Lennay Kekua, A Hoax!

[Domina Nostra]

I'll bet every vbuck I have against every vbuck you have that he is drafted in the first round.

There is no way that the Ravens or the Patriots let him slide past them. Those are the teams I follow in the draft, and I believe they are an absolute backstop for him.

 

[Grahambo]

There is no way that the Ravens or the Patriots let him slide past them. Those are the teams I follow in the draft, and I believe they are an absolute backstop for him.

Giants will grab him if he's there at 19. They need a MLB bad.

 

[NDohio]

Signed off at around 5:30 last evening and had to step away from this story for awhile.

Any word on Manti speaking yet?

 

[IrishinTN]

Giants will grab him if he's there at 19. They need a MLB bad.

Steelers need a good young one, too.

 

[Wizzle32]

Giants will grab him if he's there at 19. They need a MLB bad.

I think the steelers scoop him up at pick number 17. They rarely pass on linebackers. They also need a MLB next to Timmons even though I do like what i heard about Spence. I also believe the Giants could go after a DE. Depends on who is best player available for them at those key positions in need.

 

[Domina Nostra]

This is from a hard-hitting ESPN undercover expose, quoting an anonymous—but likely real--teammate:

"The teammate portrayed the move as part of the All-American's personality, telling ESPN that Te'o liked attention so much that he would sometimes point himself out to friends when he was on television."

I love this. Only a d1 football player would try so hard to be cool that he would pretend not to be excited "sometimes" about being on national TV. It reminds me of the "3 keys to coolness" advice from 21 Jumpstreet:

1) don't try hard at anything.
2) make fun of people who do try.
3) be handsome.
4) if anyone steps you on the first day of school, you punch them directly in the face.
5) drive a kick-*** car.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I have followed a bit of this thread and have a few organized thoughts:

This thread capitalizes on the drama of an internal conflict with the "bad or dark side" of each of us. We want to believe in the worst in others. So people will launch verbal spears, to make themselves feel better, that are just pure nastiness. The second wave of this pattern is all of us recognizing this in the media, and training all of our "self-righteous indignation toward them." From there, the ripple effect continues outward. There is very little good, other than certain recognitions that can be made from this whole episode.

It doesn't matter if you use the word(s) conflation, or gossip, or the" how now brown cow effect". Almost everything to be said about this is spiteful, mean, and venomous. We can see it from other non ND sports fans, from the media, and even on this site, in this thread. I mean some of the stupid a$$, illogical leaps of stupidity I have seen, I find amazing. I guess it is because this situation violates so much of what people value in their existence . . . So, the reason I will have a ton of respect, offer my friendship forever, and call JimmyMac one of the best men I have ever met is because he more than almost anybody, has not inserted his own dysfunctional needs into the story, has not engaged in conjecture, only responding in a truthful manner. And his life probably puts him more in the middle than almost any other poster I have seen here. Keep it up Jimmy! I want to buy you a beer for our birthdays! Jack and Manti owe you a six-pack (at least) each!

LDS: People talk about the difference between the ideal and the actual with a sexually repressed church like Roman Catholicism, buy highlighting the "Madonna-Whore Complex." I recognize this is more of that which I described at the beginning of this post. But, I have known a fairly strong LDS community near where I live, particularly among medical residents, and I can think of a couple who were anything but sexually repressed in their private lives. In fact, these guys had more of a separation between their casual affairs that there private lives that most I knew. One pointed to the fact that his grandfather had seven wives, and that was how it was supposed to be, anyhow. So, the whole point of this is that idealized stereotypes have nothing to do with real life, or an incident like this.

Earlier, I told a story about how I felt myself getting sucked into an obviously fraudulent story, and had to a minor degree some of the emotional baggage of a "relationship" to deal with afterward. The point was I spotted this right away. I was 50+. When I was Manti's age I was busting prostitutes at Lindbergh Field who were targeting basic training graduates headed home for leave, and rolling them for their basic pay, and travel expenses. For goodness sake, I have built a healthy skepticism, and realize I am still venerable, and people cannot understand how someone like this could be gotten too? It is all about future earnings.

