Skip to main content

Chargers' Manti Te'o on fake girlfriend: 'Find a new joke'

San Diego Chargers linebacker Manti Te'o said it is time for opponents to "find a new joke" besides his fake girlfriend from his time at Notre Dame. Te'o was "catfished" into thinking he was dating a girl and received publicity for playing after she reportedly died during the 2012 season.
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

San Diego Chargers linebacker Manti Te'o said it is time for opponents to "find a new joke" besides his fake girlfriend from his time at Notre Dame, Michael Gehlken of the U-T San Diego reports.

Te'o was "catfished" into thinking he was dating a girl and received publicity for playing after she reportedly died during the 2012 season. It was later revealed to be a hoax.

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle tweeted that he taunted Te'o during Saturday's game and received a strong reaction.

• BURKE: 2014 All-Disappointment Team

On Monday, Te'o told the media that he has moved past the incident and hopes his opponents will do the same.

"I got harassed a few times last year (on the field). I expected that. But this year?" Te'o said. "I told him, 'Find a new joke.' "

Te'o, who finished second behind Johnny Manziel in Heisman voting in 2012, was selected by the Chargers in the second round of the 2013 draft. He missed six games with a fractured foot this season and has 48 combined tackles, one sack and one interception this season.

• NFL Playoff Picture after Week 16 |2015 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

The Chargers beat the 49ers, 38-35, in overtime to improve to 9-6 on the season. They are currently the No. 6 seed in the AFC by virtue of a tiebreaker over the Baltimore Ravens. They play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

- Paul Palladino