The Manti Te'o dead girlfriend story is a hoax (Deadspin)

Dan · Jan 16, 2013, 06:07 PM

Live ND presser now, ESPNews

trevdv · Jan 16, 2013, 06:12 PM

Jack Swarbrick says that on Dec. 26th, Manti received a call from his "dead" girlfriend, and recognized her voice (creepy). Apparently she then explained to Te'o that it was all a hoax. Clearly if this is true, Manti had nothing to do with the elaborate hoax, and is not some kind of a con-man or lier after all. Notre Dame received a final report on the investigation on January 4th, and we're not learning about any of this until now (the 16th).

dansaint · Jan 16, 2013, 06:15 PM

Hello...me not dead.

Digging out of all this pile of crap

trevdv · Jan 16, 2013, 06:17 PM

Jack's answer on whether or not Manti was working behind the scenes with his fake girlfriend: "This was exclusively an online relationship. Have any of you seen the movie 'Catfish?' It is shocking the frequency and similarities between that film and this tale. There is apparently some kind of sport/platform for doing this kind of thing; some that are more versed in the online world than I am are skilled in performing these types of hoaxes." Then went on to say it started back in "2009 or earlier," and that there were "multiple people involved; brothers, cousins, mother, etc."

In my personal opinion, this whole thing is just disturbing and sickening. An online hacker-expert that consumed Manti's world for at least four years, without him knowing it. Was it extortion? Was it just a sick joke? Either way, I'm saddened for Manti and disturbed by this turn of events.

Groundhogday · Jan 16, 2013, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevdv

Jack's answer on whether or not Manti was working behind the scenes with his fake girlfriend: "This was exclusively an online relationship. Have any of you seen the movie 'Catfish?' It is shocking the frequency and similarities between that film and this tale. There is apparently some kind of sport/platform for doing this kind of thing; some that are more versed in the online world than I am are skilled in performing these types of hoaxes." Then went on to say it started back in "2009 or earlier," and that there were "multiple people involved; brothers, cousins, mother, etc."

In my personal opinion, this whole thing is just disturbing and sickening. An online hacker-expert that consumed Manti's world for at least four years, without him knowing it. Was it extortion? Was it just a sick joke? Either way, I'm saddened for Manti and disturbed by this turn of events.

Four years without ever meeting? Without ever checking out her facebook page? Really? Without ever checking to see if she was enrolled at Stanford?

mattcoldagelli · Jan 16, 2013, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevdv

In my personal opinion, this whole thing is just disturbing and sickening. An online hacker-expert that consumed Manti's world for at least four years, without him knowing it. Was it extortion? Was it just a sick joke? Either way, I'm saddened for Manti and disturbed by this turn of events.

Don't forget he lied repeatedly about meeting her in person multiple times, something Swarbrick is now saying is not true.

Groundhogday · Jan 16, 2013, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcoldagelli

Don't forget he lied repeatedly about meeting her in person multiple times, something Swarbrick is now saying is not true.

Yep. So we know Teo was lying, but he now asks that we believe he is telling the truth.

I Hate Lemonier · Jan 16, 2013, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevdv

Jack's answer on whether or not Manti was working behind the scenes with his fake girlfriend: "This was exclusively an online relationship. Have any of you seen the movie 'Catfish?' It is shocking the frequency and similarities between that film and this tale. There is apparently some kind of sport/platform for doing this kind of thing; some that are more versed in the online world than I am are skilled in performing these types of hoaxes." Then went on to say it started back in "2009 or earlier," and that there were "multiple people involved; brothers, cousins, mother, etc."

In my personal opinion, this whole thing is just disturbing and sickening. An online hacker-expert that consumed Manti's world for at least four years, without him knowing it. Was it extortion? Was it just a sick joke? Either way, I'm saddened for Manti and disturbed by this turn of events.

Teo is not the victim here, he is the perpetrator of this fraud.

Kramer116 · Jan 16, 2013, 06:40 PM

Hahahahahaha

Either this is the greatest prank ever played on Manti in history, he is the absolute dumbest human being on earth, or he is clearly involved and is a pathological liar.

This is the story that keeps on giving.

Notre Dame lying to cover their butt and doing nothing to "gather facts" lol that place is such a joke.

IlliniSaluki · Jan 16, 2013, 06:41 PM

This is just f'd up bigtime. The only things I can see his roles are:

1) Complete hoax him and the others did for publicity.
2) He was originally pranked but kept it up for publicity after finding out.
3) He's the most naive and blind man on the planet.

*facepalm* to all of it

ChiTownIllini22 · Jan 16, 2013, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kramer116

Hahahahahaha

Either this is the greatest prank ever played on Manti in history, he is the absolute dumbest human being on earth, or he is clearly involved and is a pathological liar.

This is the story that keeps on giving.

Notre Dame lying to cover their butt and doing nothing to "gather facts" lol that place is such a joke.

Am I a terrible person because I'm enjoying this whole situation?

IlliniSF · Jan 16, 2013, 06:42 PM

A couple reasons someone would makeup an imaginary girlfriend.

