Comments on: Manti Te’o: What if he had won the Heisman

By: Wally Burdalski

Wally Burdalski — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 14:29:27 +0000

First of all. There were 5 or 6 defensive players around the country that had better years than Teo. The fact that he played for Notre Dame and his supposed story got him to NY.
If he had won, it would have been an embarrassment .
Mostly because he was exposed against real athletes in the Alabama game. He was slow. Couldn’t get off blocks. Big strong backs ran through his tackles.
Why do you think he may drop out of the first round in the draft.
Film doesn’t lie!

By: Peter Gunter

Peter Gunter — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:37:31 +0000

David S. Rutty of Brisbane, California appears to be the person you are looking for who is Lennay Kekua in the Manti Te’o story, Rutty has been charged with fake gender “Catfishing” multiple times.

He is one sick puppy.

SEE: http://pulp.orangephotography.com/blog/archives/2006/10/party_crashers.php

and many other references in online and legal filings

By: MikeFoxtrotTango

MikeFoxtrotTango — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 01:28:28 +0000

“Seemed like it would be good for a defensive guy to win it. Seemed like it would be good to quell the runaway momentum of all things SEC. Seemed like a great feel-good story.”

What an absolutely horrible way to choose a Heisman winner. I hoped you’ve learned your lesson.

By: Tallybo

Tallybo — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:22:11 +0000

Forgive me if this sounds like a baseball argument, but the main difference I see between Bush and Te’o is that Bush cheated the game. He had advantages afforded to him that neither most of his opponents nor most of his teammates did not have. Assuming Te’o was complicit, he cheated the emotions of his fans and Heisman voters.

By: Mickey

Mickey — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:38:55 +0000

I just don’t understand what this whole fiasco has to do with Heisman trophy voting? If Te’o would’ve won the Heisman, how could you want to take it back? Are we admitting that Heisman voters are influenced by personal stories and not by what’s done on the field? That stinks! That’s EXACTLY what’s wrong with the Heisman trophy–it’s always been debated whether or not it’s given to the best overall player or the best player on the best team. Now we want to revoke it if his personal story doesn’t check out? He didn’t break any rules, laws, or violate NCAA regulations. I admit it’s a strange story, but it doesn’t change my mind about his 2012 football performance. If I had a guess, I’d say Te’o is a better person the Manziel, but who cares? Heisman voters shouldn’t.

By: John in Yukon

John in Yukon — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:42:44 +0000

My guess is that if Te’o had won the Heisman, his non-existent dead girlfriend wouldn’t have attended the ceremonies!

By: Galileo, Houston

Galileo, Houston — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:09:04 +0000

A couple of points.

1. Don’t blame Berry Tramel for the shoddy sports reporting. He didn’t plaster the Manti Story all over the tube, ESPN and Sports Illustrated did. (I never watch NBC but I assume they did as well because of their relationship with Notre Dame).

2. This entire sordid story illustrates how ridiculous and illegitimate is American sport’s premier individual award, the Heisman trophy. That Teo was even a top Heisman candidate is almost 100% due to his unique human interest story that the media peddled incessantly — and almost nothing to do with his linebacker skills. It’s even debatable if he was even the best linebacker in the country. Without the human interest story that captured the fancy of the media and the Heisman voters, Manti Teo would have been just another All-American linebacker. Nothing more, nothing less. We have 3 of those every season and none of them ever register on the Heisman radar.

The Heisman is a complete joke because it is no longer a post-season trophy awarded to the most qualified person decided after the season ends. Instead it has morphed into a season-long “campaign race” (complete with Heisman “candidates” instead of mere qualified nominees).

By: Lxxiv

Lxxiv — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:46:43 +0000

I would say that it should have been the South Bend and national media that investigated Te’o's story rather than sports reporters from all over the country. Local people have enough to do trying to keep up with the demands of their own state and local stories.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:11:58 +0000

I agree somewhat with Lxxiv but I also agree with Chris that the real problem is the total lack of reporting by the so called sports media. Te’o knew what a gullible bunch of idiots they were and now so does everyone else. Look at the reporters to focus on how Te’o was either duped or was duped, but not one of them will admit they didn’t do their jobs at all. If Johnny Manziel tells ESPN he was abducted by aliens then I guess not one sports reporter will even think to question that and want some kind of proof. Berry Trammel and all the other sports media did not do their jobs. I agree with Chris that an apology by sports departments nationwide is called for.

By: Lxxiv

Lxxiv — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:48:40 +0000

Sorry Chris, but there are character considerations involved with the Heisman Trophy and deliberately misleading voters seems to me to be a violation of those standards. The ends do not justify the means in this case. Berry is right.