Lennay Kekua, A Hoax!

[Jebediah Springfield]

That Catfish sh#t is sounding more and more likely...

 

[tussin]

I'm just embarrassed by the whole situation. My heart tells me there's nothing to be embarrassed about but for the first time in my life I have nothing to say in response to all my ND hater friends. My mind is still blown, I still don't know what's going on and I really hope this doesn't hurt the University in the long run.

Haven't honestly prayed in a long while. I think it's time.

And just imagine how Manti feels!!!!


Ahhhh the tortured life of an ND fan. Two steps forward, three steps back. But hey, the Red Sox finally won in 04, we will too someday.

 

[Kak7304]

Here is my un-expert take on what COULD have happened. I think it sounds very plausible.
About the meeting thing at Stanford, I think this is what happened and it started it all. That girl (in the picture from a few pages back) walked up to manti and told him her name was kekua, she then handed manti her number. They maybe conversed a little bit and they went their seperate ways. He then began to text and call her and the rest of the story is what we know as far as the leukimia and all those details. So yes he actually had face to face contact with her in the very beginning and when he skyped that was the girl. I may be all wrong about this but it sounds like a plausible thing to me.

I believe Manti has already admitted the relationship was exclusively online and on the phone.

 

[JughedJones]

Nowhere, it's just what sports bloggers are throwing around as a possible explanation.

And a lot of people in this very thread as well.

Veteran IE posters at that.

Disconcerting to say the least.

We've seen a couple of DEFCON 2 moments at IE in the past couple weeks, and posters that have been around for a long time have proceeded to FREAK THE **** OUT!!!!!@@@!!!

We'll see. Manti has done nothing but be a model Notre Dame guy for his entire tenure. If he says he got duped, Jack says Manti got duped, and Brian Kelly came back knowing that this was all going to surface... I feel good about trusting him.

 

[GreenSox04]

I tap. cant wait to sift through pages upon pages by the time I wake up tomorrow

Goodnight and good riddance to this bizarre day.

blue and gold through and through

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Yeah Im too lazy to go back to the beginning, but I was on when it first broke and someone brought it the gay thing. I msged a poster (can't remember and too lazy to look) and asked where it came from, but never got a msg back. To get that he is gay from this event is a huuuuuge stretch that doesn't make sense.

 

[gkautz10]

I believe Manti has already admitted the relationship was exclusively online and on the phone.

But people are saying that he originally said he met her and got her number after a Stanford game. That explains how it happened. I know I am in the minority here but I truly don't think Manti had any involvement in this hoax. The arguments are to compelling to me. I may be so far wrong and just biased because of ND. I know Swarbrick would not have come out and put his career on the line like he did tonight if there was the slightest chance this was all true. If it is true that Manti had involvement I will lose all respect for him and Swarbrick will be out of a job forever. I am not ashamed of the university in any way, I think they went through all the proper protocol and went about this the right way. After all this was a personal matter for Manti he chose to clue the school in about it.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

But people are saying that he originally said he met her and got her number after a Stanford game. That explains how it happened. I know I am in the minority here but I truly don't think Manti had any involvement in this hoax. The arguments are to compelling to me. I may be so far wrong and just biased because of ND. I know Swarbrick would not have come out and put his career on the line like he did tonight if there was the slightest chance this was all true. If it is true that Manti had involvement I will lose all respect for him and Swarbrick will be out of a job forever. I am not ashamed of the university in any way, I think they went through all the proper protocol and went about this the right way. After all this was a personal matter for Manti he chose to clue the school in about it.

At this point it seems he lied about that after he passed the point of no return.

 

[tussin]

And a lot of people in this very thread as well.

Veteran IE posters at that.

Disconcerting to say the least.

We've seen a couple of DEFCON 2 moments at IE in the past couple weeks, and posters that have been around for a long time have proceeded to FREAK THE **** OUT!!!!!@@@!!!

We'll see. Manti has done nothing but be a model Notre Dame guy for his entire tenure. If he says he got duped, Jack says Manti got duped, and Brian Kelly came back knowing that this was all going to surface... I feel good about trusting him.

Well it is possible. Probable? No. But seriously, this is the zaniest story I've ever heard. Nothing would surprise me at this point.

The only thing I don't understand is why everyone is freaking out. This isn't a university issue, this stuff happens all the time (no joke) and its Te'o's fight. This isn't going to hurt ND. In my opinion, it's more of a human interest/tragedy story than anything.

 

[gkautz10]

At this point it seems he lied about that after he passed the point of no return.

