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	{{~~Infobox~~ ~~college~~ football player		{{Short description\|American football player (born 1991)}}
			{{Use American English\|date=August 2024}}
	\|name=Manti Te'o
			{{Use mdy dates\|date=March 2024}}
	\|school=Notre Dame Fighting Irish
			{{Infobox NFL biography
	\|image=Mantiteo2010.jpg
			\| name = Manti Te'o
	\|image_size=200px
			\| image = Manti Te'o.JPG
	\|caption=Manti Te'o during 2010 game against ].
			\| alt =
	\|currentnumber=5
			\| caption = Te'o with the ] in 2016
	\|currentposition=]
			\| current_team =
	\|class=Senior
			\| number = 50, 51, 57
	\|major=Graphic Design
			\| position = ]
	\|birth_date={{birth date and age\|1991\|01\|26}}
			\| birth_date = {{Birth date and age\|1991\|1\|26\|mf=y}}
	\|birth_place=]
			\| birth_place = ], U.S.
	\|heightft=6
			\| death_date =
	\|heightin=2
			\| death_place =
	\|weight=255
			\| height_ft = 6
	\|highlights=<nowiki></nowiki>
			\| height_in = 1
	*2012 Heisman Trophy Runner-Up
			\| weight_lbs = 241
	*2012 ]
			\| high_school = ] (])
	*2012 ]
			\| college = ] (2009–2012)
	*2012 ]
			\| draftyear = 2013
	*2012 ]
			\| draftround = 2
	*2012 ]
			\| draftpick = 38
	*2012 ]
			\| pastteams =
	*2012 ]
			* ] ({{NFL Year\|2013\|2016}})
	*2012 ]<ref>http://www.arasportsmanshipaward.com/</ref>
			* ] ({{NFL Year\|2017\|2019}})
	*2012 Consensus First Team All-American
			* ] ({{NFL Year\|2020}})
	*2012 First Team Academic All-American ('']'')
			\| status =
	*2011 ] Defensive Player of the Year
			\| highlights =
	*2011 Second Team All-American ('']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'')
			* ] (2012)
	*2011 Second Team Academic All-American ('']'')
			* ] (2012)
	*2010 Second Team All-American ('']'')
			* ] (2012)
	*2009 Freshman All-American ('']'')
			* ] (2012)
	*2009 Second Team Freshman All-American ('']'')
			* ] (2012)
			* ] (college) (2012)
			* ] (2012)
			* ] (])
			* Second-team ] (])
			\| statlabel1 = ]
			\| statvalue1 = 307
			\| statlabel2 = ]
			\| statvalue2 = 1.5
			\| statlabel3 = ]
			\| statvalue3 = 1
			\| statlabel4 = ]
			\| statvalue4 = 1
			\| statlabel5 = ]s
			\| statvalue5 = 2
			\| pfr = TeoxMa00
			}}

			'''Manti Malietau Louis Te'o'''{{efn\|Despite the ], his last name does not use an ], but rather an ].}} ({{IPAc-en\|'\|m\|æ\|n\|t\|aI\|_\|'\|t\|ɛ\|ʔ\|oU}} {{respell\|MAN\|ty\|_\|TEH\|'oh}};<ref>{{cite AV media \| people = Manti Te'o \| year = 2014 \| title = Manti Te'o says his own name \| language = en, sm \| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZROvHJQA2g \| format = MP4 \| publisher = YouTube.com \| quote = Manti Te'o}}</ref> born January 26, 1991)<ref>{{cite web \|author=Manti Te'o \|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/teo_manti00.html \|title=Player Bio at the Official Athletic Site of the University of Notre Dame \|publisher=Und.com \|access-date=March 29, 2013 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420120030/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/teo_manti00.html \|archive-date=April 20, 2017 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> is an American former professional ] player who was a ] in the ] (NFL). He played ] for the ], earning ] honors and receiving multiple national awards. He was selected by the ] in the second round of the ] and played in the NFL until 2021.
	*]

	\|highschool=]
			In 2012, Te'o became the victim of a ] ruse when Naya Tuiasosopo created a fake online persona named Lennay Kekua with whom Te'o became romantically involved.
	\|pastschools=<nowiki></nowiki>

	*] (2009–present)
			==Early life==
	\|bowlgames=<nowiki></nowiki>
			Te'o played for ], a ] ] institution in ], where he had also attended middle school. Te'o began his ] career in 2006 with stellar play that won him selection to the second-team all-state roster as a sophomore.
	*]

	*]
			As a junior in 2007, Te'o was named the state defensive player of the year by the '']'' and the ] state player of the year. He received first-team all-state honors while totaling 90 ] and five ] on defense and 400 ] yards and ten ] as a ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/consensus-100/manti-teo \|title=Manti Te'o \|publisher=Athlon Sports \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> Te'o drew considerable attention from colleges and recruiters in the process.
	*]

	\|cbs=1697293
			Te'o came into his senior year as one of the most celebrated players and recruits both on the state and national levels, landing on a number of national top ten ] lists before the start of the season. He received offers from over 30 college programs. During his senior year, Te'o helped lead Punahou to its first-ever ] during the 2008 season. He amassed 129 tackles, including 11 sacks, forced three ], tipped four ] and totaled 19 quarterback hurries. On offense at running back, Te'o rushed for 176 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and four touchdowns and had three ], two for touchdowns. He also had three touchdowns, returning one 49 yards for a touchdown. He also returned a ] for a touchdown.
	\|espn=483399

	\|si=
			He received his second straight Gatorade state player of the year award for his play during the season and was named first-team all-state and the state defensive player of the year for the second straight season. Te'o was such a force that '']'' considered just naming him the overall state player of the year.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://hawaiipreps.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20081228%2FSPORTS03%2F812280371%2F-1%2FPREPSPORTS20&template=PrepSports \|title=Te'o had starring role as Defensive Player of Year \|access-date=June 1, 2017 \|url-status=bot: unknown \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106131126/http://hawaiipreps.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20081228%2FSPORTS03%2F812280371%2F-1%2FPREPSPORTS20&template=PrepSports \|archive-date=January 6, 2009 }}</ref> He is regarded as one of the most highly recruited athletes, both in football and for any sport, in the history of the state of Hawaii.
	\|yahoo=181985

	\|rivals=420491
			In 2008, Te'o won the inaugural ] at the high school level, awarded to the best prep ] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081205/BREAKING02/81205044 \|title=Punahou senior linebacker Manti Te'o receives Butkus Award \|publisher=Honoluluadvertiser.com \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> He was also named the 2008 ], becoming the first person from the state of Hawaii and the first athlete of ] to receive the award.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=498250 \|title=Manti Te'o SN's high school athlete of the year \|publisher=Sportingnews.com \|access-date=March 29, 2013 \|archive-date=April 16, 2009 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416085017/http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=498250 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> ] named Te'o the ] and a first-team ]. He is only the third high school player from Hawaii to be named to the ], after ] in ] and Jason Ching in ] (Ching, too, is a Punahou and Notre Dame alumnus).<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081224/BREAKING02/81223081/0/BREAKING01 \|title=USA Today tabs Te'o as its best on defense \|publisher=Honoluluadvertiser.com \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> Te'o was also named to the 2009 Parade All-American team as well.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.parade.com/news/2009/01/parade-all-america-high-school-football-team.html \|title=Meet PARADE's All-America High School Football Team \|date=January 25, 2009 \|publisher=Parade.com \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> On January 10, 2010, Te'o was named the Hawaii State Defensive Player of the Decade (2000–2009) by the ''Honolulu Advertiser''.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2010/Jan/10/sp/hawaii1100373.html \|title=Te'o, Funaki top voting of readers \|newspaper=Honolulu Advertiser \|date=January 10, 2010 \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref>

			===College recruitment and rankings===
			Te'o was nationally regarded as one of the elite prospects of the class of 2009. Major recruiting service ] listed him as a five-star recruit—the first from Hawaii since Jonathan Mapu in 2002—and ranked him second among inside linebackers only behind ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-2128\|title=Rivals.com\|website=sports.yahoo.com}}</ref> Also listed as five-star recruit, Te'o was ranked as the No. 1 strongside linebacker in his class by ].

			{{College Athlete Recruit Start\|40=yes\|collapse=no\|year=2012}}
			{{College Athlete Recruit Entry
			\| recruit = Manti Te'o
			\| position = LB
			\| hometown = Laie, HI
			\| highschool = Punahou
			\| feet = 6
			\| inches = 2
			\| weight = 225
			\| 40 = 4.6
			\| commitdate = February 4, 2009
			\| scout stars = 5
			\| rivals stars = 5
			\| espn grade = 93
	}}		}}
			\|}
	'''Manti Malietau Louis Te'o''' (born January 26, 1991)<ref></ref> is an ] player of ]n descent. He is a ] at the ]. Growing up on the island of ], he was one of the most decorated high school athletes in Hawaii's history. In 2008, Te'o won the inaugural high school ], while also being named ]. In 2012, he won the ] for collegiate players.

			On ] of 2009, Te'o committed to the University of Notre Dame.<ref>{{cite news\| url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/football/la-sp-high-school-recruiting5-2009feb05,0,4339233.column \| work=Los Angeles Times \| first=Eric \| last=Sondheimer \| title=Te'o goes to Notre Dame as USC's recruiting gets mixed early results \| date=February 5, 2009}}</ref> He chose the Fighting Irish, then coached by ], over ] and ]. Te'o was the first '']'' Defensive Player of the Year to commit to the Irish since ] in 1995.
	==Early life and prep school==
	Te'o was born in ], Hawaii on January 26, 1991.<ref></ref> He is the son of Brian and Ottilia Te'o and has 5 siblings: sisters BrieAnne, Tiare, Eden and Maya and brother Manasseh.<ref></ref>

			==College career==
	In 2006, Te'o played for ], a ] ] institution in ], ], where he had also attended middle school. Te'o began his ] career that year with stellar play that landed him on the second-team all-state roster as a sophmore.
			Te'o enrolled in the ], where he played for the ] team from 2009 to 2012.

			===Freshman season===
	As a junior in 2007, Te'o was named the state defensive player of the year by the ] and the ] state player of the year. He received first-team all-state honors while totaling 90 ] and five ] on defense and 400 ] yards and ten ] as a ].<ref></ref> Te'o drew considerable attention from colleges and recruiters in the process.
			{{See also\|2009 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team}}
			].]]
			Te'o entered his first college game at the start of the second defensive series early in the second quarter versus ] on September 5, 2009. On his third snap Te'o tackled Wolf Pack ] ] after an 11-yard gain on third and 15 for his first collegiate tackle. After playing, but not starting, his first three games, Te'o made his first collegiate start in the Irish's game versus ].<ref name="Walters">{{cite news\|last=Walters\|first=John\|title=Manti Te'o: The Notre Dame Linebacker Unplugged\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111612aal.html\|access-date=November 28, 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628005210/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111612aal.html\|archive-date=June 28, 2013\|url-status=dead}}</ref> He played in all 12 games of his freshman season and finished the season with 63 ], the third-most tackles ever by a Notre Dame freshman behind ] (82 in 1975) and ] (68 in 1973).<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/062110aab.html \|title=Manti Te'o Named To The 2010 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List \|publisher=Und.com \|date=June 21, 2010 \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> Te'o also recorded 5.5 ] and 1 ].

			On December 8, 2009, Te'o was named a Freshman All-American by '']''.<ref>{{Citation \|url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/927274.html \|last=Cirminiello \|first=Richard \|title=2009 CFN All-Freshman Team: Defense & Special Teams \|date=December 8, 2009 \|work=College Football News \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219011540/http://cfn.scout.com/2/927274.html \|archive-date=December 19, 2013 }}</ref> He was also named a second-team Freshman All-American by ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?cid=1029962 \|title=Rivals.com 2009 Freshman All-American Team \|publisher=Collegefootball.rivals.com \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref>
	Te'o came into his senior year as one of the most celebrated players and recruits both on the state and national levels, landing on a number of national top ten ] lists before the start of the season. Te'o received offers from over 30 college programs. During his senior year, Te'o helped lead Punahou to its first-ever ] during the 2008 season. He amassed 129 tackles, including 11 sacks, forced three ], tipped four ] and totaled 19 quarterback hurries. On offense at running back, Te'o rushed for 176 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and four touchdowns and had three ], two for touchdowns. He also had three interceptions, returning one 49 yards for a touchdown. He also returned a ] for a touchdown.

