Te’o nearly won the 2012 Heisman Trophy, as he was the star defensive player for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He took home nearly every major defensive award in college football that year. Notre Dame was an undefeated 12-0 heading into the BCS National Championship game vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide, but all we remember about him is his embarrassing catfishing saga and how his dead girlfriend inspired his run to the BCS National Championship Game and Heisman ceremony. The only thing is she didn’t exist.
https://fansided.com/2020/06/29/manti-teo-girlfriend-backstory-espn/
https://fansided.com/2020/06/29/manti-teo-girlfriend-backstory-espn/