I honestly can say, I dont get this.. Who would do this?!?!
I really hate making assumptions about a situation we only have little information on but that's what has me thinking the Te'o camp engineered this whole story to get him out in the open and to raise his stock. Wouldn't surprise me if someone else was pulling the puppet strings and Manti was just going for the ride.
Cool story bro
Pretty disconcerting situation. Wether it was a plot to gain national attention to help his heisman voting or whatever. Don't know why this was needed, but I am sure he is not the first athlete to do this and should not be crucifed as that. He is going to have to gain the respect of the players in his locker room.
I think he was talking to some girl online for a long time, and probably did fall for her. Then just kept telling everyone that he had someone, and when they pushed, he made up stories about her.
The dead thing, perhaps she disappeared? Stopped talking to him? Im not sure.
But I do think once he started with the stories he had to keep weaving them, couldnt just come out and say "it was all a lie".