Manti Te'o (5) John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Former Notre Dame star Manti Te'o thanks fans after release of Netflix doc

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 8/22/22

It was roughly a decade ago that linebacker Manti Te'o was in the media spotlight not for his football-playing abilities, but because he was the target of a catfishing scheme on the national stage.

Fast-forward to 2022 and the whole messy story has been resurrected in a two-part Netflix documentary titled "Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist." Instead of causing Te'o pain, he has apparently been receiving a lot of support from fans and wanted to show his appreciation in return.

"I just want to come on here real quick, just to give a heartfelt thank-you to everybody that has come through and has shown so much love to me and my family, for your messages, for your comments," Te'o said in an Instagram post. "I'm trying to go through all of them, and it's been so amazing to me to hear the battles that we're all facing, the challenges that we're facing in our lives at this time, and how the documentary has given some of us hope, the extra push just to keep going."

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A post shared by Manti Te'o (@mteo50)

"Untold..." dives back into the story of Te'o's online girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, who reportedly died of cancer while the 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist was playing at the University of Notre Dame. The story caught the attention of media outlets all over the country, which led to a revelation by Deadspin in January 2013 that Kekua never existed. A former acquaintance of Te'o's, Naya Tuiasosopo, has since confessed to the catfishing scheme.

While the documentary brings back the troubling story, the former NFLer — who is now married and a father — appears to be keeping a positive outlook.

"I just wanted to come over here and say thank you," Te'o said. "Continue to show that love not only for the people you come in contact with, but most importantly, for yourself. And we'll make this world a better place one person at a time."

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