Saturday, January 19, 2013
Manti Te'O Says He Is Innocent
In an interview with ESPN, Notre Dame player Manti Te'O says he is innocent and was not a part of this vast hoax. He also says that he knows it was crazy to just have an online relationship and never meet the person, and that he made some mistakes during the time, but that he was not a part of it. The video below is Jeremy Schaap discussing the audio interview he did with Manti and some of the quotes from Manti. Apparently the interview lasted well over two hours and that Manti was really consistent with his story.
Still unbelievable....
ReplyDeleteI really don't care...he's a Mormon do they date ? I know they marry very young and are said to be virgins...so who knows what goes on in his head...
ReplyDeleteI still think he's gay and it's a coverup of that. I have heard that there is a lot of hatred of gay people in the NFL - and if he wants a career in the NFL he'll have to stay closeted. I haven't heard of ANY woman or girl coming forward saying "I dated him" or "He came on to me" or anything similar. You know the press has been looking for women he's dated. And you know he could have had his pick of any women at Notre Dame or another school. We've been watching the sports shows on ESPN as well as the news and no one is suggesting he's gay - I'm sure they're worried about Te'o being harmed if he comes out. Unless you can come up with several women he's at least dated seriously or had a relationship with (NOT an internet relationship) I'm going to think he's gay. And I think he's going to have a very sad life until he comes out.
ReplyDeleteThere's no animosity against gays in the NFL than there is in the NHL.Where do people get that mess from???
DeleteDidn't he talk in interviews about going to see her? Or was that just to make the relationship seem more normal because he was embarrassed by the whole online thing?
ReplyDeleteIf I have trouble getting to sleep tonight, I'll replay this tape of Jeremy Schaap. Damn this fucker is boring. And he whines. Dude sucks. Oh yeah, and this story is even more boring than Jeremy.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Nola. This must be a super slow news week for this baloney Manti Teo story to be getting so much play. Last week it was diaper boy smoking weed, this week it's a fake girlfriend story? I'm glad there's not too much other bad stuff to report on right now. The guy's a Mormon, it's not like his critical thinking skills are razor sharp to begin with. You do what you're told, believe what you're told, have as many kids as God gives you, tithe ten percent, and shut up.
ReplyDeleteMake no mistake, having this interview take place near midnight on a Friday is not a coincidence. Bury that story....work the news cycle, Te'o!!!
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteWell they would have to cover their tracks somehow. Showing the reporter tweets of an apology is not really groundbreaking evidence. Let us say he didn't know for whatever reason and really got tricked; he along with ND were still trying to keep everything under wraps for his personal gain. If you watch some of the older interviews where he talks about Lennay, you can almost see him just making shit up as he went along the interview.
ReplyDeleteThe crazy thing to me is how the g/f he never met became the focus of so many interviews, yet the poor grandma who really did pass away barely ever got any mention from Manti. He milked the dead g/f schtick for all that it had. He can say he got tricked all he wants, doesn't change the fact that he straight up LIED about so many countless other statements he made.
A football player with an online-only relationship- wait, check that.
ReplyDeleteA NOTRE DAME football player with an online-only relationship.
Yeah. TOTALLY believable.
Yeah...I don't buy that he was a "victim" here. Why would he, his family, and the school keep up this charade after they "found out" it was fake? Why would he make up all of those details about talking to her on the phone, meeting her family, going on vacation to Hawaii, etc? It's all too fishy.
ReplyDelete@Evil, really, only ugly people get trolled online? That's rather short-sighted and biased to assume.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to leave it with this: Hope it never happens to you but if you're online long enough, it probably will. Get off your high horse.
I'm with SusanB - no history of past girlfriends, and viola, a fake internet gf pops up and perishes just as it's Heisman and NFL draft time. He doesn't sound like the sharpest knife in the drawer - but, he's not that stupid. There are also photos floating around, of him posing with the young niece of the guy who supposedly pulled off this stunt. What a sad, closeted life he's going to lead.
