Manti Te’o is a former American football linebacker who played college football at Notre Dame. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Te’o played high school football for Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii. Manti Te’o’s parents are of Samoan descent, and he has five brothers and sisters. One of his brothers, Tua Te’o, is also a football player and was on the same team as Manti Te’o in high school.
Manti Te’o attended Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii from 2002 to 2009. As a senior in 2009, he was named the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year, the Maxwell Award winner as the nation’s top player, and the USA Today High School Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named to the Parade Magazine All-America team.
Te’o played college football for Notre Dame from 2010 to 2012. As a freshman in 2010, he started all 13 games for the Irish and was named a Freshman All-American by College Football News. In 2011, Te’o started all 13 games again and was named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press. He was also a finalist for the Lombardi Award and the Nagurski Trophy. In 2012, Te’o won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and was once again named a First Team All-American. He was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and the Walter Camp Award.
Te’o was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played for the Chargers for three seasons from 2013 to 2015. In 2016, he signed with the New Orleans Saints and played for them for one season. In 2017, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings but was released before the season began. Te’o has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Oakland Raiders. Meet Manti Te’o’s Parents: Brian and Ottilia Te’o.
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Manti Te’o’s Parents: Brian and Ottilia Te’o
Te’o was born in Laie, Hawaii on January 26, 1991 to parents Brian and Ottilia Te’o of Samoan ancestry. He was raised Catholic, attended Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii from kindergarten until his senior year in 2009. He played football for the school’s highly successful team that won two state championships and one national championship during his time there.
Te’o began his college career at the University of Notre Dame in 2009. As a freshman, he started seven games and made 63 tackles. In 2010, as a sophomore, he started all 13 games and had 133 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. As a junior in 2011, he again started all 13 games and had 111 tackles, 1.5 sacks and five interceptions.
He is one of six children, with sisters BrieAnne, Tiare, Eden and Maya and brother Manasseh. His parents are very supportive of his career and travel to most of his games.
Te’o is known for being a very hard worker on and off the field. He is a devout Catholic and has said that his faith is very important to him. He is also active in the community, participating in numerous service projects.
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