Manti Te’o is a former NFL linebacker best known for his dominant college career at Notre Dame, where he became one of the most decorated defensive players in modern history, and for the highly publicized catfishing hoax that unfolded during his senior season. He played eight seasons in the NFL with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears before transitioning into sports media. Since 2024, Te’o has worked as an on-air analyst and host for NFL Network, including a full-time role on Good Morning Football.
Quick Answer
Manti Te’o is a 35-year-old former NFL linebacker from Laie, Hawaii, who starred at Notre Dame from 2009 to 2012. In 2012 he swept major defensive awards, finished second in Heisman Trophy voting, and helped lead the Fighting Irish to an undefeated regular season. He was selected 38th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2013 NFL Draft and played through 2020. Te’o is widely remembered for being the victim of a catfishing scheme involving a fabricated online girlfriend. Today he works as a host and analyst on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, is married to Jovi Nicole Te’o, and is the father of two children.
Manti Te’o Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Manti Malietau Louis Teʻo |
| Date of birth | January 26, 1991 |
| Age | 35 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Laie, Hawaii |
| Nationality | American (Samoan ancestry) |
| Profession | Former NFL linebacker; NFL Network analyst and host |
| Known for | Notre Dame All-American career; 2012 Heisman runner-up; catfishing scandal; Good Morning Football |
| Spouse | Jovi Nicole Te’o (married August 29, 2020) |
| Children | Daughter Hiro (born 2021); son Kyro (born 2023) |
| Active years | College 2009–2012; NFL 2013–2020; media since 2024 |
What Is Manti Te’o Best Known For?
Manti Te’o is best known for two overlapping chapters of his public life. On the field, he was one of the most productive and decorated linebackers in Notre Dame history. In 2012 he recorded 113 tackles and seven interceptions while leading a defense that ranked among the nation’s best, finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up to Johnny Manziel and winning a rare collection of major awards including the Maxwell, Bednarik, Butkus, Lombardi, Nagurski, and Walter Camp honors.
Off the field, Te’o became a national figure in early 2013 when it was revealed that his online girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, did not exist. The elaborate catfishing scheme, perpetrated by Ronaiah Tuiasosopo (later known as Naya Tuiasosopo), dominated headlines just as Te’o prepared for the NFL Draft. The episode affected his draft stock and public image for years. Te’o has since reclaimed the narrative through a 2022 Netflix documentary and a successful move into broadcasting.
Early Life and High School Career
Te’o was born January 26, 1991, in Laie, Hawaii, to Brian and Ottilia Te’o. He grew up in a large Samoan family with five siblings and was raised in a close-knit Polynesian community that emphasized family, faith, and discipline. He attended Punahou School in Honolulu, where he developed into one of the top high school football prospects in the country.
As a senior in 2008, Te’o helped Punahou win its first state football championship. He earned Gatorade Hawaii Player of the Year honors twice, won the high school Butkus Award as the nation’s top prep linebacker, and was named USA Today national Defensive Player of the Year. Highly recruited, he chose Notre Dame over offers that included Brigham Young and USC.
College Career at Notre Dame
Te’o played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2009 to 2012. He finished his career with 437 tackles, ranking third in school history at the time.
As a freshman he recorded 63 tackles. In 2010 he moved to inside linebacker and led the team with 133 tackles. In 2011 he again led Notre Dame with 128 tackles and earned second-team All-American recognition.
His senior season in 2012 was historic. Te’o led the Irish to a 12-0 regular season and a berth in the BCS National Championship Game. He finished with 113 tackles and seven interceptions (tied for second nationally). Notre Dame’s defense ranked second in the country in scoring defense. Te’o became the first exclusively defensive player in decades to finish among the top two in Heisman voting. Alabama defeated Notre Dame 42-14 in the championship game; Te’o recorded 10 tackles in the loss.
The Catfishing Scandal
During the 2012 season, Te’o publicly discussed the deaths of his grandmother and his girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, which he said occurred on the same day. The story generated widespread sympathy and media attention. In January 2013, Deadspin reported that Kekua was a fabrication created by Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, who had used stolen photos and maintained an elaborate online relationship with Te’o for months. Te’o had never met Kekua in person.
Te’o cooperated with investigators and stated he was a victim of the hoax. The revelation created intense media scrutiny in the weeks before the NFL Draft. In 2022, Netflix released the documentary Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist, which examined the events from multiple perspectives, including Te’o’s and Tuiasosopo’s. Te’o has spoken about the experience as a difficult but formative chapter that ultimately strengthened his perspective on family, faith, and resilience.