			===Sophomore season===
	He received his second straight Gatorade state player of the year award for his play during the season and was named first-team all-state and the state defensive player of the year for the second straight season. Te'o was such a force that ] considered just naming him the overall state player of the year.<ref></ref> He is regarded as one of the most highly recruited athletes, both in football and for any sport, in the history of the state of Hawaii.
			{{See also\|2010 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team}}
			Te'o moved from outside to inside linebacker in 2010 as Notre Dame switched to a ] under defensive coordinator ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Teo-will-be-focus-of-defensive-revival-at-Notre-Dame-2226.html \|title=Te'o will be focus of defensive revival at Notre Dame \|publisher=Nationalfootballpost.com \|date=April 29, 2010 \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> On April 30, 2010, Te'o was named to the 2010 ] & ] watch lists.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/season_preview_2010_watchlist_lombardi.html \|title=2010 Lombardi Award Watch List \|publisher=Collegefootballpoll.com \|date=April 30, 2010 \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref>

			Te'o led the Fighting Irish in tackles with 133, and was second in tackles for loss with 9.5. Against ] on September 25, Te'o finished with 21 total tackles. This total represents a career-high for Te'o and is also the most tackles in a game by an individual for Notre Dame since 2006.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20100925/SPORTS13/100929612/1001/Sports\|title=Notre Dame football: Ton of tackles, little else for Te'o}}{{Dead link\|date=March 2023 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
	After the year, Te'o participated in the Hawaii Prep Classic and the ], choosing to participate in the latter over the ].<ref></ref> Te'o played in the Under Armour game along with his high school turned collegiate teammate, ] Robby Toma.

			Te'o was named one of 16 semifinalists for both the Butkus Award (Best Collegiate Linebacker) and the Bednarik Award for top College defensive player.<ref>{{cite web \|last=Star \|first=Daily \|url=http://www.nilesstar.com/2010/11/09/msu%E2%80%99s-jones-nd%E2%80%99s-te%E2%80%99o-on-bednarik-list/ \|title=MSU's Jones, ND's Te'o on Bednarik list \|publisher=The Niles Star \|date=November 9, 2010 \|access-date=December 27, 2010 \|archive-date=March 14, 2012 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314062333/http://www.nilesstar.com/2010/11/09/msu%E2%80%99s-jones-nd%E2%80%99s-te%E2%80%99o-on-bednarik-list/ \|url-status=dead }}</ref> He was also named a Second-team All-American by ].<ref>{{cite web \|date=December 15, 2010 \|first=Pete \|last=Byrne \|url=http://articles.wsbt.com/2010-12-15/americans_25193806 \|title=Te'o, Ruffer named all-americans \|publisher=Wsbt.com \|access-date=March 29, 2013 \|archive-date=July 18, 2011 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718122001/http://articles.wsbt.com/2010-12-15/americans_25193806 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>
	==Prep awards and accomplishments==
	===Football===
	In 2008, Te'o won the inaugural ] at the high school level, awarded to the best prep ] in the United States.<ref></ref> He was also named the 2008 ], becoming the first person from the state of Hawaii and the first athlete of ] to receive the award.<ref></ref> ] named Te'o the ] and a first-team ]. He is only the third high school player from Hawaii to be named to the ] and the second player from Punahou to earn such a distinction since 1990.<ref></ref> Te'o was also named to the 2009 Parade All-American team as well.<ref></ref> On January 10, 2010, Te'o was named the Hawaii State Defensive Player of the Decade (2000–2009) by the Honolulu Advertiser.<ref></ref>
	]

	===~~Extra-Curricular~~===		===Junior season===
			{{See also\|2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team}}
	In high school, Te'o had a 3.5 grade-point average and did volunteer work with the ], ] preschool program, Hawai'i Food Bank and ]. Te'o also became an ] in November 2008.<ref></ref> Te'o is an active member of ] (LDS/Mormon Church).<ref></ref>
			Te'o led the Fighting Irish in tackles for the second straight season in 2011 with 128. He also led the team in tackles for loss with 13.5 and finished second in sacks with 5.0.

			Te'o was a finalist for the ] and the ] and was selected as the 2011 FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Year.<ref name="und.com">{{Citation \|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121611aab.html \|title=Eifert, Te'o and Floyd gain multiple All-America honors \|date=December 16, 2011 \|work=ND.com }}</ref>
	===List of prep awards===
	*Hawaii State Defensive Player of the Decade (2000–2009)
	*2008 ] (HS)
	*2008 ] High School Athlete of the Year
	*2008 ] National Defensive Player of the Year
	*2009 ] All-American
	*2008 Gatorade Hawaii Football Player of the Year
	*2007 Gatorade Hawaii Football Player of the Year
	*2008 Hawaii State Defensive Player of the Year
	*2007 Hawaii State Defensive Player of the Year
	*2008 Punahou Aina Award
	*2009 All-American Donny Martin Award

			Te'o was named a second-team All-American by the ], ], ], ] and ]. He was also named to the ] Academic All-American second-team.<ref name="und.com"/>
	==College recruitment and rankings==
	Te'o committed to the ] on ], February 4, 2009.<ref></ref> He chose the ], coached by ], over ] and ]. Te'o is the first '']'' Defensive Player of the Year to commit to the Irish since ] in 1995.

	===~~Player~~ ~~assessment~~===		===Senior season===
			{{See also\|2012 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team}}
			Te’o announced on December 11, 2011, that he would return to Notre Dame for his senior season. Te'o entered his final season as one of 10 players in Notre Dame history to record over 300 career tackles and started the season eighth on the career tackles list for the Fighting Irish.<ref name="und.com"/> During the season, Te’o was the leading tackler and leader in interceptions for a 12–0 Notre Dame team which had the second-ranked scoring defense (10.33 points per game) in the country. He had 103 tackles in the regular season (52 solo, 51 assisted, 8.58 per game), including 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks (one for 13 yards of ] quarterback ].<ref name="Walters"/>) Te’o also led the team, as well as all ] linebackers, in interceptions. Te’o's 7 interceptions during the 2012 season are the most by any FBS linebacker since 2001.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Clarke\|first=Patrick\|title=Heisman Watch 2012: Making the Best Case for Each Top Contender\|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1421101-heisman-watch-2012-making-best-case-for-each-top-contender\|access-date=November 26, 2012}}</ref> He ranked third in the nation at 0.58 interceptions per game, and overall only ] ] Phillip Thomas had more, with 8 interceptions that season.<ref name="Walters"/> Te'o's season-high per game was 2 interceptions for 28 yards against ].<ref>{{cite news\|last=Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics\|title=Cumulative Season Statistics\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2012-2013/teamcume.html#TEAM.IND\|access-date=November 26, 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019133518/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2012-2013/teamcume.html#TEAM.IND\|archive-date=October 19, 2012\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

			In the 2012 season, Notre Dame ranked second in the nation in scoring defense (10.33 points per game) and ranked in the top 19 nationally in four other defensive categories: fifth in rushing defense (92.42 yards per game), sixth in total defense (287.25 yards per game), 12th in pass efficiency defense (105.58) and 19th in sacks (2.75 per game). Te'o's 8.58 tackles per game is three and a half more per game than the squad's next-most prolific tackler, ] (5.09 per game).<ref name="Walters"/>
	''All rankings and assessments current as of 01/21/09.''

	{\| class="wikitable"
			Te'o is one of the most decorated defensive players in college football history. He won the 2012 Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year ], as well as the ], the ], the ], the ], the ], and the ]. In addition, he was named a national scholar-athlete by the ].<ref name=dp>{{cite news\|last=Virgen\|first=Steve\|title=Virgen's View: Te'o caps special week in Newport Beach\|url=http://articles.dailypilot.com/2012-12-12/sports/tn-dpt-1213-ronnie-lott-trophy-manti-teo-20121212_1_manti-te-o-top-linebacker-johnny-manziel\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021201557/http://articles.dailypilot.com/2012-12-12/sports/tn-dpt-1213-ronnie-lott-trophy-manti-teo-20121212_1_manti-te-o-top-linebacker-johnny-manziel\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=October 21, 2013\|access-date=December 22, 2012\|newspaper=Daily Pilot\|date=December 12, 2012}}</ref> One of three finalists for the ], Te'o eventually finished second in the voting to ] quarterback ].

			In the ], Te'o recorded 10 tackles in a 42–14 loss to a 12–1 ] team which won its third national championship in four years. Alabama took control from the start and led 14–0 after the first quarter and extended its lead to a 28–0 score by halftime. Te'o finished with 7 assists and 3 solo tackles.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2012-2013/bcs2013.html \|title=Alabama vs Notre Dame (Jan 7, 2013) \|date=January 7, 2013 \|work=UND.com \|access-date=February 7, 2013 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628180241/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2012-2013/bcs2013.html \|archive-date=June 28, 2013 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

			===College statistics===
			Te'o has 437 total tackles in his four-year career at Notre Dame. He ranks third all-time in school history behind ] (521, 1978–81) and ] (479, 1975–78). He started in 47 consecutive games, beginning with the fourth game of his freshman season, at that point the longest streak of any linebacker in the country.<ref name="Walters"/> He joins Crable as the second player in Notre Dame history to record 100+ tackles in three consecutive seasons.<ref>{{cite news\|last=ESPN Stats & Information\|title=Notre Dame concedes very little on defense\|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/notre-dame-football/post/_/id/11842/notre-dame-concedes-very-little-on-defense\|access-date=November 26, 2012}}</ref>

			All statistics from ''Notre Dame Official Athletic Site'',<ref name="und">{{cite web\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2009-2010/teamcume.html#TEAM.DEF\|title=Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2009–2010\|publisher=University of Notre Dame\|access-date=October 28, 2009\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617034328/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2009-2010/teamcume.html#TEAM.DEF\|archive-date=June 17, 2011\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="und1">{{cite web\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2010-2011/teamcume.html#TEAM.DEF\|title=Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2010–2011\|publisher=University of Notre Dame\|access-date=September 18, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617031737/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2010-2011/teamcume.html#TEAM.DEF\|archive-date=June 17, 2011\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="und2">{{cite web\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2011-2012/teamcume.html#TEAM.DEF\|title=Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2011–2012\|publisher=University of Notre Dame\|access-date=October 6, 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629181554/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2011-2012/teamcume.html#TEAM.DEF\|archive-date=June 29, 2017\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="und3">{{cite web\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2012-2013/teamcume.html#TEAM.DEF\|title=Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2012–2013\|publisher=University of Notre Dame\|access-date=September 14, 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019133518/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2012-2013/teamcume.html#TEAM.DEF\|archive-date=October 19, 2012\|url-status=dead}}</ref>
			{\| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
	\|-		\|-
			! rowspan=2 \| Year !! rowspan=2 \| Team !! rowspan=2 \| Games !! colspan=4 \| Tackles !!\| Sacks !! colspan=4 \| Pass Defense !! colspan=2 \| Fumbles !! colspan=2 \| Blkd
	! style="background:#e5e5e5;"\| Recruiting Service !! ! style="background:#e5e5e5;"\| Stars/Grade !! style="background:#e5e5e5;"\| Position Rank !! style="background:#e5e5e5;"\| Overall Rank
	\|-		\|-
			! Solo !! Ast !! Total !! TFL – Yds !! No – Yds !! Int – Yds !! BU !! PD !! Qbh !! Rcv – Yds !! FF !! Kick !! Saf
	\| \|\| <center>{{Rating\|5\|5}}</center> \|\| <center>3</center> \|\| <center>12</center>
	\|-		\|-
			\|] \|\| ] \|\| 12 \|\| 29 \|\| 34 \|\| 63 \|\| 5.5 – 25 \|\| 1.0 – 12 \|\| 0 – 0 \|\| 1 \|\| 1 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 – 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
	\| \|\| <center>{{Rating\|5\|5}}</center> \|\| <center>1</center> \|\| <center>6</center>
	\|-		\|-
			\|] \|\| ] \|\| 13 \|\| 66 \|\| 67 \|\| 133 \|\| 9.5 – 34 \|\| 1.0 – 7 \|\| 0 – 0 \|\| 3 \|\| 3 \|\| 3 \|\| 0 – 0 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
	\| \|\| <center>93/100</center> \|\| <center>1</center> \|\| <center>2</center>
	\|-		\|-
			\|] \|\| ] \|\| 13 \|\| 62 \|\| 66 \|\| 128 \|\| 13.5 – 36 \|\| 5.0 – 23 \|\| 0 – 0 \|\| 2 \|\| 2 \|\| 4 \|\| 0 – 0 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
	\| \|\| <center>869/1,000</center> \|\| <center>1</center> \|\| <center>3</center>
	\|-
	\| \|\| <center>N/A</center> \|\| <center>1</center> \|\| <center>1</center>
	\|-		\|-
			\|] \|\| ] \|\| 13 \|\| 55 \|\| 58 \|\| 113 \|\| 5.5 – 19 \|\| 1.5 – 13 \|\| 7 – 35 \|\| 4 \|\| 11 \|\| 4 \|\| 2 – 8 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
	\| \|\| <center>1,285</center> \|\| <center>1</center> \|\| <center>7</center>
			\|- style="background:#eee;"
	\|-
			\| colspan=2 \| '''Career''' \|\| 51 \|\| 212 \|\| 225 \|\| 437 \|\| 34.0 – 114 \|\| 8.5 – 55 \|\| 7 – 35 \|\| 10 \|\| 17 \|\| 12 \|\| 2 – 8 \|\| 2 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
	\| \|\| <center>N/A</center> \|\| <center>1</center> \|\| <center>12</center>
	\|}		\|}

