Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o was reportedly just about set to interview with ESPN's Jeremy Schaap on Thursday to address the news that his girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, never existed. However, Notre Dame beat reporter Brian Hamilton relays word from Chicago's ESPN affiliate that the interview is reportedly now off:
Manti Te’o interview with ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap reportedly canceled
Te’o was reportedly to discuss the stunning news about Lennay Kekua in an interview with Jeremy Schaap on Thursday.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
By the way, on @waddleandsilvy, the guys told me Bristol called. ESPN/Schaap sitdown with Manti Te'o was "scrapped." Just passing it along.
— Brian Hamilton (@ChiTribHamilton) January 17, 2013
An investigative report from Deadspin.com broke the initial story, and statements from both Notre Dame and Te’o were quick to follow. The school said that Te’o informed the Irish coaching staff on Dec. 26 of last year that he’d been the victim of a hoax. Te’o expressed his dismay over the situation in his own statement, calling the situation “painful and humiliating.”
The story of Kekua, who supposedly died not long after Te’o’s grandmother passed away in September of 2012, became a major part of the narrative surrounding Te’o throughout the college football season. A number of stories were written about their relationship, and how she had inspired his play.
Many questions linger in the aftermath of Deadspin’s report, and Te’o’s eventual explanation will hopefully provide clarity to a bizarre and confusing situation.
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