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ReplyDelete@Kloie, do you know what it takes to try to unravel an online hoaxer like this? It looks simple to an outsider with hindsight, but the target of the perp first has to deal with the shock and humiliation and embarrassment; and then they have to try to piece things together; and then still, far too often, it is still hard to admit the truth of the fraud they fell for because of how far in and real it was for them.
ReplyDeleteWatched a friend go through this first-hand. The only people I wish it on now are those who think they're too good to have it ever happen to them. Assuming it can't happen to a star football player, or does happen to someone just because he or she is gay, I mean, wow. That's incredibly naive. As naive as you accuse Te'o of being.
Being around the internets I've seen people create elaborate lies to people they became friendly with and met IRL- even in an anthro clothing 'group' some popular girl with a blog, Kim? I think offered shopping services and scammed countless people.
ReplyDeleteBy nature we want to believe people are honest (at least until the bs meter goes off) so I think when you factor in his religion the online dating and naivity becomes plausible.
@Dewie, I didn't say anything about assuming it can't happen to a star football player or it happening "because he's gay." I don't really care about either one. I think he did it for attention from Heisman voters, period. I'm sorry your friend had this happen to him/her, but this guy's trying to cover his butt, period.
ReplyDeleteI've been a member of several message boards where people have constructed fake personas and bilked people-one where they faked the persona's death -but there are some things to do with this one that have not come out clearly or that don't fit him being totally unaware--I think there is more to the story yet to come out.
ReplyDeleteHe's gay
ReplyDeleteAnything coming from Manti or his family or Notre Dame is no longer credible.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that his sexuality is as relevant as he is probably just a not too swift guy. Not many football players are playing with all their neurons.
ReplyDeleteBTW the rumor I'm hearing is that they are going to say that she had to fake her own death to get away from drug dealers.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like something Johnny Cochran floated to get OJ off.
I think he fell for the hoax at first, but did nothing to stop it once he found out because of the Heisman thing. I think it's also possible he played up the relationship as more than it was, (before he found out it was a hoax).
ReplyDeleteI don't see why this continues to be a story, and I hope it doesn't hurt his NFL draft. He's an idiot and a liar, but this is a victimless issue. He didn't benefit from it and no one was hurt by it.
Totally agree. In fact I think it makes him look like he's already taken too many hits to the helmet.
DeleteI don't know that he's gay. I just think he was working the media to get sympathy/amazing publicity.
ReplyDeleteOf course, a Mormon Samoan might go to great lengths to stay in the closet.
Tammy - People donated $$$ to "the cause," some fund set up for the girl. There are victims.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who doubt this story or don't understand why he tried to cover it up....watch the Independent documentary "Catfish". A really good looking guy who is an artist attracts the attention of a "young prodigy" who draws one of his pieces and sends it to him. They strike up a friendship and through her he hooks up with *online only* her older sister (or cousin can't remember). He and the older girl become close ONLINE and sets out with her friends to finally meet her. What he finds is probably who Manti will find when this is investigated. It's hard to believe people go such lengths to carry on relationships online but I believe Manti and his story. He admits he lied to his father about meeting her. His family only knows what he told them and I believe he was embarrassed by the situation once he figured out he'd been duped.
ReplyDeleteHotHotHeat: Catfish was an excellent film. I still can see one of her stepkids walking around having a fit and moaning. Haunting! Cannot believe he forgave her.
DeleteThe animosity against gays in Jai alai though is off the charts.
ReplyDelete^sets out with *his* friends to meet her.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he's gay.Its funny to speculate that he is but seriously you shouldn't.It further hurts his chances as a high draft pick.
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ReplyDeleteYep, Little Miss - and this was *after* the date that he, the school, and his family allegedly found out about the hoax. Nice, right? If - and I mean "if" - it was a hoax, don't sucker innocent people into it.
ReplyDeleteThe Catfish 'documentary' if you want to call it that has also been called into question. The filmmakers swear it is true. Morgan Spurlock said it was a fake documentary. The whole scenario was such an obvious hoax and how could such internet savy people fall for it.