NFL Career
The San Diego Chargers selected Te’o in the second round (38th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. Many evaluators had projected him as a potential first-round pick before the scandal and a slower-than-expected 40-yard dash at the combine. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $5.17 million.
Te’o spent four seasons with the Chargers (2013–2016), then signed with the New Orleans Saints (2017–2019) and finished his career on the Chicago Bears practice squad in 2020. Over 62 regular-season games (48 starts) he recorded 307 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Injuries limited his availability in several seasons. His playing career effectively ended after the 2020 season.
NFL Career Snapshot
| Years | Team | Games | Starts | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2016 | San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers | 38 | 34 | Drafted 38th overall; solid early production |
| 2017–2019 | New Orleans Saints | 24 | 14 | Highest single-season earnings period |
| 2020 | Chicago Bears | Practice squad | — | Final season |
Career Earnings and Financial Picture
Public contract data shows Te’o earned approximately $10.4 million in NFL salary and bonuses across his career. His rookie deal with the Chargers accounted for a large share of that total. Later contracts with the Saints included a two-year deal worth about $5 million. Taxes, agent fees, training costs, and living expenses mean career earnings do not equal net worth. Multiple celebrity wealth trackers have estimated Te’o’s net worth in the range of $3.5 million in recent years. These figures are estimates only and should be treated with caution, as private investments, real estate holdings, and media income are not fully public.
After football, Te’o has pursued real estate and other business interests while building a media career that provides ongoing income.
Personal Life
Te’o married Jovi Nicole (née Engbino) on August 29, 2020, in La Jolla, California. The couple began dating years earlier. They have two children: daughter Hiromi “Hiro” Te’o, born August 12, 2021, and son Kyro Aumua Te’o, born January 16, 2023. Te’o has frequently described family as his highest priority and has spoken about the grounding influence of fatherhood after the intense public scrutiny of his early career.
He maintains close ties to the Polynesian community and has expressed support for fellow Hawaiian and Samoan athletes, including referring to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as a “little brother.”
What Is Manti Te’o Doing Now?
Te’o joined NFL Network in 2024 as an on-air analyst and contributor. He became a full-time host on Good Morning Football in 2025, working alongside Jamie Erdahl and Kyle Brandt. He also appears on Good Morning Football: Overtime and has contributed to other NFL Network and Netflix football programming. Colleagues and viewers have noted his energy, football insight, and willingness to discuss both the game and broader life lessons drawn from his experiences.
In addition to broadcasting, Te’o remains involved with Polynesian football initiatives and has returned to Notre Dame and Hawaii events as a mentor and speaker. He continues to be active on social media under the handle @manti, sharing family moments and football commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Manti Te’o?
Manti Te’o was born on January 26, 1991. He is 35 years old as of 2026.
What is Manti Te’o famous for?
Te’o is famous for his outstanding 2012 season at Notre Dame, where he won multiple major defensive awards and finished second in Heisman Trophy voting, and for being the victim of a widely publicized catfishing hoax that same year. He later played eight seasons in the NFL and now works as a television analyst.
What teams did Manti Te’o play for?
He played college football at Notre Dame (2009–2012). In the NFL he played for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2013–2016), New Orleans Saints (2017–2019), and Chicago Bears (2020).
Is Manti Te’o married?
Yes. Te’o married Jovi Nicole Te’o (née Engbino) on August 29, 2020. The couple has two children.
Does Manti Te’o have children?
Yes. He and his wife have a daughter, Hiro (born 2021), and a son, Kyro (born 2023).
What is Manti Te’o doing now?
Te’o works as a full-time host and analyst on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football and related programming. He joined the network in 2024 and expanded to a permanent role in 2025.
How much did Manti Te’o make in the NFL?
Available contract records indicate Te’o earned approximately $10.4 million in salary and bonuses during his NFL career. Net-worth estimates that appear in media reports are unofficial and typically place him around $3.5 million after taxes and expenses.
Was the catfishing story real?
Yes. In 2012–2013 Te’o was the victim of an elaborate online hoax in which Ronaiah Tuiasosopo created a fake persona named Lennay Kekua. Te’o has consistently maintained he did not know the relationship was fabricated until the story became public.
