In light of the continual headlines NOT RELATED TO SPORT about Te'o, I have realized that something is really wrong with our world. Do people not have their own life to worry about? Who cares about the details of Te'o's unfortunate "relationship" to the point that it is a national news story?
Who cares?? Probably the same people who live for the reality shows that feature non-stop drama, similar to that of WWE wrestling (FAKE/SCRIPTED is what I am implying). Probably people who are "haters" and want everyone to be at their level, which is not a level I wish to associate with. Anyone interested in the details of this ordeal, or who seeks to judge Manti and "bring him down" (including Katie Couric) needs to re-evaluate their own life!
Te'o gained notoriety through his CFB performance this year at Notre Dame. He is 21 years old. How many college-aged individuals have had relationships that they are less than proud of, or have experienced situations in which they have not make the best choices? How many had the pressure of competing at the level of play Te'o did? With the media following every move? And how many have accomplished what he has this past year? Only a very, very, very few (in fact there were only 3 Heisman candidates if we measure his success that way).
Te'o deserves the respect he has earned, and instead of worrying about a lie he told to the media vultures to "save face," we should focus on the fact that he has accomplished more than most people could ever dream of accomplishing in a lifetime, and he has kept his character impeccable throughout his career. People lacking common sense, empathy, and who "live in glass houses" but never evaluate themselves, are the ones throwing stones right now.
People should not be so quick to judge over something that should be a private ordeal Manti had to deal with emotionally.
Before this ordeal, anything I would have posted regarding Te'o would have referenced the performance he had against the Crimson Tide in the BCS Championship. Alabama revealed Te'o as an average SEC linebacker at best. His stats do not tell the whole story. I dare say anyone who watched the game saw a different player (specifically a less effective, less powerful, slower, and less agile player) that night.
The announcers continually noted Te'o was not the force he had been throughout the season, and that he had little presence throughout the game. But how many SEC teams did Notre Dame play this year? Only Alabama.
Who would have preferred another SEC match-up? :)
Kelly Brooks, Ph.D.
Te'o's stats and awards:
http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/517633/manti-teo
Notre Dame's schedule
http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/87/notre-dame-fighting-irish
I cannot help but refer to the comment I posted in the article concerning Lance Armstrong. Since Manti Te'o is nationally recognized and makes a living off being an athlete of course American media is going to leak his story and increase the drama. I am not as quick to say that America is bored but more so judgmental, covetous, and uncouth. The people who cover his story and solicit the coverage were educated on how to do so – they studied how to put others out there. Going back to the “Lance” comment, since Te’o is an athlete and in a position that millions of others dream of obtaining, any wrong step an athlete makes is a detrimental one (to journalists’ eyes) that must be immediately made aware to the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteI remember Dr. Ocker making a good point in sport management two years ago. She said, “what if Dara, a non-athlete, committed murder and on the same night, Caitlin, who is a runner for TAMUCC (an athlete), was pulled over an arrested for drunk driving – who do you think will make the headlines the next morning?” You guess it – Caitlin. Why? Because she is an athlete.
The entire situation about Te'o to me is just bizarre. I for one do not like the idea of online dating because of horrible incidences such as Manti's. Most people on dating websites tend to lie and this has been a known problem for years. Furthermore, being in the public eye he should be more cautious with his decisions and be truthful. My point is Manti should know what he is getting himself into. In addition to my dislike of online dating I for one do not care about celebrities or athletes dating or getting marital status because, it is a complete waste of time. Therefore I agree as well as to why do people care so much about this event let us just watch football. It is sad to see successful people judged so harshly.
ReplyDeleteI think its terrible how our society has been so fixated on celebrities or athlete's personal lives. its become so bad that some of them are becoming more famous than what they are famous for. However to reverse this, athletes are always in the public's eye and need to accept the responsibility of being a role model and be cognizant of their actions. In my opinion when athletes commit crimes, that is something that should be exploited and should prove to the public that they are not above the law. All this being said, the Te'o ordeal, is something that should not have been blown so way out of proportion, his love life ( or lack of) is not any of our business and the only things that should be on sportscenter is his terrible performance against alabama and at the NFL combine.
ReplyDeleteThe significance of Manti Te’o fake girlfriend scandal really does sicken me. The impact that this very incident will eventually play in the factoring of pay with the contract that he signs, with whatever team signs him. This entire incident proves exactly what the very blog is questioning. That America is, in fact, very bored and that everyone is superficially preoccupied with their smug thoughts about the actions of those in the spotlight. The obsession with the truly scripted actions that happen in reality TV is ridiculous and can only bring to light the further crumbling of society and its intellect. This is going to only get worse and will hurt only those who work hard to get where they are and whose talents truly overshadow their actions, no matter how idiotic they may be. The America, that we live in today, no longer sees athlete and fortune 500 CEO’s as people that are figures that are to be looked up to and respected. Instead, with so much emphasis of the media and celebrities and their wild antics that are done only to keep the spotlight on them so they won’t be forgotten, long after their careers are down the drain. I hate to say it, but when a reality TV. show actually has the clout to place an average Joe on an NFL team. The entire point behind making it to the pros is years of hard work, dedication, and talent that is recognized by an actual scout in a game. Not by some judges, chosen by producers for the sole purpose of getting the highest rankings in a time slot during daytime television. Manti Te’os talent completely overshadows this media flop of a story that has arisen. The story could in fact harm the progress of his career, and his play time with whatever team that signs him
ReplyDeleteThe significance of Manti Te’o fake girlfriend scandal really does sicken me. The impact that this very incident will eventually play in the factoring of pay with the contract that he signs, with whatever team signs him. This entire incident proves exactly what the very blog is questioning. That America is, in fact, very bored and that everyone is superficially preoccupied with their smug thoughts about the actions of those in the spotlight. The obsession with the truly scripted actions that happen in reality TV is ridiculous and can only bring to light the further crumbling of society and its intellect. This is going to only get worse and will hurt only those who work hard to get where they are and whose talents truly overshadow their actions, no matter how idiotic they may be. The America, that we live in today, no longer sees athlete and fortune 500 CEO’s as people that are figures that are to be looked up to and respected. Instead, with so much emphasis of the media and celebrities and their wild antics that are done only to keep the spotlight on them so they won’t be forgotten, long after their careers are down the drain. I hate to say it, but when a reality TV. show actually has the clout to place an average Joe on an NFL team. The entire point behind making it to the pros is years of hard work, dedication, and talent that is recognized by an actual scout in a game. Not by some judges, chosen by producers for the sole purpose of getting the highest rankings in a time slot during daytime television. Manti Te’os talent completely overshadows this media flop of a story that has arisen. The story could in fact harm the progress of his career, and his play time with whatever team that signs him
ReplyDelete