	==~~=Recruitment~~ ~~honors=~~==		==Professional career==
			===Pre-draft===
	''Manti Te'o was awarded the following rankings and accolades by these recruitment and news sources.<ref></ref>''
			Te'o decided to return to Notre Dame after the 2011 season<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7343456/notre-dame-fighting-irish-manti-teo-return-senior-season \|title=Manti Te'o to return to Notre Dame \|work=ESPN.com \|date=December 11, 2011 }}</ref> despite being projected a late first-round pick for the ] as early as mid-season of 2011.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/tony_pauline/10/24/top.50/1.html \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119124201/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/tony_pauline/10/24/top.50/1.html \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=January 19, 2013 \|title=Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson high in midseason NFL draft rankings \|first=Tony \|last=Pauline \|work=SI.com \|date=October 24, 2011 }}</ref> In preseason ]s from May 2012, Te'o was listed as a late first-rounder for the ] as well.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/18906573/top-32-for-2013-barkley-headlines-a-class-that-already-looks-deep\|title=Top 32 for 2013: Barkley headlines a class that already looks deep\|first=Pete\|last=Prisco\|work=CBS Sports\|date=April 30, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Matt-Barkley-2013-mock-draft-043012\|title=Schrager's 2013 mock draft\|first=Peter\|last=Schrager\|date=May 1, 2012\|work=Fox Sports}}</ref> By mid-season, he had moved up to the mid-first round.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tony_pauline/11/08/nfl-2013-draft-midseason-top-50/index.html \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111073047/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tony_pauline/11/08/nfl-2013-draft-midseason-top-50/index.html \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=November 11, 2012 \|title=Barkevious Mingo, Bjoern Werner, Star Lotulelei in top 50 \|first=Tony \|last=Pauline \|work=SI.com \|date=November 8, 2012 }}</ref> Notre Dame has not seen one of their linebackers selected in the first round since ] in ]. At the conclusion of the 2012 college football season, Te'o signed with agent ]. He was training at the ] in ], in preparation for the NFL Draft.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.southbendtribune.com/sports/notredame/sbt-notre-dame-football-notebook-teos-draft-stock-holds-steady-20130114,0,3662245.story\|title=Notre Dame football notebook: Te'o's draft stock holds steady\|first=Eric\|last=Hansen\|date=January 14, 2013\|access-date=January 15, 2013\|archive-date=January 16, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116125520/http://www.southbendtribune.com/sports/notredame/sbt-notre-dame-football-notebook-teos-draft-stock-holds-steady-20130114,0,3662245.story\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

			{{NFL predraft
	*Rated the top defensive player in the nation and second-best player in the country by Sporting News.
			\| height ft = 6
	*Rated the second-best overall prospect in the ESPNU150 and best linebacker according to ESPN.
			\| height in = 1¼
	*Ranked fifth nationally in SI/TAKKLE Top 200 for 2008.
			\| weight = 241
	*Rated third in 2009 Athlon Consensus 100.
			\| dash = 4.82
	*Ranked sixth nationally by Scout.com and its top linebacker prospect.
			\| ten split = 1.87
	*Ranked the 12th-best overall player nationally and second-best inside linebacker by Rivals.com.
			\| twenty split = 2.98
	*Rated the best player in Hawaii according to Rivals.com's postseason state rankings.
			\| shuttle = 4.27
	*Listed seventh nationally in ] rating of top 100 players.
			\| cone drill = 7.13
	*Rated the 12th-best all around player by Tom Lemming of ] in his Top 100.
			\| vertical = 33
	*Named to Superprep Elite 50 squad as 12th-best overall player.
			\| broad ft = 9
	*Named to Superprep All-America team as second-best linebacker in the county.
			\| broad in = 5
	*Named Superprep Far West Defensive Player of the Year.
			\| bench = 21
	*Named top overall prospect in the Offense-Defense 100.
			\| wonderlic =
	*Top vote-getter among defensive players in ]'s 2009 Best in the West team.
			\| arm span = 32½
	*Selected to Western 100 in 2008 by ].
			\| hand span = 9½
	*Named to 2008 ] All-America first-team defense as a senior.
			\| note = All values from ], except bench press (from Notre Dame ])<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/manti-te'o?id=2539277 \|title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles – Manti Te'o \|work=Nfl.com \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=89462&draftyear=2013&genpos=ILB \|title=Manti Te''o \| Notre Dame, ILB : 2013 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile \|publisher=Nfldraftscout.com \|date=September 21, 2006 \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref>
			}}

			Te'o attended the NFL Combine under a lot of scrutiny by NFL teams.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/sports/football/manti-teo-fields-questions-at-scouting-combine.html \|title=With N.F.L. Watching, Manti Te'o Fields Questions at Scouting Combine \|newspaper=] \|date=February 23, 2013 \|first=Judy \|last=Battista }}</ref> His comparably slow time of 4.82 in the ] was disappointing, but he promised to "do a lot better" at his Notre Dame pro day.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/21773602/manti-teo-combine-exhausting-he-can-obviously-do-a-lot-better \|title=Manti Te'o: Combine 'exhausting,' he 'can obviously do a lot better' \|work=CBSSports.com \|date=February 26, 2013 }}</ref> After the combine, '']'' projected Te'o to fall out of the first round.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130227/nfl-mock-draft-2/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301173348/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130227/nfl-mock-draft-2/ \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=March 1, 2013 \|title=2013 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 \|work=SI.com \|date=February 27, 2013 \|last=Banks \|first=Don }}</ref> At Notre Dame Pro Day on March 26, Te'o ran faster according to ''ESPN's'' ] (hand-timed 4.75 and 4.71).<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/9100200/manti-teo-runs-40-unofficially-471-notre-dame-fighting-irish-pro-day \|title=Manti Te'o runs 40 unofficially in 4.71 at Notre Dame Fighting Irish pro day \|work=ESPN.com \|date=March 26, 2013 }}</ref>
	==College career==
	===Freshman season (2009)===
	Te'o entered his first college game at the start of the second defensive series early in the second quarter versus ] on September 5, 2009. On his third snap Te'o tackled Wolf Pack ] ] after an 11-yard gain on third and 15 for his first collegiate tackle. After playing, but not starting, his first three games, Te'o made his first collegiate start in the Irish's game versus ].<ref>{{cite news\|last=Walters\|first=John\|title=Manti Te'o: The Notre Dame Linebacker Unplugged\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111612aal.html\|accessdate=28 November 2012}}</ref> He played in all 12 games of his freshman season and finished the season with 63 ], the third-most tackles ever by a Notre Dame freshman behind ] (82 in 1975) and ] (68 in 1973).<ref name="autogenerated1"></ref> Te'o also recorded 5.5 ] and 1 ].

			===San Diego Chargers===
	On December 8, 2009, Te'o was named a Freshman All-American by '']''.<ref>{{Citation \|url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/927274.html \|last=Cirminiello \|first=Richard \|title=2009 CFN All-Freshman Team: Defense & Special Teams \|date=December 8, 2009 \|work=College Football News }}</ref> Te'o was also named a second-team Freshman All-American by ].<ref></ref>
			====2013 season====
			He was selected in the second round, 38th overall by the ],<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/manti-te-o-gets-fresh-start-with-san-diego-chargers-0ap1000000164315\|title=Manti Te'o gets fresh start with San Diego Chargers\|website=] }}</ref> as the second inside linebacker in the draft behind ].<ref>{{Cite web \|title=2013 NFL Draft Listing \|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2013/draft.htm \|access-date=May 14, 2023 \|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com \|language=en}}</ref> "It's a perfect scenario. My parents can come and watch, I can go home, it's San Diego," said Te'o on draft day.<ref name="Teo Draft">{{cite news \|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/9215985/2013-nfl-draft-san-diego-chargers-select-manti-teo-sixth-pick-second-round \|title=San Diego Chargers select Manti Te'o with sixth pick in second round \|work=ESPN.com \|date=April 27, 2016 }}</ref> He was the highest selected Notre Dame linebacker since ] in ], until ] was selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.

			On May 9, 2013, Te'o signed a four-year contract with the Chargers.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/manti-te-o-san-diego-chargers-reach-contract-0ap1000000168392\|title=Manti Te'o, San Diego Chargers reach contract\|website=] }}</ref> The deal included a $2,141,768 signing bonus and was worth just over $5 million with over $3.1 million in guaranteed money.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/saints-eagles-lions-chargers-sign-several-2013-nfl-021205924.html\|title=Chargers' Manti Te'o among first NFL rookies to ink contract}}</ref> He was the second linebacker of ]n descent to play for the Chargers (after ]).
	===Sophomore season (2010)===
	Te'o moved from outside to inside linebacker in 2010 as Notre Dame switched to a ] under defensive coordinator Bob Diaco.<ref></ref> On April 30, 2010, Te'o was named to the 2010 ] & ] watch lists.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref></ref>

			Te'o injured his right foot in the Chargers' preseason opener against the ] on August 8, which caused him to miss the remainder of preseason as well as the regular season opener against the ].<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chargers/2013/09/07/manti-teo-notre-dame-monday-houston-texans/2780365/ \|title=Manti Te'o's NFL debut postponed by foot injury \|newspaper=USA Today \|date=September 7, 2016 \|first1=Tom \|last1=Pelissero}}</ref>
	Te'o led the Fighting Irish in tackles with 133, and was second in tackles for loss with 9.5. Against ] on September 25, Te'o finished with 21 total tackles. This total represents a career-high for Te'o and is also the most tackles in a game by an individual for Notre Dame since 2006.<ref></ref>
			Te'o made his ] debut in a week 4 matchup against the ]. Te'o finished the game with three tackles as the Chargers won.

			Te'o ended the season with 61 tackles and 4 passes defended in 13 games started.
	Te'o was named one of 16 semifinalists for both the Butkus Award (Best Collegiate Linebacker) and the Bednarik Award for top College defensive player.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Star \|first=Daily \|url=http://www.nilesstar.com/2010/11/09/msu%E2%80%99s-jones-nd%E2%80%99s-te%E2%80%99o-on-bednarik-list/ \|title=MSU’s Jones, ND’s Te’o on Bednarik list \|publisher=The Niles Star \|date=2010-11-09 \|accessdate=2010-12-27}}</ref> Te'o was also named a Second Team All-American by ].<ref></ref>

	===~~Junior~~ season ~~(2011)~~===		====2014 season====
			Te'o looked to improve from 2013; however, on September 23, 2014, Te'o suffered a fractured foot. He returned in the middle of the season against the ]. Against the ], Te'o intercepted ] in the red zone, while covering ], for his first NFL interception. A few weeks later, in the Chargers comeback victory against the ], Te'o earned his first NFL sack by sacking ]—coincidentally, the first player Te'o tackled in his collegiate career—on a 4th down play. Manti finished the season with 61 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 3 pass deflections.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/15867/manti-teo\|title=Manti Te'o\|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
	Te'o led the Fighting Irish in tackles for the second straight season in 2011 with 128. Te'o also led the team in tackles for loss with 13.5 and finished second in sacks with 5.0.

