For a bit of Manti Te'o sanity, watch the above video in which three sober and sane men discuss the young mans quandary with humanity and respect. It is time for the "Shock Jock" wolves in the media to pull in their teeth and crawl back into their musty, dank, dark dens to chew on the bones of those souls they have already killed with their words and attitudes.
Stop it, people. Leave the young man alone.
The Arjayuniverse World of Sports is now going to offer this letter to Manti Te'o.
Dear Manti Te'o,
As of the date of this letter, this writer is the father of a 20 year old Junior in a major Virginia university. My son, and his group of about twenty 20 and 21 year old friends, are all smart young people who are appreciative of the fact that they all graduated high school and have moved on to good things.
Two of my son's good friends are attending the same university as he is. They have kept their bonds tight and have remained best friends. And, they keep contact with the rest of their social group by text and e-mail. They rarely call each other on the telephone... that really isn't cool for the young people these days. Text message, or go home!
Manti, you appear to be old school. You apparently communicate with your friends and family by telephone. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, one decade ago, most of America communicated on that dying thing call the telephone. And, when the old school telephone users communicated before texting and e-mail, a whole lot of time might pass before those people would see each other. Some people used to go months, perhaps years, between actually seeing each other. It used to be that hearing the other voice on the other end of the line was enough of an emotional connection to keep friends, and lovers, in tune forever. And when they eventually met... it was as though time had never passed, and the sight of each other was as sweet as a cube of the core from sugar cane.
You have a lot of respect here, young man. I understand your plight, even though I do not know you. My home was the nexus of all my son's friends over the years, from elementary school through high school into their college days of right now. I watched those kids grow to young adults. They asked me all kinds of questions over the years and I gave as many answers as I was comfortable with giving. I know what it is to watch awkward kids grow into awkward teens, and then watch as some of them became less awkward and some of them remain awkward. And the scariest thing I observed was the sexuality of the 12 girls becoming obvious.
All the boys physically grew into young men. The girls... well, the girls. Nothing bad EVER happened under my watch... but, the girls became young women and the dynamics of the group of kids began to change... as the girls began to change. It is just what nature is... girls become women and the boys become young men who begin to notice things about their friends who used to be girls.
Manti, I know you are a big strong young man... but you are a 21 year old kid who is still in college. You were duped by cruel people who obviously saw you as an easy mark. You were obviously embarrassed when you found out the deception, and as a 21 year old kid in college... doing college stuff... you didn't know how to get out of the mess. And, before you knew it... this mess blew up in your face.
Now, right now... stop the interviews. The only people you should be talking to about this mess are your parents. When the police come calling, cooperate fully. If Notre Dame needs more information agree to talk only to the President of the university. Let him take care of the information you decide to give him. Other than that... do not allow the media to bully you any longer. Avoid any questions about this goofiness going froward. If you stay out of the light, the light will fade away.
What kills me about this mess is this... you are being used like a broke down horse. You are being whipped to make you crawl... and you aren't even being fed any food!
You are not making money off all this madness. I have heard plenty radio Jocks say reference charities in your stead. You are a college athlete. You can't profit from what people and organizations do by using your name and image. If you crossed the NCAA money barrier, you would be roasted alive. Thank goodness you aren't involved in any money issues.
Do not listen to ESPN! Stay away from the news. And if you are ever in the Washington, DC area... stay away from the radio station WJFK. There are three daytime talk shows on that station. None of the Shock Jocks have kids of college age. Yet, they kill you from morning till night, like they know you are a liar and a fool. And, they continue to fan the flames of what your sexuality might be. This is a CBS station and it is racist, homophobic, sexist and filled with nastiness! I am always shocked when black people call in to defend the Shock Jock's racism. I am even more shocked when women call in for air time.
Well, even that fat bastard Rush Limbaugh has his female callers. So...
Stay away from reporters. What is done in your life is done. Move froward and keep quiet. You will soon be an NFL star, you'll get married and have a few kids and you will have a great life. Or, you might do something else. It is all your own business. I mean... you are not even in the money trap yet! You're still a struggling college student. And you have to deal with this mess?
You want to talk to someone about this who will keep all conversations personal and off the books... contact me. I have a group of young people your age, including my son, who would love to comfort you with respectful words. Contact me... prove to me you are who you say you are and we can talk -- MAN TO MAN!
Otherwise, stay away from the vultures. And tell no one any more personal information about yourself.
Sincerely,
RLJ
