Notre Dame: Football Player Victim Of Hoax
By: NBC News
Updated: January 16, 2013
The University of Notre Dame confirms a report about a hoax involving one of their football players.
Notre Dame star linebacker Manti Te'o received national attention in September when his girlfriend and his grandmother died within hours of each other.
But the website Deadspin first reported Wednesday that no record exists of the girlfriend and that she's a fictional on-line persona.
Notre Dame then announced that Manti Te'o told his coaches on December 26th that he was the victim of the hoax, which began in 2009.
Te'o says he's embarrassed and didn't know his on-line and over the phone relationship with the supposed girlfriend was all a hoax.
Notre Dame officials say they are investigating the hoax.
Notre Dame star linebacker Manti Te'o received national attention in September when his girlfriend and his grandmother died within hours of each other.
But the website Deadspin first reported Wednesday that no record exists of the girlfriend and that she's a fictional on-line persona.
Notre Dame then announced that Manti Te'o told his coaches on December 26th that he was the victim of the hoax, which began in 2009.
Te'o says he's embarrassed and didn't know his on-line and over the phone relationship with the supposed girlfriend was all a hoax.
Notre Dame officials say they are investigating the hoax.