			====2015 season====
	Te'o was a finalist for the ] and the ] and was selected as the 2011 FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Year.<ref name="und.com">{{Citation \|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121611aab.html \|last= \|first= \|title=Eifert, Te'o and Floyd gain multiple All-America honors \|date=December 16, 2011 \|work=ND.com }}</ref>
			In 2015, Te'o had 63 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/15867/manti-teo\|title=Manti Te'o\|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> He missed four games in mid-season due to an ankle injury.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/san-diego-chargers/post/_/id/13533/chargers-manti-teo-ruled-out-antonio-gates-questionable-vs-ravens\|title=Chargers' Manti Te'o ruled out, Antonio Gates questionable vs. Ravens\|date=October 30, 2015}}</ref>

			====2016 season====
	Te'o was named a second team All-American by the ], ], ], ] and ]. Te'o was also named to the ] Academic All-American second team.<ref name="und.com"/>
			On September 5, 2016, Te'o was named one of the ]' team captains for the 2016 season.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Chargers Announce 2016 Team Captains\|url=http://www.chargers.com/news/2016/09/05/chargers-announce-2016-team-captains?sf35177348=1\|author=Henne, Ricky\|website=Chargers.com\|date=September 5, 2016}}</ref> On September 28, 2016, he was placed on injured reserve with a torn ].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Chargers Sign Former Raiders LB Korey Toomer\|url=http://www.chargers.com/news/2016/09/28/chargers-sign-former-raiders-lb-korey-toomer\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107020122/http://www.chargers.com/news/2016/09/28/chargers-sign-former-raiders-lb-korey-toomer\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=November 7, 2017\|website=Chargers.com\|access-date=September 28, 2016}}</ref>

	===~~Senior~~ ~~season~~ ~~(2012)~~===		===New Orleans Saints===
			On March 21, 2017, Te'o signed a two-year contract with the ].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Saints sign Manti Te'o\|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/03/21/saints-sign-manti-teo/related/\|author=Alper, Josh\|website=ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com\|date=March 21, 2017\|access-date=December 29, 2023\|archive-date=September 1, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901083826/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/03/21/saints-sign-manti-teo/related/\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=Saints Sign LB Manti Te'o to Two-Year Contract\|url=http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/Saints-Sign-LB-Manti-Teo-to-Two-Year-Contract/7e203520-a365-469c-9b95-b46f6e4d54b7\|website=NewOrleansSaints.com\|date=March 22, 2017\|access-date=March 23, 2017\|archive-date=October 9, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009093025/http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/Saints-Sign-LB-Manti-Teo-to-Two-Year-Contract/7e203520-a365-469c-9b95-b46f6e4d54b7\|url-status=dead}}</ref> He led the Saints in tackles for loss during the 2017 season.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2019/07/23/saints-free-agents-unsigned-training-camp-dez-bryant-news-manti-teo/ \|access-date=October 16, 2019\|title=8 Saints free agents still unsigned before training camp\|date=July 23, 2019}}</ref> He was a healthy inactive for all but five games of the 2018 season and was not re-signed when his contract expired.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2019/08/30/saints-roster-cuts-injured-reserve-free-agents-manti-teo-news/ \|website=saintswire.usatoday.com \|access-date=October 16, 2019\|title=Should the New Orleans Saints reunite with Manti Te'o? \|date=August 30, 2019 }}</ref>
	Te’o announced on December 11, 2011 that he would return to Notre Dame for his senior season. Te'o entered his final season as one of 10 players in Notre Dame history to record over 300 career tackles and started the season eighth on the career tackles list for the Fighting Irish.<ref name="und.com"/> During the season, Te’o was the leading tackler and leader in interceptions for a 12-0 Notre Dame team which had the second-ranked scoring defense (10.33 points per game). He had 103 tackles in the regular season (52 solo, 51 assisted, 8.58 per game), including 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks (one for 13 yards of Oklahoma quarterback ].<ref>{{cite news\|last=Walters\|first=John\|title=Manti Te'o: The Notre Dame Linebacker Unplugged\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111612aal.html\|accessdate=28 November 2012}}</ref> Te’o also led the team, as well as all ] linebackers in the nation, in interceptions. Te’o’s 7 interceptions during the 2012 season are the most by any FBS linebacker since 2001.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Clarke\|first=Patrick\|title=Heisman Watch 2012: Making the Best Case for Each Top Contender\|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1421101-heisman-watch-2012-making-best-case-for-each-top-contender\|accessdate=26 November 2012}}</ref> He ranks third in the nation at 0.58 interceptions per game, and overall only ] ] has more, with 8 interceptions this season.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Walters\|first=John\|title=Manti Te'o: The Notre Dame Linebacker Unplugged\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111612aal.html\|accessdate=28 November 2012}}</ref> His season-high per game was 2 interceptions for 28 yards against Michigan. All statistics have been taken from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics website.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics\|title=Cumulative Season Statistics\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2012-2013/teamcume.html#TEAM.IND\|accessdate=26 November 2012}}</ref>

			After Te'o did not play for most of the 2019 season, New Orleans re-signed him on December 3, 2019.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Saints re-sign veteran linebacker Manti Te'o to free agent contract\|url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/03/saints-sign-manti-teo-news-kiko-alonso-injury-aj-klein/\|work=Saints Wire\|publisher=USA Today\|date=December 3, 2019}}</ref>
	On September 11, Te'o suffered the loss of both his grandmother and girlfriend within the span of one day.<ref name="http://www.rantsports.com/clubhouse/2012/10/09/manti-teo-overcomes-tragic-loss-of-grandma-and-girlfriend/">{{Citation \|url=http://www.rantsports.com/clubhouse/2012/10/09/manti-teo-overcomes-tragic-loss-of-grandma-and-girlfriend/ \|last= \|first= \|title=Manti Te'o overcomes tragic loss of grandmother and girlfriend \|date=October 5, 2012 \|work=RantSports.com }}</ref> His girlfriend, Stanford student Lennay Kekua, died after battling ].<ref>{{cite news\|last=Hansen\|\|title=Manti Te'o: A Career Has Come Full Circle\|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865564585/Manti-Teo-A-career-that-has-come-full-circle.html?pg=all\|accessdate=28 November 2012}}</ref> Te'o did not miss a game as a result, due to a promise he had made to his girlfriend. In a press conference Te'o spoke about his decision to remain at Notre Dame and play in the game versus Michigan State on the day of her funeral, saying, "I really wanted to see her . But I knew that she made me promise, you know one day she made me promise that, she said, 'Babe, if anything happens to me, you promise that you'll still stay over there and that you'll play and that you'll honor me through the way you play, and know that I would rather have you there.' And just make sure that all she wanted was some white roses. White is her favorite color. So she just wanted some white roses and that's all she asked for. So I sent her roses and sent her two picks along with that, so that was good."<ref>{{cite news\|last=Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics\|title=Manti Te'o Press Conference Transcript\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/100412aaa.html\|accessdate=28 November 2012}}</ref>

			===Chicago Bears===
	In the 2012 season, Notre Dame ranks second in the nation in scoring defense (10.33 points per game) and ranks in the top 19 nationally in four other defensivecategories: fifth in rushing defense (92.42 yards per game), sixth in total defense (287.25 yards per game), 12th in pass efficiency defense (105.58) and 19th in sacks (2.75 per game). Te'o's 8.58 tackles per game is three and a half more per game than the squad's next-most prolific tackler, Zeke Motta (5.09 per game).<ref>{{cite news\|last=Walters\|first=John\|title=Manti Te'o: The Notre Dame Linebacker Unplugged\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111612aal.html\|accessdate=28 November 2012}}</ref>
			On October 20, 2020, Te'o was signed to the ]' practice squad.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Mayer\|first=Larry\|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-sign-manti-te-o-to-practice-squad\|title=Roster Moves: Bears sign Manti Te'o to practice squad\|publisher=]\|date=October 20, 2020\|access-date=October 20, 2020}}</ref> He was placed on the practice squad/] list by the team on December 7, 2020,<ref>{{cite news \|author=Williams, Charean \|title=Bears place Manti Te'o, Lacale London on COVID-19 list \|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/12/07/bears-place-manti-teo-lacale-london-on-covid-19-list/ \|website=NBCSports.com \|date=December 7, 2020 \|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> and restored to the practice squad on December 19.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Manti Te'o: Returns to practice squad \|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/manti-teo-returns-to-practice-squad/ \|website=CBSSports.com \|date=December 19, 2020 \|access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> He was elevated to the active roster on January 9, 2021, for the team's wild card playoff loss against the ], and reverted to the practice squad after the game.<ref>{{cite news \|author=Sigler, John \|title=Bears rule out leading tackler Roquan Smith, call up Manti Te'o from practice squad \|url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2021/01/09/bears-rule-out-roquan-smith-injury-manti-teo-saints-news/ \|website=USAToday.com \|date=January 9, 2021 \|access-date=February 16, 2021}}</ref> His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 18, 2021.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Six players no longer under contract \|url=https://www.fantasyguru.com/bears-six-players-no-longer-under-contract/ \|website=FantasyGuru.com \|date=January 18, 2021 \|access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref>

			==NFL career statistics==
	Te'o is a leading candidate for the 2012 Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year ]. Te'o was also named a finalist for the ]. He eventually finished second in the voting to Texas A&M Quarterback ]. Many, however, believe Te'o should have been the winner.<ref>http://www.wacotrib.com/sports/182702241.html</ref>
			{\| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
			! colspan="2"\| Legend
			\|-
			\| '''Bold'''
			\| Career high
			\|}

			===Regular season===
	==College career statistics==
	Te'o has 427 total tackles in his four-year career at Notre Dame. He ranks third all-time in school history behind ] (521, 1978-81) and Bob Golic (479, 1975-78). He has started the past 47 games, beginning with the fourth game of his freshman season, at Purdue. This is the longest streak of any linebacker in the country.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Walters\|first=John\|title=Manti Te'o: The Notre Dame Linebacker Unplugged\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111612aal.html\|accessdate=28 November 2012}}</ref> He joins Crable as the second player in Notre Dame history to record 100+ tackles in three consecutive seasons.<ref>{{cite news\|last=ESPN Stats & Information\|title=Notre Dame concedes very little on defense\|url=http://espn.go.com/blog/notre-dame-football/post/_/id/11842/notre-dame-concedes-very-little-on-defense\|accessdate=26 November 2012}}</ref>
	<br /><br />
	All statistics from ''Notre Dame Official Athletic Site'',<ref name="und">{{cite web\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2009-2010/teamcume.html#TEAM.DEF\|title=Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2009-2010\|publisher=University of Notre Dame\|accessdate=2009-10-28}}</ref><ref name="und1">{{cite web\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2010-2011/teamcume.html#TEAM.DEF\|title=Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2010-2011\|publisher=University of Notre Dame\|accessdate=2010-09-18}}</ref><ref name="und2">{{cite web\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2011-2012/teamcume.html#TEAM.DEF\|title=Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2011-2012\|publisher=University of Notre Dame\|accessdate=2011-10-06}}</ref><ref name="und3">{{cite web\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2012-2013/teamcume.html#TEAM.DEF\|title=Notre Dame Official Athletic Site — Overall Defensive Statistics 2012-2013\|publisher=University of Notre Dame\|accessdate=2012-09-14}}</ref>
	{\| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"		{\| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
	\|-		\|-
			!rowspan="2"\| Year
	! rowspan=2 \| Year !! rowspan=2 \| Team !! rowspan=2 \| Games !! colspan=4 \| Tackles !!\| Sacks !! colspan=4 \| Pass Defense !! colspan=2 \| Fumbles !! colspan=2 \| Blkd
			!rowspan="2"\| Team
			!colspan="2"\| Games
			!colspan="5"\| Tackles
			!colspan="5"\| Interceptions
			!colspan="4"\| Fumbles
	\|-		\|-
	! ~~Solo~~ !! ~~Ast~~ !! ~~Total~~ !! ~~TFL –~~ ~~Yds~~ !! ~~No –~~ ~~Yds~~ !! Int~~ –~~ Yds !! BU !! PD !! ~~Qbh~~ !! ~~Rcv – Yds~~ !! FF !! ~~Kick~~ !! ~~Saf~~		! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! TFL !! Int !! Yds !! TD !! Lng !! PD !! FF !! FR !! Yds !! TD
	\|-		\|-
			! ] !! ]
	\|] \|\| ] \|\| 12 \|\| 29 \|\| 34 \|\| 63 \|\| 5.5 – 25 \|\| 1.0 – 12 \|\| 0 – 0 \|\| 1 \|\| 1 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 – 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
			\| 13 \|\| '''13''' \|\| 61 \|\| 41 \|\| 20 \|\| 0.0 \|\| 6 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| '''4''' \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
	\|-		\|-
			! ] !! ]
	\|] \|\| ] \|\| 13 \|\| 66 \|\| 67 \|\| 133 \|\| 9.5 – 34 \|\| 1.0 – 7 \|\| 0 – 0 \|\| 3 \|\| 3 \|\| 3 \|\| 0 – 0 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
			\| 10 \|\| 6 \|\| 60 \|\| 39 \|\| '''21''' \|\| '''1.0''' \|\| 3 \|\| '''1''' \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 3 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
	\|-		\|-
			! ] !! ]
	\|] \|\| ] \|\| 13 \|\| 62 \|\| 66 \|\| 128 \|\| 13.5 – 36 \|\| 5.0 – 23 \|\| 0 – 0 \|\| 2 \|\| 2 \|\| 4 \|\| 0 – 0 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
			\| 12 \|\| 12 \|\| '''83''' \|\| '''63''' \|\| 20 \|\| 0.5 \|\| 4 \|\| '''1''' \|\| '''11''' \|\| 0 \|\| '''11''' \|\| 2 \|\| '''1''' \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
	\|-		\|-
			! ] !! ]
	\|] \|\| ] \|\| 12 \|\| 52 \|\| 51 \|\| 103 \|\| 5.5 – 19 \|\| 1.5 – 13 \|\| 7 – 35 \|\| 4 \|\| 11 \|\| 4 \|\| 2 – 8 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
			\| 3 \|\| 3 \|\| 17 \|\| 11 \|\| 6 \|\| 0.0 \|\| 2 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
	\|- style="background:#eee;"
			\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| '''Career''' \|\| 50 \|\| 209 \|\| 218 \|\| 427 \|\| 34.0 – 114 \|\| 8.5 – 55 \|\| 7 – 35 \|\| 10 \|\| 17 \|\| 12 \|\| 2 – 8 \|\| 2 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
			! ] !! ]
			\| '''16''' \|\| 10 \|\| 62 \|\| 42 \|\| 20 \|\| 0.0 \|\| '''7''' \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 3 \|\| 0 \|\| '''1''' \|\| 0 \|\| 0
			\|-
			! ] !! ]
			\| 5 \|\| 2 \|\| 18 \|\| 12 \|\| 6 \|\| 0.0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
			\|-
			! ] !! ]
			\| 3 \|\| 2 \|\| 6 \|\| 4 \|\| 2 \|\| 0.0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
			\|-
			! colspan="2"\| !! 62 !! 48 !! 307 !! 212 !! 95 !! 1.5 !! 22 !! 2 !! 11 !! 0 !! 11 !! 13 !! 1 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0
	\|}		\|}

