Manti Te'o Truly a Hoax?
One of the biggest controversies in sports at the moment is the Manti Te'o girlfriend hoax. Manti Te'o is one of the most dynamic athletes in NCAA football. He was the first defensive player to be considered for the Heisman trophy since Charles Woodson in 1997. The Heisman trophy is the most valuable player award in college football and is often won by the most explosive offensive player in the country. Even though Te'o did not win the Heisman trophy, to be considered for the award as a defensive player is truly remarkable.
The Heisman is a football award however, the character of the young men being considered for this award is taken into consideration. Throughout the year, Te'o used the fact that his grandmother, who he was very close to, and his girlfriend passed away in the same day as motivation to play every game as if it could be his last. Some believe that he used this to win over the sympathy of the people of America and the voters of the Heisman trophy ceremony.
Over recent weeks, news has broken that Te'o's girlfriend never truly existed. This did not sit well with sports fans around the world. Mainly due to the fact that he used this to receive pity from fans. After further investigation, Te'o stated that he was a victim in this situation. He informs the press that the relationship between him and his girlfriend had been strictly an online and telephone based relationship and he had not ever seen her. A question that arises since he is a big time football star with professional aspirations, perhaps his agent paid someone to take the wrap and admit that they were responsible for the hoax in order to keep Te'o's image a positive one.
It is important as an athlete role model to maintain a positive image not only for themselves but also for fans, and young children that look up to him for inspiration. Te'o is representing his family and his entire school with everything that he does. The entire school has been affected negatively by this even if it truly was a hoax. The University of Notre Dame was affected athletically after this when potential recruits cancelled their visits. Also, the amount of coverage this has received has been absolutely astounding. Even if he did lie, is it truly a story to be talked about at this volume?
Te'o will now forever be known as the guy with a fake girlfriend. This is not only a disgrace to his family name but everyone affiliated with the university of Notre Dame. While he is an exceptional football player, his morals and ethics will always be questioned.
I think the jury is still out on whether Te'o was responsible for this hoax. He did admit to lying for about a month when he found out about it (and that's understandable--imagine the horror and embarrassment. People do nutty things when in shock). See my comments for post 1. I'd like to know how he was not a moral person. He engaged in a long-distance relationship (he says). What's immoral about that? On the surface of things, he did not break any of the rules of Notre Dame, did he? If this was just a hoax perpetrated on him, then he is truly a victim.
ReplyDeleteAre you saying you don't believe his story?