Born on January 26, 1991, Manti Te’o is a former linebacker for the American Football team. At the University of Notre Dame, Manti played college football. It is where he was a two-time consensus All-American. He has also won the Butkus Award – the reward for the nation’s top linebacker.
Manti Te’o was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. He also performed for the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints in his professional career.
In addition to football, Manti Te’o has shown interest and has been involved in various philanthropic efforts and business ventures. His personal life turned into a controversy in 2012 when it was revealed that he was the victim of an elaborate online hoax. Still, he continued to be a successful and respectful athlete and philanthropist despite the controversy revolving around his life.
Manti Te’o’s Early Life and Career:
Born and brought up in Laei, Hawaii, Manti Te’o attended Punahou School in Honolulu. He was a star line breaker on his school’s football team. By observing his passion and talent, he was recruited by different college football programs from all over the country, but he decided to settle for the University of Notre Dame.
He became an important player on the Fighting Irish defense in his freshman year at Notre Dame in 2009. He was named a Freshman All-American when he recorded 63 tackles, including five tackles for loss by multiple publications.
By recording 133 and 128 tackles, respectively, he won a number of awards, namely, the Butkus Award, for the nation’s top linebacker and the Nagurski Trophy, for the nation’s top defensive player. Thus, it can be concluded that his sophomore and junior seasons were more impressive.
Manti became the team captain for his senior season, and he guided the Fighting Irish to an undefeated regular season and a spot in the BCS National Game. He again became a consensus All-American after he finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Manti Te’o’s college career helped him secure his place as one of the top linebackers in college football history and a probable top NFL draft pick.
Manti Te’o’s NFL Career: His Contracts and Earnings:
As said, Manti Te’o was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. Here he signed a $3 million worth contract as a four-year rookie, including a $2.55 bonus.
He started 13 games, recorded 93 tackles, one interception, and one sack in his rookie season. With the Chargers, over the course of 4 seasons, he started 34 games and recorded 221 tackles. 2 interceptions, and 1.5 sacks.
Manti signed a two-year contract with the New Orleans after becoming a free agent in 2017. Starting in 14 games and recording 107 tackles and four sacks, he played two seasons with the Saints.
Again in 2019, he signed a year contract with the New Orlean Saints, but he was released before the start of the regular season. After that year, he signed up with the Chicago Bears and started in 4 games, recording six tackles.
Throughout the course of his six-season NFL career, he made a total of around $10.4 million with his salary and incentive.
Manti Te’o’s Endorsements and Business Ventures:
Aside from his football career, he has also shown interest in various business ventures and bagged a few endorsement deals during his career.
Manti signed up for a famous sports brand – Nike, and promoted their new Vapor Carbon cleats. He also starred in some of the advertisements for Adidas and Hawaiian Airlines.
He has also been involved in different business ventures off the field, including a startup named Oahu Real Estate Investors LLC. The startup focuses on real estate development in Hawaii. Also, back in his hometown, Laie, he invested in a restaurant and a food truck.
Along with business ventures and endorsements, he has also been strongly active in charitable endeavors. He is the founder of the Manti Te’o Foundation, founded in 2012. It aims to help the vulnerable youth in Hawaii and across the country. His other philanthropic efforts involve the All Sports Association and the American Cancer Society.
Overall, Manti has shown a passion for business and civic engagement by using his position and resources to have a beneficial influence both on the field and off the field.
Manti Te’o’s Net Worth 2023:
In 2023, Manti Te’o’s net worth is estimated at around $3.5 million. His net worth is estimated by looking at his earnings during his six-year NFL career.
Aside from a career in the NFL, he has also been involved in different businesses and philanthropic efforts. Also, his endorsement of famous brands has helped him increase his net worth.
Manti Te’o’s Net Worth 2022:
As per the Celebrity Net Worth, Manti Te’o is estimated to have around a total net worth of $3.5 million. He lost a significant amount of his career earnings due to the catfish incident, dropping from million-dollar NFL contracts to only $132,000 for his final season.
Manti Te’o’s Personal Life:
Manti Te’o’s personal life has been highly criticized in the past because of the controversial incident of catfishing.
Manti made it to the headlines in 2012, where it was revealed that the information about his girlfriend, who apparently died because of Leukemia, was actually false. According to him, he was involved in a romantic relationship with a woman named Lennay Kekua, who he had met online. Later, it was discovered that she was a hoax, and he had been a victim of an elaborate online hoax.
Since the incident happened, he has kept his personal life relatively private. Now he has been dating a woman named Jovi Nicole Engbingo. Reportedly, he met her while playing football at Notre Dame. They have been together since 2018 and have shared their photographs together on social media.
Apart from his relationship, he is also vocal about his religious beliefs – Mormon faith throughout his career. He also believes in giving back to his community, which can be viewed through his charitable endeavors and philanthropic efforts.
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