Girlfriend hoax has Manti Te’o, senior football star, risking it all.

As a senior at the University of Notre Dame, Manti Te’o seemed to have a bright future ahead of himself. He was a good student as well as a phenomenal linebacker. He had the full support of his family and his girlfriend, Lennay Kekua.

During his senior year, on Sept. 11, 2012, Te’o was informed of his grandmother’s death. A few hours later, he was also informed that his girlfriend had died from leukemia. Despite the devastating news, Te’o played a phenomenal game against Michigan State adding 12 tackles to his name.

His story quickly spread and became an inspiration to many. He did multiple interviews, one being with ESPN, to discuss the events of that evening and his unconditional love for his girlfriend.

Recently, the inspirational story of Te’o’s tragic losses has been deemed untrue.

Manti Te’o did lose his grandmother on that day in September; however, it was never confirmed that his girlfriend had passed away. Actually, it was never found that the girl Te’o called his girlfriend ever existed.

His family is not able to attest to her existence because they had never actually met her. All they knew about her was what Te’o chose to share with them.

The only proof of Lennay Kekua existing would be a few social networking accounts. But, it has been found that the picture in use was of a woman residing in California who has never met Te’o.

It has been discovered that a picture posted on this Lennay Kekua’s Twitter was taken by a woman who was unaware of its purpose. She was informed by a former high school classmate that his cousin had been in a terrible car accident. He requested that she send a picture holding up a sign reading “MSMK” to be placed within a slideshow for his recovering cousin.

It is uncertain what “MSMK” means exactly. All that is known is that it was seen on the Twitter account of Te’o’s alleged girlfriend.

It has been found that the former classmate who contacted the woman in the picture, Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, does know Te’o. It is uncertain exactly how they know one another, but sources have said that they have spoken via social networking and have posted numerous photos together.

Friends and family of Tuiasosopo have stated that he is the creator of Lennay. It has also been discovered that Te’o is not the first person to undergo a relationship with this fictitious woman.

In numerous interviews, Te’o expressed how embarrassed he is to have fallen for a woman who never existed. He also admitted to never meeting her face to face. He only ever conversed with her over the phone or through social networking sites.

Coaches at Notre Dame are convinced that Te’o is the victim of an elaborate hoax.

Others are not so convinced. They believe that the scam was far too elaborate for Te’o to not be involved.

In a poll involving UIS students, 72 percent said that they believe Te’o is the victim of a terrible joke.

Zachary Chase, a sports fan at UIS stated “I do not think he knew about it because he has nothing to gain from pretending to have a girlfriend.”

On the other hand, 28 percent said that they believe Te’o is in on the whole scam.

“I think he knew about it because he wanted to look cooler. I know football players at my old high school who pretended to have girlfriends just to gain popularity,” stated Erin Anderson, UIS freshman.

As of right now, the answer is unclear. Further interviews involving Te’o and his family have been set and will be available to the public within the next few weeks.