A couple of weeks ago, I was at dinner with Mr. D and our friend Matt Cermak. We talked about whether or not we thought Manti Te’o made up a fake girlfriend for publicity.

Typically the cynical one of the group, I took Te’o’s side stating I can understand how something like this happens.

I spend a lot of time online. I’ve made friends with people online and then met them in person and have been disappointed to learn their personas don’t match. And that’s minor. Making up an entirely fake profile? It can happen. I get it.

To have someone go to those lengths, though? To create a persona, “find” a Heisman finalist and potential first round NFL draft pick, and romance him into a long-distance relationship? That’s quite the elaborate prank. Imagine having to keep that one a secret.

Whether or not he was complicit in the hoax remains to be seen, but for now, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt. (more…)