I brought up the "Pigeon Drop" for a reason. People are avaricious greedy mutherfockers. The best way to set a mark is to tempt him into doing something he wouldn't otherwise do, then you got him hooked for life. Hooked for life means lots of money (statistically speaking) from Manti.

That is why I would try to get the FBI involved, a hint of fraud across the wire, and they could be there. And they are good. I have seen it in two cases. They need to get hold of the kid RT, and sit on him. Hard. Then you will get the story, one way or another.

One final thing: These are just people(everyone involved including Manti) are just humans, everyone has got their problems, give everyone a break.

 

[Grahambo]

I think the steelers scoop him up at pick number 17. They rarely pass on linebackers. They also need a MLB next to Timmons even though I do like what i heard about Spence. I also believe the Giants could go after a DE. Depends on who is best player available for them at those key positions in need.

Eifert is a viable option but they need D help more. Osi won't return so they could use a DE although they could just move Kiwi back to DE if they draft an LB. History suggests they go D in the 1st round unless someone unexpectedly drops.

 

[BGIF]

Signed off at around 5:30 last evening and had to step away from this story for awhile.

Any word on Manti speaking yet?

Te'o's agent, Tom Condon, said the athlete had no plans to make any public statements Thursday in Bradenton, Fla., where he has been training with other NFL hopefuls at the IMG Academy

CBSSports.com wire reports
Jan. 17, 2013 6:40 PM ET

 

[BGIF]

Giants will grab him if he's there at 19. They need a MLB bad.

I believe I heard one of the NFL guys saying if he drops it won't be past 19.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Is this story just going to go away?

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Former South Carolina baseball pitcher Matt Roth tells how he was catfish'd.

michaelroth29 | The Next Chapter…

 

[BGIF]

Is this story just going to go away?

Does ESPN crap On The Air?

 

[NDBoiler]

Former South Carolina baseball pitcher Matt Roth tells how he was catfish'd.

michaelroth29 | The Next Chapter…

Interesting read. I imagine that the people who perpetrate these schemes must have some deep emotional or psychological issues. This is truly one area where modern technology works against us in a negative way. A good teachable moment for kids though.

 

[wizards8507]

Nev Schulman of "Catfish" says that he's been doing his own investigation into this and says it's "much bigger" than just Manti. Apparently there are multiple victims involved specifically in the Lennay hoax so hopefully some of that starts to come forward.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Does ESPN crap On The Air?

Thanks for the worthless response.

It was a serious question. If Manti doesn't comment, the only thing left to do is find those responsible and see if they talk right? Other than that what more is there to report? I think the less that is said at this point, the better for ND and Manti.

 

[ND NYC]

Manti making HUGE mistake not dicussing this.

this Condon has NO CLUE.

he HAS to go before the cameras on this and explain his side.

no surrogates, family members etc.

he's already a day late and every day that goes by without him ON CAMERA is another vote in the court of public opinion against him.

focus on the wrongdoers and Ronnie Tuisasopo keep referring to him, pooka etc. turn him into the SCUMBAG he is for all to see and cop only to telling white lies due to embarassment of online nature of the relationship. "to me it was real, we talked, communicate dall the time etc"

this actually isnt that hard

 

[chicago51]

I actually think the story is going to go away at some point in the not too distance future.

An aside: How the heck did the Giants not make the playoffs? I sitll think when they are at their best they are the best team in the NFL.

 

[NDohio]

CBSSports.com wire reports
Jan. 17, 2013 6:40 PM ET

It reminds of that time(it seems so long ago) that we were all screaming for either BK or JS to comment on the interviewing for the Eagles job. The parties let the story play out and all was good.

I don't think this is the same situation though. My biggest concern is for Manti. I hope his advisers know what they are doing.

 

[AFisch86]

Listen: Alema Te’o, Uncle of Manti Te’o

Not sure if this was shared....Manti's uncle on meeting alleged hoaxer.

 

[BGIF]

Thanks for the worthless response.