Agreed, I think he lied about alot of the finer details but not because he was involved. I think that was out of embarassment. Like Swarbrick said he used a very poor verb when he used "met".

 

[JughedJones]

Well it is possible. Probable? No. But seriously, this is the zaniest story I've ever heard. Nothing would surprise me at this point.

The only thing I don't understand is why everyone is freaking out. This isn't a university issue, this stuff happens all the time (no joke) and its Te'o's fight. This isn't going to hurt ND. In my opinion, it's more of a human interest/tragedy story than anything.

What is possible?

That he's gay?

Well yeah, it is possible that anyone you know is gay. Lots of people are and we don't know it.

But to jump to that conclusion because a guy got duped is weird, and like I said, an interesting sociological study.

 

[STLcardz-NDirish]

Has anyone thought of a situation where manti may not be right in the heAd. Like what if this is all part of a deceptive mental disorder he has. That would explain his parents being in on it.

 

[We_Are_ND]

I can't believe this is happening, like....any of it. No matter if this comes out as a completely disgusting, cruel hoax, it will never be forgotten. I feel so so so bad for Manti if this is the case. (Which I truly believe)

It's just so unreal and the most bizarre thing I have ever witnessed being an ND fan or sports fan in general.

 

[phgreek]

I think this will be forgotten...in time...

I think if Ray Lewis can get beyond his travails, Manti will be just fine...seriously what did he do?

The thing that folks need to understand.... LDS folks are beyond tough on pre-marital sex... This issue is stressed to the nth degree.

Knowing the culture, I can totally see where a devout LDS kid would love the attention of a lovely lady that can never threaten his faith.

Rather he meant for it to work that way, or just got there because it ...worked...he got there.

Is it so hard to see where he'd want to avoid being with her in equal measure w/ wanting to see her...and the excuses you and I would question became a relief to him.

Given the kid's conduct to date...everyone needs to back up...stop being so effing cynical...stop projecting your understanding of relationship conduct... and stop being judgemental, and lets see how he characterizes this.

and BTW...whole host of reporters just made my list of "punch on site".

 

[We_Are_ND]

I think this will be forgotten...in time...

I think if Ray Lewis can get beyond his travails, Manti will be just fine...seriously what did he do?

The thing that folks need to understand.... LDS folks are beyond tough on pre-marital sex... This issue is stressed to the nth degree.

Knowing the culture, I can totally see where a devout LDS kid would love the attention of a lovely lady that can never threaten his faith.

Rather he meant for it to work that way, or just got there because it ...worked...he got there.

Is it so hard to see where he'd want to avoid being with her in equal measure w/ wanting to see her...and the excuses you and I would question became a relief to him.

Given the kid's conduct to date...everyone needs to back up...stop being so effing cynical...stop projecting your understanding of relationship conduct... and stop being judgemental, and lets see how he characterizes this.

and BTW...whole host of reporters just made my list of "punch on site".

*ucking well said man. Journalism has officially hit the *hits and I have since deactivated my facebook (long overdue) and will refuse to talk to any moron at work with his obvious well though out Manti jokes.

 

[Bubba]

I haven't read this whole thread, but this is getting real crazy. Check out the twitter page of @justinrmegahan. He has uncovered tweets from @jayRahz that show his involvement in the scam. Something about contacting an MTV show "Catfish."

Sean Gentille‏@seangentille
OK. So the "JayRahz" account that @justinmegahan found knows Tuiasosopo. Furthermore, he follows "Bamm9075." (1/2)
Sean Gentille‏@seangentille
And "BAMM90745," based on his timeline, says that beyond a shadow of a doubt, Tuiasosopo catfished Te'o, and that Te'o knew nothing. (2/2)

A couple links...
Twitter profile for catfishhhhhhhh - Topsy
https://twitter.com/jayRahz/status/276071308322820096
https://twitter.com/jayRahz/status/276073152432447488
https://twitter.com/jayRahz/status/288495738856558594
https://twitter.com/jayRahz/status/278973792544505858

 

[Bubba]

HerLoyalSons has done a great job including all of this info...

Hook, Line, and Sinker — Manti Te’o Reeled into Hoax | Her Loyal Sons

 

[JughedJones]

All mainstream outlets are absolutely killing Manti and ND right now.

Killing them.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

All mainstream outlets are absolutely killing Manti and ND right now.

Killing them.

As used to this as we are, it still is such an annoying ordeal each and every time. I was just ready to start watching TV again after the debacle in Miami, and then this happens.....

 

[NDohio]

Well, at least the Lance Armstrong story won't be on talk radio today.

