Manti Te'o

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.{{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}} 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.{{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 }} 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.{{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}} 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.{{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 }} 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).{{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}} Te'o was also named to the 2009 Parade All-American team as well.{{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}} On January 10, 2010, Te'o was named the Hawaii State Defensive Player of the Decade (2000–2009) by the Honolulu Advertiser.{{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}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-2128|title=Rivals.com|website=sports.yahoo.com}} Also listed as five-star recruit, Te'o was ranked as the No. 1 strongside linebacker in his class by Scout.com.

{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=yes|collapse=no|year=2012}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Manti Te'o

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On National Signing Day of 2009, Te'o committed to the University of Notre Dame.{{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}} 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.

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

{{See also|2009 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team}}

File:Mantiteo2010.jpg.]]

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.{{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}} 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).{{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}} 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.{{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 }} He was also named a second-team Freshman All-American by Rivals.com.{{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}}

{{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 3–4 defensive scheme under defensive coordinator Bob Diaco.{{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}} On April 30, 2010, Te'o was named to the 2010 Lombardi Award & Nagurski Award watch lists.{{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}}

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.{{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 }}

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.{{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 }} He was also named a Second-team All-American by CNNSI.{{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 }}

{{See also|2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team}}

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.{{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 }}

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.

{{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. 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}} 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.{{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 }}

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.{{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}}

All statistics from Notre Dame Official Athletic Site,{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

Te'o decided to return to Notre Dame after the 2011 season{{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 }} despite being projected a late first-round pick for the 2012 NFL draft as early as mid-season of 2011.{{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 }} In preseason mock drafts from May 2012, Te'o was listed as a late first-rounder for the 2013 NFL draft as well.{{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}}{{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}} By mid-season, he had moved up to the mid-first round.{{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 }} 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.{{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}}

{{NFL predraft

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| note = All values from NFL combine, except bench press (from Notre Dame Pro Day){{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}}{{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}}

}}

Te'o attended the NFL Combine under a lot of scrutiny by NFL teams.{{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=New York Times |date=February 23, 2013 |first=Judy |last=Battista }} 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.{{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 }} After the combine, Sports Illustrated projected Te'o to fall out of the first round.{{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 }} 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).{{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 }}

He was selected in the second round, 38th overall by the San Diego Chargers,{{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=NFL.com }} as the second inside linebacker in the draft behind Alec Ogletree.{{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}} "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.{{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 }} 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.{{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=NFL.com }} The deal included a $2,141,768 signing bonus and was worth just over $5 million with over $3.1 million in guaranteed money.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/15867/manti-teo|title=Manti Te'o|website=ESPN.com}}

In 2015, Te'o had 63 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/15867/manti-teo|title=Manti Te'o|website=ESPN.com}} He missed four games in mid-season due to an ankle injury.{{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}}

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

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

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

On October 20, 2020, Te'o was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad.{{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=Chicago Bears|date=October 20, 2020|access-date=October 20, 2020}} He was placed on the practice squad/COVID-19 list by the team on December 7, 2020,{{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}} and restored to the practice squad on December 19.{{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}} 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.{{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}} His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 18, 2021.{{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}}

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

In high school, Te'o had a 3.52 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.{{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 }} Te'o is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.{{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}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-13 |title=What Manti Te'o said about his faith on recent podcast appearance |url=https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/03/12/what-manti-teo-said-about-faith-forgiveness-on-podcast/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}

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.{{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}} Te'o has a daughter, Hiro Te'o, born August 12, 2021, and a son, Kyro Te'o, born January 16, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Who Is Manti Te'o's Wife? All About Jovi Nicole Te'o |url=https://people.com/sports/who-is-jovi-nicole-teo-manti-teo-wife/#:~:text=The%20couple%20welcomed%20their%20first,Forever%20grateful%20for%20my%20wife. |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=People.com |language=en}}

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".{{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=The Palm Beach Post|date=September 13, 2024|accessdate=September 14, 2024}}

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

In August 2024, NFL Network announced that Te'o would join the network as an on-air analyst.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-29 |title=Manti Te'o has a new job working in football |url=https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/08/29/manti-teo-nfl-network/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Rudolph |first=Justin |date=2024-08-15 |title=Manti Te'o reveals why he joined NFL Network |url=https://www.on3.com/pro/news/manti-teo-reveals-why-he-joined-nfl-network/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=On3 |language=en}} He is a regular commentator on Good Morning Football.

Te'o told many media outlets that both his grandmother and his girlfriend had died on September 12, 2012.{{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 }} 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} Many sports media outlets reported on these tragedies during Te'o's strong 2012 season and emergence as a Heisman Trophy candidate.{{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}}

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 ({{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 hoax of a relationship with Te'o.{{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}} Tuiasosopo has been described as a family friend or acquaintance of Te'o.{{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}} Pictures of Kekua that had been published in the media were actually of a former high school classmate of Tuiasosopo.{{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}}

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."{{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}}{{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=USAToday.com|publisher=Gannett Company|first=Paul|last=Myerberg|date=January 16, 2013|access-date=January 17, 2013}}{{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}} 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".{{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=CBSSports.com|publisher=CBS Interactive|first=Tom|last=Fornelli|date=January 16, 2013|access-date=January 17, 2013}} 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.{{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 }}{{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 = Sports Illustrated | first=Pete | last=Thamel |author-link=Pete Thamel | access-date=January 18, 2013 | date=January 17, 2013}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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=Deadspin|publisher=Gawker Media|first=Dom|last=Cosentino|date=January 16, 2013|access-date=January 17, 2013}}

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.{{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}} 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."{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}} Relatives of Tuiasosopo told the New York Post that Kekua's voice belonged to Tuiasosopo's cousin.{{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}} 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.{{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=SportingNews.com|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}}

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

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{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 }}

{{commons}}

• [https://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/players-roster/manti-te-o/ New Orleans Saints bio]
• [http://www.chargers.com/team/roster/Manti-Te'o/e8339edc-40f3-47c8-9968-1912e1e86126 Los Angeles Chargers bio] {{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 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170420120030/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/teo_manti00.html Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio]
• {{IMDb name |id=5027297 }}

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Category:1991 births

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Category:Chicago Bears players

Category:Walter Camp Award winners

Category:Pacific Islander American players of American football

Category:Maxwell Award winners