1) You are a loser
2) you are gay

Add Heisman trophy candidate to that....

rrhafley · Jan 16, 2013, 06:44 PM

Number one comment on Yahoo Sports regarding this::laugh:

Quote:

Brent Musburger thinks Te'o fake girlfriend is hot

trevdv · Jan 16, 2013, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Yep. So we know Teo was lying, but he now asks that we believe he is telling the truth.

I'm not taking his side or anyone else's, but we don't know for sure that he met her face-to-face. Though it seems impossible that someone would be in a relationship with another for four years and never want to see her in person, Swarbrick said that Manti kept on using the word "met" with him, but Te'o meant chatting with her online. So apparently whenever he said to the media he "met" her, he could've just meant online.

OlivetNaz · Jan 16, 2013, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevdv

Jack's answer on whether or not Manti was working behind the scenes with his fake girlfriend: "This was exclusively an online relationship. Have any of you seen the movie 'Catfish?' It is shocking the frequency and similarities between that film and this tale. There is apparently some kind of sport/platform for doing this kind of thing; some that are more versed in the online world than I am are skilled in performing these types of hoaxes." Then went on to say it started back in "2009 or earlier," and that there were "multiple people involved; brothers, cousins, mother, etc."

In my personal opinion, this whole thing is just disturbing and sickening. An online hacker-expert that consumed Manti's world for at least four years, without him knowing it. Was it extortion? Was it just a sick joke? Either way, I'm saddened for Manti and disturbed by this turn of events.

Have you READ the Deadspin article? There is no possible way that Te'o was NOT involved in the perpetration of this thing. Given the pre-existing relationships of the other people in the story, there's literally just no way that Te'o didn't know.

Now, let's assume I'm wrong. Let's assume that Te'o really DID NOT know. He's just made himself the primary target for every single shady "financial advisor" on the planet - at a bare minimum.

Religious or not - NO ONE goes four years without ever talking in person (voice or skype video, not facebook chat or text or twitter) to a "close" friend. If you combined ALL the naivete on the planet, you still wouldn't have enough to cover even half of what would be needed to be duped to this extent for FOUR years.

Illinimedic · Jan 16, 2013, 06:53 PM

^^i thought Manti himself he and his fake girlfriend met face to face on multiple occasions. I was thinking he referenced a meeting after a Stanford game, in Hawaii, and in south bend..so if she stood him up why did he continue to lie about it?

OlivetNaz · Jan 16, 2013, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevdv

I'm not taking his side or anyone else's, but we don't know for sure that he met her face-to-face. Though it seems impossible that someone would be in a relationship with another for four years and never want to see her in person, Swarbrick said that Manti kept on using the word "met" with him, but Te'o meant chatting with her online. So apparently whenever he said to the media he "met" her, he could've just meant online.

Te'o dug his own grave on this by claiming he "met" her in Hawaii, in Palo Alto, in South Bend. That's a bit more than "meeting" in a twitter conversation.

champaignchris · Jan 16, 2013, 06:58 PM

His father said she met them in Hawaii. Manti himself said they met at a football game, not online.

hermie1985 · Jan 16, 2013, 07:01 PM

I find it disturbing that ND did not call authorities and then claim it is because it is an issue for him and his family. No thought of playing this out in hopes of catching the "perps". Also stopped investigation before seeing where the net footprints led. I don't think they want to know.

My guess is the family will say they just want to put this behind them and move on.

If innocent, this is the chance to step up and shed light on the problem.

I have no idea if this kid is just that gullible or wanted the media looking at him more.

Calilama · Jan 16, 2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinimedic

^^i thought Manti himself he and his fake girlfriend met face to face on multiple occasions. I was thinking he referenced a meeting after a Stanford game, in Hawaii, and in south bend..so if she stood him up why did he continue to lie about it?

It seems maybe the kid was lying to cover up some fact of his personal life....maybe it was more important to have his sexual preference in the public domain...if that's the case then it's really sad though if he is gay the worlds worst forum to express that fact would be the ND football program

My2Cents · Jan 16, 2013, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmore

Has this hit mainstream media yet (ex Espn)?

It was on CNN tonight. It mostly focused on Manti saying he was tricked and Cooper and the Deadspin writer saying things didn't add up without making explicit accusations. Deadspin mentioned conflicts in news outlets, but the editorial mistakes weren't stressed.

Groundhogday · Jan 16, 2013, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevdv

I'm not taking his side or anyone else's, but we don't know for sure that he met her face-to-face. Though it seems impossible that someone would be in a relationship with another for four years and never want to see her in person, Swarbrick said that Manti kept on using the word "met" with him, but Te'o meant chatting with her online. So apparently whenever he said to the media he "met" her, he could've just meant online.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OlivetNaz

Te'o dug his own grave on this by claiming he "met" her in Hawaii, in Palo Alto, in South Bend. That's a bit more than "meeting" in a twitter conversation.

Maybe Te'o sent her a text when he was Palo Alto and she replied with a text when she was in South Bend.:laugh:

DaytonIllini · Jan 16, 2013, 07:25 PM

What kind of person has the 'love of their life' die and doesn't go to pay respects to her family after she dies? What kind of sick freak never visits with the love of his life while she is failing in the hospital for months on end. I mean I know football is REALLY important but come on.