			===Playoffs===
	==Professional career==
			{\| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
	===2013 NFL Draft===
			\|-
	Forgoing the chance of a professional career in 2012, Te'o decided to return to Notre Dame after the 2011 season,<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7343456/notre-dame-fighting-irish-manti-teo-return-senior-season \|title=Manti Te'o to return to Notre Dame \|work=ESPN.com \|date=December 11, 2011 }}</ref> despite being projected a late first-round pick for the ] as early as mid-season of 2011.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/tony_pauline/10/24/top.50/1.html \|title=Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson high in midseason NFL draft rankings \|first=Tony \|last=Pauline \|work=SI.com \|date=October 24, 2011 }}</ref> In preseason ]s from May 2012, Te'o was listed as a late first-rounder for the ] as well.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/18906573/top-32-for-2013-barkley-headlines-a-class-that-already-looks-deep\|title=Top 32 for 2013: Barkley headlines a class that already looks deep\|first=Pete\|last=Prisco\|work=CBS Sports\|date=April 30, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Matt-Barkley-2013-mock-draft-043012\|title=Schrager's 2013 mock draft\|first=Peter\|last=Schrager\|date=May 1, 2012\|work=Fox Sports}}</ref> By mid-season, he had moved up to the mid-first round.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tony_pauline/11/08/nfl-2013-draft-midseason-top-50/index.html \|title=Barkevious Mingo, Bjoern Werner, Star Lotulelei in top 50 \|first=Tony \|last=Pauline \|work=SI.com \|date=November 8, 2012 }}</ref>
			!rowspan="2"\| Year
			!rowspan="2"\| Team
			!colspan="2"\| Games
			!colspan="5"\| Tackles
			!colspan="5"\| Interceptions
			!colspan="4"\| Fumbles
			\|-
			! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! TFL !! Int !! Yds !! TD !! Lng !! PD !! FF !! FR !! Yds !! TD
			\|-
			! ] !! ]
			\| '''2''' \|\| '''2''' \|\| 10 \|\| 6 \|\| 4 \|\| 0.0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
			\|-
			! ] !! ]
			\| '''2''' \|\| '''2''' \|\| '''15''' \|\| '''8''' \|\| '''7''' \|\| '''1.0''' \|\| '''1''' \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
			\|-
			! ] !! ]
			\| 1 \|\| 1 \|\| 6 \|\| 4 \|\| 2 \|\| 0.0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
			\|-
			! colspan="2"\| !! 5 !! 5 !! 31 !! 18 !! 13 !! 1.0 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0
			\|}

			==Personal life==
			Te'o was born in ], on January 26, 1991, of ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thesantaclara.com/sports/manti-te-o-sets-an-example-1.2930893#.UIrdY8XA8lR \|title=Manti Te'o Sets An Example \|publisher=Thesantaclara.com \|date=October 18, 2012 \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> He is the son of Brian and Ottilia Te'o and has five siblings: sisters BrieAnne, Tiare, Eden, Maya and brother Manasseh.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111612aal.html \|title=Manti Te'o: The Notre Dame Linebacker Unplugged \|publisher=Und.com \|access-date=March 29, 2013 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628005210/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111612aal.html \|archive-date=June 28, 2013 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

			In high school, Te'o had a 3.5 ] and did volunteer work with the ], ] preschool program, Hawai'i Food Bank and ]. Te'o also became an ] in November 2008.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://hawaiipreps.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090607/SPORTS03/906070364%26template%3DPrepSports/Manti \|title=Manti Te'o \|publisher=Hawaiipreps.honoluluadvertiser.com \|date=June 7, 2009 \|access-date=March 29, 2013 \|archive-date=October 6, 2011 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006021433/http://hawaiipreps.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090607/SPORTS03/906070364%26template%3DPrepSports/Manti \|url-status=dead }}</ref> Te'o is an active member of ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20081222_10_that_made_a_difference.html \|title=Manti Te'o – 10 Who Made A Difference \|publisher=Starbulletin.com \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref>

			In February 2020, Te'o became engaged to his girlfriend, personal trainer and beauty consultant Jovi Nicole Engbino. The couple married in San Diego, California, on August 29, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Stump \|first=Scott \|date=September 2, 2020 \|title=Football player Manti Te'o marries girlfriend, years after catfishing hoax \|url=https://www.today.com/news/manti-te-o-marries-girlfriend-years-after-catfishing-hoax-t190726 \|access-date=October 7, 2021 \|website=TODAY.com \|language=en}}</ref> Te'o has a daughter, Hiro Te'o, born August 12, 2021.{{citation needed\|date=September 2022}}

			Te'o is a close friend of quarterback ], a fellow Samoan NFL player who grew up in Hawaii, and refers to Tagavailoa as his "little brother".<ref>{{cite web\|last=D'Angelo\|first=Tom\|url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/nfl/dolphins/2024/09/13/tua-tagovailoa-concussion-reaction-manti-teo/75203808007/\|title=Manti Te'o emotional when talking about 'brother' Tua Tagovailoa suffering another concussion\|work=]\|date=September 13, 2024\|accessdate=September 14, 2024}}</ref>

			Te'o was a member of ]'s broadcasting team for the 2024 NFL Christmas day games.

			===Catfishing incident===
			Te'o told many media outlets that both his grandmother and his girlfriend had died on September 12, 2012.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.rantsports.com/clubhouse/2012/10/09/manti-teo-overcomes-tragic-loss-of-grandma-and-girlfriend/ \|title=Manti Te'o overcomes tragic loss of grandmother and girlfriend \|date=October 5, 2012 \|work=RantSports.com \|access-date=November 21, 2012 \|archive-date=December 3, 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203055554/http://www.rantsports.com/clubhouse/2012/10/09/manti-teo-overcomes-tragic-loss-of-grandma-and-girlfriend/ \|url-status=dead }}</ref> Te'o said that his girlfriend, ] student Lennay Kekua, had been injured in a car accident, and was discovered during her treatment to have ].<ref>{{cite news \|title=Manti Te'o: A career that has come full circle \|first=Eric \|last=Hansen \|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865564585/Manti-Teo-A-career-that-has-come-full-circle.html?pg=all \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104121228/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865564585/Manti-Teo-A-career-that-has-come-full-circle.html?pg=all \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=November 4, 2012 \|newspaper=Deseret News \|date=October 16, 2012 \|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> Te'o did not miss any football games for Notre Dame, saying that he had promised Kekua he would play even if something had happened to her.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics\|title=Manti Te'o Press Conference Transcript\|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/100412aaa.html\|access-date=November 28, 2012}}</ref> Many sports media outlets reported on these tragedies during Te'o's strong 2012 season and emergence as a Heisman Trophy candidate.<ref name="deadspin">{{cite news\|last=Burke\|first=Timothy\|author-link=Tim Burke (journalist)\|title=Manti Te'o's Dead Girlfriend, The Most Heartbreaking And Inspirational Story Of The College Football Season, Is A Hoax\|url=http://deadspin.com/5976517/manti-teos-dead-girlfriend-the-most-heartbreaking-and-inspirational-story-of-the-college-football-season-is-a-hoax\|access-date=January 16, 2013}}</ref>

			After receiving an anonymous email tip in January 2013, reporters ] and Jack Dickey of the sports blog '']'' conducted an investigation into Kekua's identity. On January 16, they published an article alleging Kekua ] and pointed to a man named Ronaiah "Naya" Tuiasosopo ({{IPAc-en\|r\|oʊ-\|ˈ\|n\|aɪ\|ə\|_\|ˌ\|t\|uː\|j\|ɑː\|s\|oʊ-\|ˈ\|s\|oʊ\|p\|oʊ}} {{respell\|roh\|NY\|ə\|_\|TOO\|yah\|soh\|SOH\|poh}}) as involved in the ] of a relationship with Te'o.<ref name="deadspin"/><ref name="q_and_a">{{cite web\|url=http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/qampa-with-st-petersburg-man-who-helped-break-story-of-manti-teos/1270949\|title=Q&A with St. Petersburg man who helped break story of Manti Te'o's fictional girlfriend\|first=Greg\|last=Auman\|publisher=Tampa Bay Times\|date=January 17, 2013\|access-date=January 17, 2013\|archive-date=February 5, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205221730/http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/qampa-with-st-petersburg-man-who-helped-break-story-of-manti-teos/1270949\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Tuiasosopo has been described as a family friend or acquaintance of Te'o.<ref name="deadspin"/><ref name="family_friend">{{cite web\| url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2013-01-18/manti-teo-girlfriend-hoax-update-uncle-confession-picture-lennay-kekua\| title=Manti Te'o girlfriend hoax: Woman says Ronaiah Tuiasosopo confessed to duping Te'o\| date=January 18, 2013\| access-date=January 19, 2013\| publisher=Sporting News\| archive-date=January 20, 2013\| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120025454/http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2013-01-18/manti-teo-girlfriend-hoax-update-uncle-confession-picture-lennay-kekua\| url-status=dead}}</ref> Pictures of Kekua that had been published in the media were actually of a former high school classmate of Tuiasosopo<!--not named per ]-->.<ref name="Meara">{{cite web \|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8878885/face-manti-teo-girlfriend-diane-omeara-says-ronaiah-tuiasosopo-confessed\|title=Photo woman: Tuiasosopo confessed\|publisher=ESPN\|date=January 25, 2013\|access-date=January 15, 2013}}</ref>

