This story has taken on a life of its own. Whether you believe that Manti was truly pranked or he did it for attention makes no difference. The fact that this story has been the top of the news for the past three days is the crazy part. This story has everyone talking about the new fad called “Catfishing”. The name is inspired by the reality show on MTV that shows the first physical encounter between two young people who started a romantic relationship on the Internet. Most of the meetings, end with one person lying about their true identity similar to Lennay Kekua.
As much as I don’t believe that Te’o is completely innocent in the fake profile, I still can’t find a good explanation as to why he would fake a girlfriend. He is one of the top college prospects in the NFL draft, it is not like he can’t get a date in real life. I have heard the idea that he wanted to gain sympathy votes for the Heisman, but wasn’t his grandmother’s death sad enough? If you are looking for sympathy votes, than your performance on the field must not be strong enough to stand on its own.
Now all the buzz is about Katie Couric getting the exclusive first interview with Manti on camera. I thought it should have been Oprah, but it doesn’t really matter. He is going to go on air and say how he was a victim and had no part in the fake profile. It is not going to change anyone’s opinion. If you believe him you will still believe him, if you don’t, you still won’t. I am solely interested in how Te’o would explain not going to this girl’s “funeral” if she was the love of your life. That is the part that does not make me believe him.
This is a strange story that is likely to never be fully explained or understood. For Manti’s stock in the NFL draft to stay the same, I think he needs to stop adding fuel to the fire, get the interview over with, and get back to football. However, if rumors are true about Manti doing this for publicity, then I think it backfired on him and it could cost him a spot on an NFL roster next year.