I really feel badly for Manti. He does seem like an innocent victim in this and the story just grew beyond his control. I really hope he can put this behind him and become a great NFL player.

As for ND, it's just another reason for haters to hate and us fans to rise up in support. ND is bigger than this story and we will be fine.

I hate the off-season ......

 

[Bogtrotter07]

As used to this as we are, it still is such an annoying ordeal each and every time. I was just ready to start watching TV again after the debacle in Miami, and then this happens.....

Last night I posted one post, # 887. People react to the incredulity of this story because they don't understand it. No matter what they say, what they are really doing is lashing out in fear at their own stupidity. To quote one of my own favorites a teacher and storyteller; "Let he who has no sin, cast the first stone!"

 

[dublinirish]

just finished reading all 36 pages of this thread as i only heard the breaking news this morning when i woke up here Ireland..its just a horrible, horrible mess. Why cant being a ND fan be so much easier???

 

[BurningRiver]

This is how I see it:

Manti was duped. He met a girl online, thought he had a connection, they became friends, and he fell in love with her. BUT he was embarrassed of the fact that he had met his famous girlfriend online, so he lied a little bit about the small details to the press and his teammates, trying to embellish their relationship. Then, when she "died," and the media absolutely took off with the story, Te'o had nowhere to go but to go along with the little white lies he had told before her death. What was he going to say when all these media outlets were asking how he felt? "Oh, yeah, it wasn't a huge deal we just kept in touch online I had never even met her in person." I think that the media took off with it, he freaked out, and just had to go along with it because he was afraid to admit that A) The famous relationship was actually not all it was cracked up to be and B) That he lied.

So I think that could be why there are inconsistencies in the timeline, because Manti was telling little white lies about his relationship with her that didn't really completely match up chronologically, and as the story grew it became more and more difficult to keep that imaginary timeline together. Now, I guess Manti would be guilty of embellishing the story a little bit, but if this is true then I don't think it would be nearly, NEARLY the PR nightmare it would be in any other scenario.

Just my $.02

 

[dublinirish]

whichever ways it works out no emdorsements deals are going to be coming Manti's way now..companies wont touch him with a 10 ft pole..he will probably loose hundreds of thousands of dollars because of all of this..very sad for him either way

 

[NCDomer]

I feel bad for the guy. Odd relationship. It blew up in his face in disastrous fashion. I'm just glad no Nigerian princes "met" him.

 

[dublinirish]

Jaylon Smith = great kid. Always love his loyalty to all things ND

@JaeeSmiff9ENT I'm with Mant'i all the way >>>>>

 

[IrishLax]

All mainstream outlets are absolutely killing Manti and ND right now.

Killing them.

This should be expected. Everyone says "how was Manti so stupid to get duped?"

Well, how were ALL major media outlets so stupid to get duped? How did Stanford not go "hmmm, we don't have a dead student..."? Hoe did not a single entity look for a funeral, obituary, etc.? I mean these guys are supposed to be in the business of research and journalistic integrity and not one besides freaking Deadspin did their job.

It's embarrassing to the media outlets as well as how they reported on this for months upon months and as such they will bury him for it. Can't say I blame them too much.

 

[clashmore_mike]

This should be expected. Everyone says "how was Manti so stupid to get duped?"

Well, how were ALL major media outlets so stupid to get duped? How did Stanford not go "hmmm, we don't have a dead student..."? Hoe did not a single entity look for a funeral, obituary, etc.? I mean these guys are supposed to be in the business of research and journalistic integrity and not one besides freaking Deadspin did their job.

Gene Wojidfgfggbfgski (sp) said he did try to find an obituary or story on her death but couldn't. Said he just thought the family wanted privacy.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

All mainstream outlets are absolutely killing Manti and ND right now.

Killing them.

Classic case of the media following their own agenda to keep the public interest and ratings up. Turn a small story into something huge by building it up, only to tear it all back down at the earliest sign of instability.

Sports Illustrated, Jim Rome, Gene Wo (not even going to try and spell is name), etc all dove head first into this story. They built it up. Did Manit embellish the facts a little? Maybe. But the point of this post is that the media made this story as big as it was by talking about it non-stop and going out of their way to make The Story of the year. Now that the truth is trickling out, like LAX said, not one of them have the nerve to admit they all fell for it too. It's better ratings and a better story to portray this as another HUGE letdown involving Notre Dame. It's sickening. I seriously hate the media.

 

[clashmore_mike]

Pat Forde just tweeted:

Was told late last night by an ND source that Manti Te'o is expected to do a one-on-one interview today with a single TV reporter.