Thinking about the above he might be a sicker freak if this was a hoax perpetrated on him than if it was something that he perpetrated.

trevdv · Jan 16, 2013, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OlivetNaz

Te'o dug his own grave on this by claiming he "met" her in Hawaii, in Palo Alto, in South Bend. That's a bit more than "meeting" in a twitter conversation.

Swarbrick said that they intended to meet in Hawaii, but she never showed up.

trevdv · Jan 16, 2013, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Maybe Te'o sent her a text when he was Palo Alto and she replied with a text when she was in South Bend.:laugh:

:laugh: That will probably be his next excuse.

Jan 16, 2013, 06:12 PM	#77
trevdv Location: Champaign Posts: 2,572	Jack Swarbrick says that on Dec. 26th, Manti received a call from his "dead" girlfriend, and recognized her voice (creepy). Apparently she then explained to Te'o that it was all a hoax. Clearly if this is true, Manti had nothing to do with the elaborate hoax, and is not some kind of a con-man or lier after all. Notre Dame received a final report on the investigation on January 4th, and we're not learning about any of this until now (the 16th). __________________ That's a winner! http://www.youtube.com/user/97illinifan

Jan 16, 2013, 06:15 PM	#78
dansaint Location: Middletown, IL Posts: 851	Hello...me not dead. Digging out of all this pile of crap __________________ YOUR 2012 ILLINOIS LOYALTY FANTASY FOOTBALL CHAMPION!!!!!!

Jan 16, 2013, 06:17 PM	#79
trevdv Location: Champaign Posts: 2,572	Jack's answer on whether or not Manti was working behind the scenes with his fake girlfriend: "This was exclusively an online relationship. Have any of you seen the movie 'Catfish?' It is shocking the frequency and similarities between that film and this tale. There is apparently some kind of sport/platform for doing this kind of thing; some that are more versed in the online world than I am are skilled in performing these types of hoaxes." Then went on to say it started back in "2009 or earlier," and that there were "multiple people involved; brothers, cousins, mother, etc." In my personal opinion, this whole thing is just disturbing and sickening. An online hacker-expert that consumed Manti's world for at least four years, without him knowing it. Was it extortion? Was it just a sick joke? Either way, I'm saddened for Manti and disturbed by this turn of events. __________________ That's a winner! http://www.youtube.com/user/97illinifan Last edited by trevdv; Jan 16, 2013 at 06:25 PM. Reason: Expanded on information given

Jan 16, 2013, 06:40 PM	#84
Kramer116 Location: Chicago Posts: 9,606	Hahahahahaha Either this is the greatest prank ever played on Manti in history, he is the absolute dumbest human being on earth, or he is clearly involved and is a pathological liar. This is the story that keeps on giving. Notre Dame lying to cover their butt and doing nothing to "gather facts" lol that place is such a joke. __________________ @TomCrean: I am doing great. I have been thinking about you alot since last weekend. A whole lot. How are you doing?

Jan 16, 2013, 07:25 PM	#98
DaytonIllini Posts: 14,903	What kind of person has the 'love of their life' die and doesn't go to pay respects to her family after she dies? What kind of sick freak never visits with the love of his life while she is failing in the hospital for months on end. I mean I know football is REALLY important but come on. Thinking about the above he might be a sicker freak if this was a hoax perpetrated on him than if it was something that he perpetrated. __________________ "To forbid us anything is to make us have a mind for it." Michel Eyquem de Montaigne

Jan 16, 2013, 06:07 PM	#76
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 25,894	Live ND presser now, ESPNews

Jan 16, 2013, 06:41 PM	#85
IlliniSaluki Location: IL metro east burbs of St. Louis Posts: 119	This is just f'd up bigtime. The only things I can see his roles are: 1) Complete hoax him and the others did for publicity. 2) He was originally pranked but kept it up for publicity after finding out. 3) He's the most naive and blind man on the planet. facepalm to all of it

Jan 16, 2013, 06:42 PM	#87
IlliniSF Posts: 66	A couple reasons someone would makeup an imaginary girlfriend. 1) You are a loser 2) you are gay Add Heisman trophy candidate to that....

Jan 16, 2013, 06:53 PM	#91
Illinimedic Location: Springfield, Illinois Posts: 61	^^i thought Manti himself he and his fake girlfriend met face to face on multiple occasions. I was thinking he referenced a meeting after a Stanford game, in Hawaii, and in south bend..so if she stood him up why did he continue to lie about it?

Jan 16, 2013, 06:58 PM	#93
champaignchris Posts: 170	His father said she met them in Hawaii. Manti himself said they met at a football game, not online.

Jan 16, 2013, 07:01 PM	#94
hermie1985 Posts: 938	I find it disturbing that ND did not call authorities and then claim it is because it is an issue for him and his family. No thought of playing this out in hopes of catching the "perps". Also stopped investigation before seeing where the net footprints led. I don't think they want to know. My guess is the family will say they just want to put this behind them and move on. If innocent, this is the chance to step up and shed light on the problem. I have no idea if this kid is just that gullible or wanted the media looking at him more.