ReplyDeleteThat it is believed they knew it was a fake and chose to exploit it to create the documentary around it. Why did they start filming when nothing seemed out of place? They traveled cross country with a camera crew to meet her (strange) all the important moments were magically captured on tape and the fact the woman had an interview at the end was the big red flag for me. People who do this hide in the shadows they don't parade their real name and faces around. And certain details also didn't check out when reportesrs looked into it. But hey it's Hollywood, whatever sells. Now they have a series about it on Mtv and everything Mtv does is real and honest *cough cough* The Hills.
A real documentary on an actual case that happend was Tallhotblonde. About a mother who assumes her young hot daughter identity onlline and seduces two men who worked at the same company. The one man was so jealous of the other he killed him in their factory parking lot. The woman couldn't be charged with anything becuase she didn't instigate it. But once it was discovered she was bascially stalking her own daughter through photos (to lure men in) her husband divorced her and the daughter has nothing to do with her now.
Also Brett Ratner co-executive produced, so, eww.
ReplyDeleteAs @hothotheat mentioned, there is a documentary called "Catfish." It is the basis for the new MTV reality show of the same name. I've never seen it, but my sister thinks its hilarious, and it's currently taking up space in my DVR.
ReplyDeleteI dont know what to think. The whole thing is so Jr High- the fake girlfriend, the fatal disease-i mean, c'mon!
ReplyDeletehe is full of caca doo and im sorry, i believe he is fullblown gay and a suck ass liar
ReplyDeleteToday the NY Post has a whole article about an ACTUAL girl he's been seeing for months.
ReplyDeleteHuh?
My cousins husband has met a woman online. My cousin found out and has offered to send him to go meet her and conveniently the woman makes excuse after excuse of why he can't come. She said she was coma for 5 days, she claims she's a nurse in the neo natal ward ( my cousin works in obstetrics), she's had cancer, etc...to everyone else it's obviously made up, but he defends it. I think people talk themselves into believing these things because its easier to have a fantasy relationship than deal with the reality of day to day life. Im not sure what really happened in this story, but it could be this guy is really naive and inexperienced. I haven't heard it mentioned whether he was sending this "girl" any money. It's sounds like this persona also was in contact with others and I wonder if it was a con of some kind
ReplyDelete@Ingrid Superstar, you made me spray coffee with your jai lai comment!
ReplyDeleteDid he lie? Absolutely.. But I don't believe he created the "girlfriend." He should have told his side first and he didn't, now no matter what he says, other victims say, or the hoaxter says people still won't believe him. That's their choice. Last time I checked lying isn't a crime. Even if he did play a role, he's hurt no one worse then himself. I think that's fair punishment.
ReplyDeleteAs for the heisman talk... He was not on the short list of candidates when the girlfriend died. The talk was about others like the qb's at USC and WVU. Most sportswriters thought ND would lose at least 5 games. (with Michigan, Stanford, Oklahoma, & USC still on the schedule) The heisman has only gone to 1 player in its history from a losing team and it's never gone to a purely defensive player. (which he is) So for him to presume that ND would: 1. Win all it's games and 2. That He'd be the only player ever without scoring a TD to win the heisman is beyond far fetched.
Is he gay? I have no idea. If he is, he deserves the right to share that on his own time. But for those questioning if he's ever dated a real girl, there's a story from today on sports illustrated about a girl he dated after the fake one had "died". I would hope this new one is a living, breathing real girl, but who knows.
Talked to a guy at work who is a Samoan Jack Mormon with family ties to Laie. Here's what I got as the story:
ReplyDeleteManti is a very devout Mormon and only wants to date professed Mormon girls of good standing. Being that he went from a Townie prep school to a Catholic college, he doesn't have much Mormon girls in his physical proximity. Ronaiah is an old bro friend, though Ronaiah is likely a closeted gay. Ronaiah "introduced" him to a girl he knows that fitted all of Manti's qualifications. He got his cousin to play along for phone calls. Manti caught on eventually, but it was already too late to end it gracefully, and they were hoping they could spin it or have it drop into the memory hole when it leaked. Much of the reason for the lack of discussion is homophobia, though it's more because the heated "chats" Manti had with his "girlfriend" who was actually his "sole" (close male friend). It's an awkwardness that easy for you and me to deal with, but for a devout Mormon football player, it's probably messed with his head hardcore.