It was a serious question. If Manti doesn't comment, the only thing left to do is find those responsible and see if they talk right? Other than that what more is there to report? I think the less that is said at this point, the better for ND and Manti.

The respones was in line with the question. Was it too much trouble for you to read all of two posts before yours?

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/leprechaun-lounge/84692-lennay-kekua-hoax.html#post887267

Te'o's agent, Tom Condon, said the athlete had no plans to make any public statements Thursday in Bradenton, Fla., where he has been training with other NFL hopefuls at the IMG Academy

CBSSports.com wire reports

Jan. 17, 2013 6:40 PM ET

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Manti making HUGE mistake not dicussing this.

this Condon has NO CLUE.

he HAS to go before the cameras on this and explain his side.

no surrogates, family members etc.

he's already a day late and every day that goes by without him ON CAMERA is another vote in the court of public opinion against him.

focus on the wrongdoers and Ronnie Tuisasopo keep referring to him, pooka etc. turn him into the SCUMBAG he is for all to see and cop only to telling white lies due to embarassment of online nature of the relationship. "to me it was real, we talked, communicate dall the time etc"

this actually isnt that hard

This. 100%

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Manti making HUGE mistake not dicussing this.

this Condon has NO CLUE.

he HAS to go before the cameras on this and explain his side.

no surrogates, family members etc.

he's already a day late and every day that goes by without him ON CAMERA is another vote in the court of public opinion against him.

focus on the wrongdoers and Ronnie Tuisasopo keep referring to him, pooka etc. turn him into the SCUMBAG he is for all to see and cop only to telling white lies due to embarassment of online nature of the relationship. "to me it was real, we talked, communicate dall the time etc"

this actually isnt that hard

Why? The court of public opinion will just move on to the next thing. Make this go away by not talking about it anymore. People have their opinion already and little will change it IMO.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Former South Carolina baseball pitcher Matt Roth tells how he was catfish'd.

michaelroth29 | The Next Chapter…

I watched Catfish last night. It's amazing how drawn in people get. I was fascinated. It literally could happen to anyone. All of these talking heads (mostly those who are older) may never understand it. Unfortunately, they're using their ignorance, naivety, and doubt to crucify Manti. It really bothers me how people question his frame of mind when developing this relationship online. It happens daily, to all sorts of people! I've been sucked in numerous times to online conversations with people I didn't know. It never got to the point of anything creepy. But I can definitely see how easy it is become almost obsessed with these people.

 

[ThePiombino]

Nev Schulman of "Catfish" says that he's been doing his own investigation into this and says it's "much bigger" than just Manti. Apparently there are multiple victims involved specifically in the Lennay hoax so hopefully some of that starts to come forward.

Well, if ESPN or any other major media outlet isn't gonna do it, why the hell not- go Nev! I saw he reached out to Te'o yesterday or the days before...ironically through Twitter. Not sure that would be the best way to get the man's ear these days...

 

[wallym]

Manti making HUGE mistake not dicussing this.

this Condon has NO CLUE.

he HAS to go before the cameras on this and explain his side.

no surrogates, family members etc.

he's already a day late and every day that goes by without him ON CAMERA is another vote in the court of public opinion against him.

focus on the wrongdoers and Ronnie Tuisasopo keep referring to him, pooka etc. turn him into the SCUMBAG he is for all to see and cop only to telling white lies due to embarassment of online nature of the relationship. "to me it was real, we talked, communicate dall the time etc"

this actually isnt that hard

There is probably a reason for Manti not saying anything yet. There may be an actual criminal investigation into this, and he doesn't want to jeopardize the investigation and may be receiving guidance to say nothing. Plus, if ND and Swarbrick came out and supported him like they did, then they know a lot more than us and are confident in what's going to happen.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Interesting read. I imagine that the people who perpetrate these schemes must have some deep emotional or psychological issues. This is truly one area where modern technology works against us in a negative way. A good teachable moment for kids though.

This. I'm questioning why news outlets aren't taking a different angle on this story. Rather than crush Manti, why not set up a version of "To Catch a Predator" and build on what Nev is already doing with Catfish on MTV.

