Notre Dame’s Athletic Director issued a statement tonight of support for star Lineman Manti’ Teo, despite reports he fabricated a story about a girlfriend who died of leukemia last September, reports Yahoo.
“I want to stress, as someone who has been engaged in this as anyone the past couple weeks, that nothing I have learned has shaken my faith in Manti Te’o one iota,” Jack Swarbrick said. “The same great young man, great student and great athlete that we have been so proud to have as a member of our family is the same guy tonight, unchanged in any way except for, as he indicated in the statement, his release, the embarrassment of being a victim in this case.”
Here’s how the story goes, according to Deadspin. Teo’s Grandmother died on Sept 11, 2012 of last year. That story has been confirmed. Six hours later, Te’o said his girlfriend also died. Despite a heavy heart, Teo went out and played against Michigan State, made 12 tackles and Notre Dame upset Michigan 20 – 3. Deadspin’s report says it can find no record of the girlfriend, let alone a death.
Teo now say he was a victim of a hoax. He says his relationship with his girlfriend was on line. Te’o may call a news conference tomorrow to tell his side of the story.