Honestly, I can't fathom why this has become a nationwide, "breaking news", omg story. It seems as though he was pretty sheltered and believed what he wanted to be so. Who cares?
ReplyDeleteFor starters - he openly talked about her in interviews for years, including her Lukemia and passing. He often spoke of meeting her and talking to her on the phone. Here is what is going on now. ESPN and all these other news outlets are covering their asses. If one person bothered to check any of his story on this chick, like did she go to stanford - no, did she die - no, does she exist? NO. Instead they all look like idiots so of course they are going to go with the he got duped story. So is he, he is now playing it down saying it was off and on and she pursued him. Uhuh. He said the guy who did this admitted he did this to him via twitter, but he deleted his twitter account last week..so um how did he do that? Nothing adds up.
ReplyDeleteYes...but who cares?
ReplyDeletei'm more surprised that people,on a gossip blog with fake IDs, have a hard time believing this guy got duped by a fake persona over the internet.
ReplyDeleteThis is the same place where monikers & handles are all "OMG girl, let's meet up for coffee next time you're in Cali/Hey Joe Blow, where u been? We've missed you! How R U & your 7 cats?!".....
and on a dime the lovefest turns nasty when, (those that have been around for a few years will remember), Enty allows 'anonymous' posts on certain "Your Turn"s and all hell breaks loose. As if Blogger ID's aren't anon enough. Weird. NO ONE is as they appear on this idjiot box, even YOU.
Everyone here (except Enty) gets duped everyday, this Manty chap just got taken & outed publicly. And ya, like everyone else here, he lied.
For the most part, I enjoy the 'characters' here. I just don't announce it at work that I have friends named "Pookie, Icecat & TimeBob & boy, did we have a hoot on Friday!"
@mygeorgie I found this a interesting topic for us to discuss considering the daily conversations that occur here as to whether Enty is who he says he is and then the whole drama surrounding himmmm, lol.
ReplyDelete@Ingrid S
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laugh. Good one.
@Sherry I would've been furious with her. She was definitely a sad case. I know authenticity has been questioned but I do believe this stuff happens and people get duped like this. I can't believe there are people out there who can "fall in love" with someone over the internet.
ReplyDeleteCatfish was very entertaining and yes, haunting.
ReplyDeleteBut I would never fall for that kind of scenario. I beleive what Enty tells me because it's somewhat removed but I kind of feel sorry for people who get their hearts misled for kicks. It's beyond shitty and clearly in Catfish the women behind the ruse was mentally ill, but still, it's a shitty thing to do to another human being.
@MAC...totally. "Where's Himmmm when we need him?" That one always cracks me up.
ReplyDeleteEnty should do another Anon your turn and ask folks "What do you lie about/cover up as your persona on CDaN?"
Haha, total buzzkill, non?
Enty gets duped every night.
ReplyDeleteI said it before and I will say it again; I wonder how many users on here are actually the same people, posting troll comments and having epic online fights with themselves.
ReplyDeletecommenters here are generally swifter, but i remember years ago when i followed the LaineyLurv FB page, there was a gal on there who had at least 3 accounts and until the end when we all witnessed an online implosion, she was otherwise pretty damn good at co-ordinating/separating 3 different personalities.
ReplyDeleteWeird, but mostly sad, that one would put so much energy into such a shallow fantasy.
@spike....thanks for the interesting inside info!! Wow.
ReplyDeleteI witnessed on this blog 1 reader trip themselves up using alt ID' s as I was trying to read comments. The reader was supporting his/her point of view but did so under same name. Then he/she realized it, deleted and reposted under alt ID. It was hilarious to witness. I also remember Anon comments and the big and fake Ror rumble.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if he really knew or not but this scenario is not so uncommon. There are tons of people out there misrepresenting themselves on the internet. In my past I too met such a person but it didn't progress as far as in this case.
ReplyDelete