I'm also really surprised that the media isn't pressing RT more. This guy needs to make a statement as much as Manti does. Some say with each passing day that Manti doesn't speak, the more guilty he looks. What about the reverse?! Why aren't people saying that with each passing day that RT doesn't speak, HE looks more and more guilty?!

 

[pumpdog20]

Now minor league baseball is getting in on making fun of Manti:

Florence Freedom ballclub to have Manti Te'o Girlfriend Bobblehead Day - ESPN

Insane.

 

[chicago51]

Sometimes we forget these guys are still kids in many ways.

 

[BGIF]

Manti Te'o's 'Catfish' story is a common one

Erik Brady and Rachel George, USA TODAY Sports9:46p.m. EST January 17, 2013

...

In the Catfish movie, Nev Schulman meets a woman online named Megan and falls in love. Spoiler alert: He later learns he's been scammed. Megan is not a 19-year-old woman but a married, middle-aged woman.

Now Schulman is co-host of Catfish: The TV Show. On one episode, a woman finds out her online boyfriend is really another woman, echoing the classic New Yorker cartoon of a hound tapping on a computer who says, "On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog."

...

"My gut feeling … is that he got involved in this unknowingly," Schulman told USA TODAY Sports, "and that his relationship with Lennay was organic and legitimate but that perhaps he was aware of the fact that his relationship could be somewhat false and was a little bit hesitant to get into the details of it and even possibly at first really call this person a girlfriend. But when the story sort of turned into what it is, he may have become aware of certain things."

...

John Heisler, Notre Dame's senior associate athletics director for media relations, received four e-mails Thursday from men who said they had been victims of Catfish-style online hoaxes. All gave long and detailed accounts of the alleged scams. (Wow 3 other guys besides Killz!)

Max Joseph, co-host of the Catfish TV show said he and Schulman have had similar experiences.

"This is not an isolated phenomenon," Joseph told USA TODAY Sports. "It happens all the time all over the country and in fact all over the world. When the film came out, Nev pretty much believed this was a once-in-a-blue-moon kind of event. Once it came out, he started receiving thousands and thousands of e-mails from people who said they believed the same thing was happening to them, is happening to them, and that they were kind of too embarrassed to tell anyone about it until they saw his story.

"We both receive hundreds and hundreds of e-mails a week from people desperate to find out if this person they're talking to is real or not and whether or not we can help them. So this is not at all a new phenomenon. It's been going on for a while, and I think it just hit the tipping point."

...

"Whatever the outcome of this case is, it sounds like, without people knowing it, he was a very vulnerable guy," said New York-based parenting psychologist Susan Bartell. "If it happened, if it was real in terms of him not being a part of it, then you feel sorry for him that he was scammed. If he created the whole thing, you have to feel sorry for him that he needed to do that.

"Either way it sounds like he's a confused vulnerable guy. Being a football player and being big doesn't mean you don't have emotional vulnerabilities."

Te'o's teammates reacted with disbelief when they heard about the hoax, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who did not want to be named because he was not authorized to speak. He thinks most of Notre Dame's football players, if not all, did not know Te'o's girlfriend was fictional until Wednesday.

Does this person believe Te'o's account that he was duped?

"I do believe him," that person told USA TODAY Sports. "He's naïve. I've heard his answers. I believe he's guilty of being naïve and of embellishing to hide his embarrassment over a girlfriend he had never met."

...

Pierre Khoury, founder of a private investigative firm not involved in the case, told USA TODAY Sports, "If this really happened the way (Te'o) reported it, it's a crime and he's a victim."

...

The National Consumers League, a non-profit organization that collects data on consumer fraud, ranked "friendship & sweetheart swindles" as the seventh most frequent scam of 2011 with 1.4% of the total data collected.

John Breyault, director of the NCL's fraud center, said the feelings Te'o expressed in his statement on Wednesday are characteristic of those victimized by this type of fraud.

"It's embarrassed. It's ashamed," he said. "I think that's what most victims feel when they found out they've been strung along and they think they're in love with somebody."

...