Manti Te'o- Is America that bored?

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