			On the same day the ''Deadspin'' article was published, Notre Dame issued a statement that "Manti had been the victim of what appears to be a hoax in which someone using the fictitious name Lennay Kekua apparently ingratiated herself with Manti and then conspired with others to lead him to believe she had tragically died of leukemia."<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/21563964/notre-dame-statement-teo-victim-of-a-hoax \|title=Notre Dame, Te'o say linebacker was victim of hoax \|publisher=Cbssports.com \|access-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2013/01/16/manti-teo-girlfriend-hoax-deadspin/1840415/\|title=Report: Manti Te'o's inspirational girlfriend story a hoax\|work=]\|publisher=]\|first=Paul\|last=Myerberg\|date=January 16, 2013\|access-date=January 17, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|title=Notre Dame Statement: Manti Te'o Was Victim Of A Hoax\|url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/01/16/notre-dame-statement-manti-teo-was-victim-of-a-hoax/\|access-date=January 16, 2013}}</ref> In a press conference, Notre Dame athletic director ] confirmed the university had hired private investigators to uncover the source of the hoax, and he clarified that Te'o's relationship with Kekua was "exclusively an ]".<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/21564269/jack-swarbrick-addresses-manti-teo-girlfriend-hoax\|title=Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick addresses Manti Te'o girlfriend hoax\|work=]\|publisher=]\|first=Tom\|last=Fornelli\|date=January 16, 2013\|access-date=January 17, 2013}}</ref> This conflicted with previous accounts from Te'o and his family that the couple had first met after a football game. Swarbrick then visited Te'o in Hawaii.<ref name="south_bend_tribune_father">{{cite news \| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2013/01/17/the-questions-that-manti-teo-needs-to-answer/1842141/\| title=The questions that Manti Te'o needs to answer on girlfriend hoax\| first=Rachel \| last=George \| access-date=January 17, 2013\| date=January 17, 2013 \| publisher=USAToday }}</ref><ref name="interview_transcript">{{cite news \| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20130117/manti-teo-girlfriend-hoax-quotes/\| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119055718/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20130117/manti-teo-girlfriend-hoax-quotes/\| url-status=dead\| archive-date=January 19, 2013\| title=Manti Te'o in his own words \| publisher = ] \| first=Pete \| last=Thamel \|author-link=Pete Thamel \| access-date=January 18, 2013 \| date=January 17, 2013}}</ref><ref name="nytimes_image" /> Swarbrick said Te'o informed Notre Dame of the hoax on December 26, 2012, after receiving a phone call on December 6 from the woman he knew as Kekua, claiming she was still alive. However, Te'o mentioned Kekua's death in at least four separate interviews in the days following the phone call.<ref name="nytimes_image">{{cite news \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/18/sports/ncaafootball/image-of-manti-teo-becomes-puzzle-as-theories-swirl.html \|title=Image Becomes a Puzzle as Theories on Te'o Swirl\|publisher=NY Times\|access-date=January 17, 2013\|date=January 17, 2013\|first=Steve\|last=Eder}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://deadspin.com/5977167/what-did-manti-teo-say-about-his-dead-girlfriend-after-hed-learned-she-wasnt-real?post=56376959\| title=What Did Manti Te'o Say About His Dead Girlfriend After He'd Learned She Wasn't Real?\|date=January 18, 2013\|publisher=Deadspin\|access-date=January 18, 2013\|first=Barry\|last=Petchesky}}</ref><ref name="perfect_mark">{{cite web \| url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/notre-dame-stands-manti-te-o-says-perfect-012348590--ncaaf.html\|title=Notre Dame stands by Manti Te'o, says he was 'perfect mark' for a hoax\|publisher=Yahoo\|access-date=January 17, 2013\|date=January 16, 2013\|first=Frank\|last=Schwab}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://deadspin.com/5976635/notre-dame-manti-teo-was-the-victim-of-mean-internet-people\|title=Notre Dame: Manti Te'o Was The Victim Of Mean Internet People\|work=]\|publisher=]\|first=Dom\|last=Cosentino\|date=January 16, 2013\|access-date=January 17, 2013}}</ref>

			In response to the growing suspicions that he was involved in the hoax, Te'o agreed to a January 18, 2013, interview with sports journalist ] in which he maintained his innocence. Te'o explained he had lied to his father and others about meeting her in person because he thought he would be seen as "crazy" for having a serious relationship with a woman he had never met in person.<ref name="ESPN_interview">{{cite web \| url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8859077/manti-teo-notre-dame-fighting-irish-denies-being-part-hoax-late-girlfriend\|title=Manti Te'o denies being part of hoax\|date=January 19, 2013 \| access-date=January 19, 2013\| publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Te'o said he was angered and confused by the December 6 phone call and had continued to speak of Kekua because the situation was unclear to him.<ref name="ESPN_interview" /> Te'o further explained that Tuiasosopo claimed to be a cousin of Lennay Kekua, and that the two of them had communicated online over the last several years and met once in person at the 2012 Notre Dame/USC game. Te'o said Tuiasosopo admitted responsibility for the hoax in a telephone conversation on January 16.<ref name="ESPN_interview" />

			In a January 24, 2013, interview on '']'' with ], Te'o played three voicemails left by Kekua and said the voice "sounds like a girl."<ref name="sounds_girl">{{cite web \| url=http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/01/25/manti-voicemail-messages-played-katie-couric/cwSr3Rq60rBOFcjUpiVaiP/story.html \| publisher=The Boston Globe\|access-date = January 25, 2013 \| date=January 25, 2013 \| first=Ralph \| last=Russo \| title=Manti Te'o voicemails aired}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|title=Manti Te'o to be interviewed by Katie Couric\|url=http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268753/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=fJ4rruo5\|work=Associated Press\|access-date=January 20, 2013\|date=January 20, 2013\|archive-date=November 10, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110063450/http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268753/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=fJ4rruo5\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="reporter_says_feminine">{{Cite web \|last=Schaap \|first=Jeremy \|date=January 25, 2013 \|title=Manti Te'o girlfriend voice at issue \|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8880021/ronaiah-tuiasosopo-cousin-was-voice-talking-manti-teo-report \|access-date=January 25, 2013 \|website=ESPN.com\|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In an appearance on '']'' on January 31 and February 1, Tuiasosopo confessed to the hoax and admitted to falling in love with Te'o and using the Kekua identity. Tuiasosopo also recreated the female voice behind a ].<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8900688/ronaiah-tuiasosopo-says-was-love-manti-teo\|title=Hoaxer was in love with Manti Te'o\|work=ESPN.com\|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures\|agency=Associated Press\|date=January 31, 2013\|access-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref> Relatives of Tuiasosopo told the '']'' that Kekua's voice belonged to Tuiasosopo's cousin.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Cousin of Te'o hoaxster revealed as the voice behind fake girlfriend, relatives confirm \|first=Eric \|last=Hansen \|author2=M.L. Nestel \|author3=Jeane Macintosh \|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/revealed_the_real_voice_of_fake_GfkurlQYJF0ZA6zzYtJmWI \|newspaper=New York Post \|date=January 25, 2013 \|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> Despite the revelation Kekua did not exist, NFL player ] said he met someone twice, claiming to be Kekua, and they had been introduced by Tuiasosopo, whom he believed to be Kekua's cousin.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-01-16/manti-teo-girlfriend-hoax-lennay-kekua-reagan-mauia-notre-dame-catfish\|title=Manti Te'o girlfriend hoax: Former NFL player says Lennay Kekua 'real,' met her in person\|publisher=]\|date=January 16, 2013\|access-date=January 17, 2013\|archive-date=January 19, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119101139/http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-01-16/manti-teo-girlfriend-hoax-lennay-kekua-reagan-mauia-notre-dame-catfish\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

			Te'o's experience was the subject of a ] documentary, '']'', which was released in August 2022.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Bastos \|first=Margarida \|date=July 19, 2022 \|title='Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist' Trailer Dives Into Manti Te'o's Catfishing Hoax \|url=https://collider.com/untold-the-girlfriend-who-didnt-exist-documentary-trailer-manti-te-o-catfish-netflix/ \|access-date=August 2, 2022 \|website=Collider \|language=en-US}}</ref>

			==Notes==
			{{notelist}}

	==References==		==References==
	{{Reflist\|30em}}		{{Reflist\|30em}}

			==Further reading==
			*{{cite magazine \|author=Zeman, Ned \|others=Additional reporting by Jaime Lalinde \|author-link=Ned Zeman \|date=Jun 2013 \|title=The boy who cried dead girlfriend \|department=Scandal \|magazine=Vanity Fair \|volume=634 \|pages=55–59 \|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2013/06/manti-teo-girlfriend-nfl-draft <!--\|access-date=2016-06-18-->}}

	==External links==		==External links==
			{{commons}}
	*
			*
	*
			* {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230073357/http://www.chargers.com/team/roster/Manti-Te%27o/e8339edc-40f3-47c8-9968-1912e1e86126 \|date=December 30, 2014 }}
	*{{Twitter\|MTeo_5}}
			*
	*Notre Dame Athletics Feature: {{YouTube\|QdAmbTzt7rE\|Strong of Heart}}
			*{{IMDb name \|id=5027297 }}
	*Notre Dame Athletics Feature: {{YouTube\|RqDmVqRRxcY\|The Hits, the Heart, the Heisman}}
	*Notre Dame Athletics Feature: {{YouTube\|r3G88FGJdMc\|HeIsManti}}
	*ESPN Feature: {{YouTube\|j_P1rcOAwEA\|Overcoming Tragedy}}
	*Hawaii News Now Feature:
	*
	*

			{{Navboxes
			\|title=Manti Te'o–Awards and honors
			\|list1=
			{{Dick Butkus Award (high school)}}
			{{USA Today DPOY}}
	{{2012 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}}		{{2012 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
	{{Maxwell Award}}		{{Maxwell Award}}
	{{Walter Camp Award}}		{{Walter Camp Award}}
			{{Lott Trophy}}
	{{Chuck Bednarik Award}}		{{Chuck Bednarik Award}}
	{{Lombardi Award}}		{{Lombardi Award}}
	{{Bronko Nagurski Trophy}}		{{Bronko Nagurski Trophy}}
	{{Dick Butkus Award (collegiate)}}		{{Dick Butkus Award (collegiate)}}
	{{~~Dick~~ ~~Butkus~~ Award ~~(high~~ ~~school)~~}}		{{Senior CLASS Award - Football}}
			{{Chargers2013DraftPicks}}
	{{USA Today DPOY}}
			}}
	{{SN Prep Athlete of the Year}}
			{{Authority control}}
			{{Portal bar\|Biography\|College football\|Hawaii}}

			{{DEFAULTSORT:Te'o, Manti}}
	{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
	\| NAME = Teo, Manti
	\| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
	\| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American football linebacker
	\| DATE OF BIRTH = January 26, 1991
	\| PLACE OF BIRTH = Laie, Hawaii
	\| DATE OF DEATH =
	\| PLACE OF DEATH =
	}}
	{{DEFAULTSORT:Teo, Manti}}
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Latest revision as of 04:13, 26 December 2024

American football player (born 1991)

American football player

Manti Te'o

Te'o with the San Diego Chargers in 2016

No. 50, 51, 57

Position:

Linebacker

Personal information

Born:

(1991-01-26) January 26, 1991 (age 33)
Laie, Hawaii, U.S.

Height:

6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)

Weight:

241 lb (109 kg)

Career information

High school:

Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii)

College:

Notre Dame (2009–2012)

NFL draft:

2013 / round: 2 / pick: 38

Career history

Career highlights and awards

Career NFL statistics

Total tackles:	307
Sacks:	1.5
Forced fumbles:	1
Fumble recoveries:	1
Interceptions:	2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Manti Malietau Louis Te'o (/ˈmæntaɪ ˈtɛʔoʊ/ MAN-ty TEH-'oh; born January 26, 1991) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, earning unanimous All-American honors and receiving multiple national awards. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft and played in the NFL until 2021.

In 2012, Te'o became the victim of a catfishing ruse when Naya Tuiasosopo created a fake online persona named Lennay Kekua with whom Te'o became romantically involved.

Early life

Te'o played for Punahou School, a private co-ed institution in Honolulu, where he had also attended middle school. Te'o began his varsity career in 2006 with stellar play that won him selection to the second-team all-state roster as a sophomore.

As a junior in 2007, Te'o was named the state defensive player of the year by the Honolulu Advertiser and the Gatorade state player of the year. He received first-team all-state honors while totaling 90 tackles and five sacks on defense and 400 rushing yards and ten touchdowns as a running back. Te'o drew considerable attention from colleges and recruiters in the process.

Te'o came into his senior year as one of the most celebrated players and recruits both on the state and national levels, landing on a number of national top ten recruiting lists before the start of the season. He received offers from over 30 college programs. During his senior year, Te'o helped lead Punahou to its first-ever state championship in football during the 2008 season. He amassed 129 tackles, including 11 sacks, forced three fumbles, tipped four passes and totaled 19 quarterback hurries. On offense at running back, Te'o rushed for 176 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and four touchdowns and had three receptions, two for touchdowns. He also had three touchdowns, returning one 49 yards for a touchdown. He also returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.

