remember a Gilligan's Island episode where the Soviet cosmonaut, a spy, or someone with a Russian accent decided that Gilligan must be a BRILLIANT man pretending to be clueless because no one could be that clueless/dumb.

That is where I am with Manti.  I just hope the teams I like in the NFL don't draft him because this sideshow could destroy the team chemistry on most teams.

[Farm93]

I am pretty certain I could convince Manti that Lennay is actually living right now and has returned Stanford for medical school.  (Twin sister played a cruel joke or someone stole her computer before she went to Africa to teach kids, etc.)
That is how clueless he has looked in this post Hoax period.

I remember a Gilligan's Island episode where the Soviet cosmonaut, a spy, or someone with a Russian accent decided that Gilligan must be a BRILLIANT man pretending to be clueless because no one could be that clueless/dumb.

That is where I am with Manti.  I just hope the teams I like in the NFL don't draft him because this sideshow could destroy the team chemistry on most teams.