He received his second straight Gatorade state player of the year award for his play during the season and was named first-team all-state and the state defensive player of the year for the second straight season. Te'o was such a force that The Honolulu Advertiser considered just naming him the overall state player of the year. He is regarded as one of the most highly recruited athletes, both in football and for any sport, in the history of the state of Hawaii.

In 2008, Te'o won the inaugural Butkus Award at the high school level, awarded to the best prep linebacker in the United States. He was also named the 2008 Sporting News High School Athlete of the Year, becoming the first person from the state of Hawaii and the first athlete of Polynesian descent to receive the award. USA Today named Te'o the national Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-American. He is only the third high school player from Hawaii to be named to the USA Today All-American team, after Pat Kesi in 1990 and Jason Ching in 1995 (Ching, too, is a Punahou and Notre Dame alumnus). Te'o was also named to the 2009 Parade All-American team as well. On January 10, 2010, Te'o was named the Hawaii State Defensive Player of the Decade (2000–2009) by the Honolulu Advertiser.

College recruitment and rankings

Te'o was nationally regarded as one of the elite prospects of the class of 2009. Major recruiting service Rivals.com listed him as a five-star recruit—the first from Hawaii since Jonathan Mapu in 2002—and ranked him second among inside linebackers only behind Vontaze Burfict. Also listed as five-star recruit, Te'o was ranked as the No. 1 strongside linebacker in his class by Scout.com.

College recruiting information
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40	Commit date
Manti Te'o LB	Laie, HI	Punahou	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	4.6	Feb 4, 2009
Manti Te'o LB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 93

On National Signing Day of 2009, Te'o committed to the University of Notre Dame. He chose the Fighting Irish, then coached by Charlie Weis, over Brigham Young and Southern California. Te'o was the first USA Today Defensive Player of the Year to commit to the Irish since Kory Minor in 1995.

College career

Te'o enrolled in the University of Notre Dame, where he played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team from 2009 to 2012.

Freshman season

Te'o entered his first college game at the start of the second defensive series early in the second quarter versus Nevada on September 5, 2009. On his third snap Te'o tackled Wolf Pack quarterback Colin Kaepernick after an 11-yard gain on third and 15 for his first collegiate tackle. After playing, but not starting, his first three games, Te'o made his first collegiate start in the Irish's game versus Purdue. He played in all 12 games of his freshman season and finished the season with 63 tackles, the third-most tackles ever by a Notre Dame freshman behind Bob Golic (82 in 1975) and Ross Browner (68 in 1973). Te'o also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.

On December 8, 2009, Te'o was named a Freshman All-American by College Football News. He was also named a second-team Freshman All-American by Rivals.com.

Sophomore season

Te'o moved from outside to inside linebacker in 2010 as Notre Dame switched to a 3–4 defensive scheme under defensive coordinator Bob Diaco. On April 30, 2010, Te'o was named to the 2010 Lombardi Award & Nagurski Award watch lists.

Te'o led the Fighting Irish in tackles with 133, and was second in tackles for loss with 9.5. Against Stanford on September 25, Te'o finished with 21 total tackles. This total represents a career-high for Te'o and is also the most tackles in a game by an individual for Notre Dame since 2006.

Te'o was named one of 16 semifinalists for both the Butkus Award (Best Collegiate Linebacker) and the Bednarik Award for top College defensive player. He was also named a Second-team All-American by CNNSI.

Junior season

Te'o led the Fighting Irish in tackles for the second straight season in 2011 with 128. He also led the team in tackles for loss with 13.5 and finished second in sacks with 5.0.

Te'o was a finalist for the Butkus Award and the Lott Trophy and was selected as the 2011 FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Year.

Te'o was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Rivals.com, Phil Steele and CNNSI. He was also named to the Capital One Academic All-American second-team.

Senior season

Te’o announced on December 11, 2011, that he would return to Notre Dame for his senior season. Te'o entered his final season as one of 10 players in Notre Dame history to record over 300 career tackles and started the season eighth on the career tackles list for the Fighting Irish. During the season, Te’o was the leading tackler and leader in interceptions for a 12–0 Notre Dame team which had the second-ranked scoring defense (10.33 points per game) in the country. He had 103 tackles in the regular season (52 solo, 51 assisted, 8.58 per game), including 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks (one for 13 yards of Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones.) Te’o also led the team, as well as all FBS linebackers, in interceptions. Te’o's 7 interceptions during the 2012 season are the most by any FBS linebacker since 2001. He ranked third in the nation at 0.58 interceptions per game, and overall only Fresno State safety Phillip Thomas had more, with 8 interceptions that season. Te'o's season-high per game was 2 interceptions for 28 yards against Michigan.

In the 2012 season, Notre Dame ranked second in the nation in scoring defense (10.33 points per game) and ranked in the top 19 nationally in four other defensive categories: fifth in rushing defense (92.42 yards per game), sixth in total defense (287.25 yards per game), 12th in pass efficiency defense (105.58) and 19th in sacks (2.75 per game). Te'o's 8.58 tackles per game is three and a half more per game than the squad's next-most prolific tackler, Zeke Motta (5.09 per game).

Te'o is one of the most decorated defensive players in college football history. He won the 2012 Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year Lott Trophy, as well as the Maxwell Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Butkus Award, the Lombardi Award, and the Walter Camp Award. In addition, he was named a national scholar-athlete by the National Football Foundation. One of three finalists for the Heisman Trophy, Te'o eventually finished second in the voting to Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

In the BCS National Championship Game, Te'o recorded 10 tackles in a 42–14 loss to a 12–1 Alabama team which won its third national championship in four years. Alabama took control from the start and led 14–0 after the first quarter and extended its lead to a 28–0 score by halftime. Te'o finished with 7 assists and 3 solo tackles.

College statistics

Te'o has 437 total tackles in his four-year career at Notre Dame. He ranks third all-time in school history behind Bob Crable (521, 1978–81) and Bob Golic (479, 1975–78). He started in 47 consecutive games, beginning with the fourth game of his freshman season, at that point the longest streak of any linebacker in the country. He joins Crable as the second player in Notre Dame history to record 100+ tackles in three consecutive seasons.

All statistics from Notre Dame Official Athletic Site,

Year	Team	Games	Tackles				Sacks	Pass Defense				Fumbles		Blkd
Year	Team	Games	Solo	Ast	Total	TFL – Yds	No – Yds	Int – Yds	BU	PD	Qbh	Rcv – Yds	FF	Kick	Saf
2009	Notre Dame	12	29	34	63	5.5 – 25	1.0 – 12	0 – 0	1	1	1	0 – 0	0	0	0
2010	Notre Dame	13	66	67	133	9.5 – 34	1.0 – 7	0 – 0	3	3	3	0 – 0	1	0	0
2011	Notre Dame	13	62	66	128	13.5 – 36	5.0 – 23	0 – 0	2	2	4	0 – 0	1	0	0
2012	Notre Dame	13	55	58	113	5.5 – 19	1.5 – 13	7 – 35	4	11	4	2 – 8	0	0	0
Career		51	212	225	437	34.0 – 114	8.5 – 55	7 – 35	10	17	12	2 – 8	2	0	0

Professional career

Pre-draft

Te'o decided to return to Notre Dame after the 2011 season despite being projected a late first-round pick for the 2012 NFL draft as early as mid-season of 2011. In preseason mock drafts from May 2012, Te'o was listed as a late first-rounder for the 2013 NFL draft as well. By mid-season, he had moved up to the mid-first round. Notre Dame has not seen one of their linebackers selected in the first round since Bob Crable in 1982. At the conclusion of the 2012 college football season, Te'o signed with agent Tom Condon. He was training at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, in preparation for the NFL Draft.

Pre-draft measurables
Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 1+1⁄4 in (1.86 m)	241 lb (109 kg)	32+1⁄2 in (0.83 m)	9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m)	4.82 s	1.87 s	2.98 s	4.27 s	7.13 s	33 in (0.84 m)	9 ft 5 in (2.87 m)	21 reps
All values from NFL combine, except bench press (from Notre Dame Pro Day)

Te'o attended the NFL Combine under a lot of scrutiny by NFL teams. His comparably slow time of 4.82 in the 40-yard dash was disappointing, but he promised to "do a lot better" at his Notre Dame pro day. After the combine, Sports Illustrated projected Te'o to fall out of the first round. At Notre Dame Pro Day on March 26, Te'o ran faster according to ESPN's Todd McShay (hand-timed 4.75 and 4.71).

San Diego Chargers

2013 season

He was selected in the second round, 38th overall by the San Diego Chargers, as the second inside linebacker in the draft behind Alec Ogletree. "It's a perfect scenario. My parents can come and watch, I can go home, it's San Diego," said Te'o on draft day. He was the highest selected Notre Dame linebacker since Demetrius DuBose in 1993, until Jaylon Smith was selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.

On May 9, 2013, Te'o signed a four-year contract with the Chargers. The deal included a $2,141,768 signing bonus and was worth just over $5 million with over $3.1 million in guaranteed money. He was the second linebacker of Polynesian descent to play for the Chargers (after Junior Seau).

Te'o injured his right foot in the Chargers' preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks on August 8, which caused him to miss the remainder of preseason as well as the regular season opener against the Houston Texans. Te'o made his NFL debut in a week 4 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Te'o finished the game with three tackles as the Chargers won.

Te'o ended the season with 61 tackles and 4 passes defended in 13 games started.

2014 season

Te'o looked to improve from 2013; however, on September 23, 2014, Te'o suffered a fractured foot. He returned in the middle of the season against the Oakland Raiders. Against the New England Patriots, Te'o intercepted Tom Brady in the red zone, while covering Rob Gronkowski, for his first NFL interception. A few weeks later, in the Chargers comeback victory against the San Francisco 49ers, Te'o earned his first NFL sack by sacking Colin Kaepernick—coincidentally, the first player Te'o tackled in his collegiate career—on a 4th down play. Manti finished the season with 61 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 3 pass deflections.

2015 season

In 2015, Te'o had 63 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble. He missed four games in mid-season due to an ankle injury.

2016 season

On September 5, 2016, Te'o was named one of the Chargers' team captains for the 2016 season. On September 28, 2016, he was placed on injured reserve with a torn Achilles.

New Orleans Saints

On March 21, 2017, Te'o signed a two-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. He led the Saints in tackles for loss during the 2017 season. He was a healthy inactive for all but five games of the 2018 season and was not re-signed when his contract expired.

After Te'o did not play for most of the 2019 season, New Orleans re-signed him on December 3, 2019.

Chicago Bears

On October 20, 2020, Te'o was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad. He was placed on the practice squad/COVID-19 list by the team on December 7, 2020, and restored to the practice squad on December 19. He was elevated to the active roster on January 9, 2021, for the team's wild card playoff loss against the New Orleans Saints, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 18, 2021.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Tackles					Interceptions					Fumbles
Year	Team	GP	GS	Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	TFL	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	PD	FF	FR	Yds	TD
2013	SD	13	13	61	41	20	0.0	6	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0
2014	SD	10	6	60	39	21	1.0	3	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0
2015	SD	12	12	83	63	20	0.5	4	1	11	0	11	2	1	0	0	0
2016	SD	3	3	17	11	6	0.0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2017	NO	16	10	62	42	20	0.0	7	0	0	0	0	3	0	1	0	0
2018	NO	5	2	18	12	6	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
2019	NO	3	2	6	4	2	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
		62	48	307	212	95	1.5	22	2	11	0	11	13	1	1	0	0

Playoffs

Year	Team	Games		Tackles					Interceptions					Fumbles
Year	Team	GP	GS	Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	TFL	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	PD	FF	FR	Yds	TD
2013	SD	2	2	10	6	4	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2017	NO	2	2	15	8	7	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2020	CHI	1	1	6	4	2	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
		5	5	31	18	13	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Personal life

Te'o was born in Laie, Hawaii, on January 26, 1991, of Samoan ancestry. He is the son of Brian and Ottilia Te'o and has five siblings: sisters BrieAnne, Tiare, Eden, Maya and brother Manasseh.

In high school, Te'o had a 3.5 grade-point average and did volunteer work with the Shriners Hospital, Head Start preschool program, Hawai'i Food Bank and Special Olympics. Te'o also became an Eagle Scout in November 2008. Te'o is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In February 2020, Te'o became engaged to his girlfriend, personal trainer and beauty consultant Jovi Nicole Engbino. The couple married in San Diego, California, on August 29, 2020. Te'o has a daughter, Hiro Te'o, born August 12, 2021.

Te'o is a close friend of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, a fellow Samoan NFL player who grew up in Hawaii, and refers to Tagavailoa as his "little brother".

Te'o was a member of Netflix's broadcasting team for the 2024 NFL Christmas day games.

Catfishing incident

Te'o told many media outlets that both his grandmother and his girlfriend had died on September 12, 2012. Te'o said that his girlfriend, Stanford University student Lennay Kekua, had been injured in a car accident, and was discovered during her treatment to have leukemia. Te'o did not miss any football games for Notre Dame, saying that he had promised Kekua he would play even if something had happened to her. Many sports media outlets reported on these tragedies during Te'o's strong 2012 season and emergence as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

After receiving an anonymous email tip in January 2013, reporters Timothy Burke and Jack Dickey of the sports blog Deadspin conducted an investigation into Kekua's identity. On January 16, they published an article alleging Kekua did not exist and pointed to a man named Ronaiah "Naya" Tuiasosopo (/roʊˈnaɪə ˌtuːjɑːsoʊˈsoʊpoʊ/ roh-NY-ə TOO-yah-soh-SOH-poh) as involved in the hoax of a relationship with Te'o. Tuiasosopo has been described as a family friend or acquaintance of Te'o. Pictures of Kekua that had been published in the media were actually of a former high school classmate of Tuiasosopo.

On the same day the Deadspin article was published, Notre Dame issued a statement that "Manti had been the victim of what appears to be a hoax in which someone using the fictitious name Lennay Kekua apparently ingratiated herself with Manti and then conspired with others to lead him to believe she had tragically died of leukemia." In a press conference, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick confirmed the university had hired private investigators to uncover the source of the hoax, and he clarified that Te'o's relationship with Kekua was "exclusively an online relationship". This conflicted with previous accounts from Te'o and his family that the couple had first met after a football game. Swarbrick then visited Te'o in Hawaii. Swarbrick said Te'o informed Notre Dame of the hoax on December 26, 2012, after receiving a phone call on December 6 from the woman he knew as Kekua, claiming she was still alive. However, Te'o mentioned Kekua's death in at least four separate interviews in the days following the phone call.

In response to the growing suspicions that he was involved in the hoax, Te'o agreed to a January 18, 2013, interview with sports journalist Jeremy Schaap in which he maintained his innocence. Te'o explained he had lied to his father and others about meeting her in person because he thought he would be seen as "crazy" for having a serious relationship with a woman he had never met in person. Te'o said he was angered and confused by the December 6 phone call and had continued to speak of Kekua because the situation was unclear to him. Te'o further explained that Tuiasosopo claimed to be a cousin of Lennay Kekua, and that the two of them had communicated online over the last several years and met once in person at the 2012 Notre Dame/USC game. Te'o said Tuiasosopo admitted responsibility for the hoax in a telephone conversation on January 16.

In a January 24, 2013, interview on Katie with Katie Couric, Te'o played three voicemails left by Kekua and said the voice "sounds like a girl." In an appearance on Dr. Phil on January 31 and February 1, Tuiasosopo confessed to the hoax and admitted to falling in love with Te'o and using the Kekua identity. Tuiasosopo also recreated the female voice behind a privacy screen. Relatives of Tuiasosopo told the New York Post that Kekua's voice belonged to Tuiasosopo's cousin. Despite the revelation Kekua did not exist, NFL player Reagan Maui'a said he met someone twice, claiming to be Kekua, and they had been introduced by Tuiasosopo, whom he believed to be Kekua's cousin.

Te'o's experience was the subject of a Netflix documentary, Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist, which was released in August 2022.

Notes

Despite the Hawaiian origin, his last name does not use an ʻokina, but rather an apostrophe.

References

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External links

New Orleans Saints bio
Los Angeles Chargers bio Archived December 30, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio
Manti Te'o at IMDb

Manti Te'o–Awards and honors

v t e Butkus Award winners (high school)
2008: Te'o 2009: Hicks 2010: Steward 2011: Davis 2012: Smith 2013: McMillan 2014: Jefferson 2015: Kelly 2016: Moses 2017: Tuliaupupu 2018: Dean 2019: Flowe 2020: Kollie 2021: Murphy 2022: Bowen 2023: Brown 2024: Jones

USA Today High School Football Defensive Player of the Year winners

1982: Harris
1983: Stallworth
1984: McDonald
1985: Foley
1986: Spindler
1987: Collins
1988: Gilbert
1989: Gibson
1990: D. Brooks
1991: Daniels
1992: German
1993: Green
1994: Minor
1995: Katzenmoyer
1996: Warren
1997: Johnson
1998: Redding
1999: Williams
2000: Cody
2001: A. Brooks
2002: Cromartie
2003: Ginn
2004: Phillips
2005: McCoy
2006: Austin
2007: Peterson
2008: Te'o
2009: Joyner
2010: Clowney
2011: Edwards Jr.
2012: Cravens
2013: Peppers
2014: Thompson
2015: Gary
2016: Wade
2017: Tuliaupupu
2018: Thibodeaux
2019: Flowe
2020: McKinstry
2021: Nolen
2022: Downs
2023: Brown

2012 College Football All-America Team consensus selections

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Maxwell Award winners

1937: Frank
1938: O'Brien
1939: Kinnick
1940: Harmon
1941: Dudley
1942: Governali
1943: Odell
1944: G. Davis
1945: Blanchard
1946: Trippi
1947: D. Walker
1948: Bednarik
1949: Hart
1950: Bagnell
1951: Kazmaier
1952: Lattner
1953: Lattner
1954: Beagle
1955: Cassady
1956: McDonald
1957: Reifsnyder
1958: Dawkins
1959: Lucas
1960: Bellino
1961: Ferguson
1962: Baker
1963: Staubach
1964: Ressler
1965: Nobis
1966: Lynch
1967: Beban
1968: Simpson
1969: Reid
1970: Plunkett
1971: Marinaro
1972: Van Pelt
1973: Cappelletti
1974: Joachim
1975: Griffin
1976: Dorsett
1977: Browner
1978: Fusina
1979: C. White
1980: Green
1981: Allen
1982: H. Walker
1983: Rozier
1984: Flutie
1985: Long
1986: Testaverde
1987: McPherson
1988: Sanders
1989: Thompson
1990: Detmer
1991: Howard
1992: Torretta
1993: Ward
1994: Collins
1995: George
1996: Wuerffel
1997: P. Manning
1998: R. Williams
1999: Dayne
2000: Brees
2001: Dorsey
2002: Johnson
2003: E. Manning
2004: J. White
2005: V. Young
2006: Quinn
2007: Tebow
2008: Tebow
2009: McCoy
2010: Newton
2011: Luck
2012: Te'o
2013: McCarron
2014: Mariota
2015: Henry
2016: Jackson
2017: Mayfield
2018: Tagovailoa
2019: Burrow
2020: Smith
2021: B. Young
2022: C. Williams
2023: Penix Jr.
2024: Jeanty

Walter Camp Award winners

1967: Simpson
1968: Simpson
1969: Owens
1970: Plunkett
1971: Sullivan
1972: Rodgers
1973: Cappelletti
1974: Griffin
1975: Griffin
1976: Dorsett
1977: MacAfee
1978: Sims
1979: White
1980: Green
1981: Allen
1982: H. Walker
1983: Rozier
1984: Flutie
1985: B. Jackson
1986: Testaverde
1987: Brown
1988: Sanders
1989: Thompson
1990: Ismail
1991: Howard
1992: Torretta
1993: Ward
1994: Salaam
1995: George
1996: Wuerffel
1997: Woodson
1998: R. Williams
1999: Dayne
2000: Heupel
2001: Crouch
2002: Johnson
2003: Fitzgerald
2004: Leinart
2005: Bush
2006: T. Smith
2007: McFadden
2008: McCoy
2009: McCoy
2010: Newton
2011: Luck
2012: Te'o
2013: Winston
2014: Mariota
2015: Henry
2016: L. Jackson
2017: Mayfield
2018: Tagovailoa
2019: Burrow
2020: D. Smith
2021: K. Walker III
2022: C. Williams
2023: Daniels
2024: Hunter

v t e Lott Trophy winners
2004: Pollack 2005: Ryans 2006: D. Hughes 2007: Dorsey 2008: Laurinaitis 2009: J. Hughes 2010: Watt 2011: Kuechly 2012: Te'o 2013: Barr 2014: Kendricks 2015: Nassib 2016: Peppers 2017: Jewell 2018: Allen 2019: Brown 2020: Fisher 2021: Hutchinson 2022: Anderson 2023: Colson 2024: Hunter

Chuck Bednarik Award winners

1995: Fitzgerald
1996: Fitzgerald
1997: Woodson
1998: Nguyen
1999: Arrington
2000: Morgan
2001: Peppers
2002: Henderson
2003: Lehman
2004: Pollack
2005: Posluszny
2006: Posluszny
2007: Connor
2008: Maualuga
2009: Suh
2010: Peterson
2011: Mathieu
2012: Te'o
2013: Donald
2014: Wright
2015: Matakevich
2016: Jon. Allen
2017: Fitzpatrick
2018: Jos. Allen
2019: Young
2020: Collins
2021: Davis
2022: Anderson
2023: Wilson
2024: Hunter

Lombardi Award winners

1970: Stillwagon
1971: Patulski
1972: Glover
1973: Hicks
1974: White
1975: Selmon
1976: Whitley
1977: Browner
1978: Clark
1979: Budde
1980: Green
1981: Sims
1982: Rimington
1983: Steinkuhler
1984: Degrate
1985: Casillas
1986: Bennett
1987: Spielman
1988: Rocker
1989: Snow
1990: Zorich
1991: Emtman
1992: Jones
1993: Taylor
1994: Sapp
1995: Pace
1996: Pace
1997: Wistrom
1998: Nguyen
1999: Moore
2000: Reynolds
2001: Peppers
2002: Suggs
2003: Harris
2004: Pollack
2005: Hawk
2006: Woodley
2007: Dorsey
2008: Orakpo
2009: Suh
2010: Fairley
2011: Kuechly
2012: Te'o
2013: Donald
2014: Wright
2015: Nassib
2016: Allen
2017: Love
2018: Amadi
2019: Burrow
2020: Collins
2021: Hutchinson
2022: Anderson
2023: Latu
2024: Banks Jr.

Bronko Nagurski Trophy winners

1993: Waldrop
1994: Sapp
1995: Fitzgerald
1996: Fitzgerald
1997: Woodson
1998: Bailey
1999: Moore
2000: Morgan
2001: Williams
2002: Suggs
2003: Strait
2004: Johnson
2005: Dumervil
2006: Laurinaitis
2007: Dorsey
2008: Orakpo
2009: Suh
2010: Bowers
2011: Kuechly
2012: Te'o
2013: Donald
2014: Wright
2015: Matakevich
2016: Jon. Allen
2017: Chubb
2018: Jos. Allen
2019: Young
2020: Collins
2021: Anderson
2022: Anderson
2023: Watts
2024: Kennard

Butkus Award winners (collegiate)

1985: Bosworth
1986: Bosworth
1987: McGowan
1988: Thomas
1989: Snow
1990: Williams
1991: Anderson
1992: Jones
1993: Alberts
1994: Howard
1995: Hardy
1996: Russell
1997: Katzenmoyer
1998: Claiborne
1999: Arrington
2000: Morgan
2001: Calmus
2002: Henderson
2003: Lehman
2004: Johnson
2005: Posluszny
2006: Willis
2007: Laurinaitis
2008: Curry
2009: McClain
2010: Miller
2011: Kuechly
2012: Te'o
2013: Mosley
2014: Kendricks
2015: J. Smith
2016: Foster
2017: R. Smith
2018: White
2019: Simmons
2020: Owusu-Koramoah
2021: Dean
2022: Campbell
2023: Wilson
2024: Walker

v t e Senior CLASS Award – Football
2008: Laurinaitis 2009: Tebow 2010: Dobbs 2011: Cousins 2012: Te'o 2013: Urschel 2014: Abdullah 2015: Prescott 2016: Butt 2017: Griffin 2018: Grier 2019: Brown 2020: Kaniho 2021: Pickett

v t e San Diego Chargers 2013 NFL draft selections
D. J. Fluker Manti Te'o Keenan Allen Steve Williams Tourek Williams Brad Sorensen

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