Manti Te'o 'Catfish' Love Saga Sparks Massive Twitter Response

Late Wednesday, Gawker Media affiliate Deadspin published an expose on star Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o that revealed his nationally publicized, heart-rending tale of a dead girlfriend was a hoax.

Fans and commentators were outraged by the developments for one reason or another. Te'o claimed he'd been had in an elaborate online hoax known as "catfishing," while others pushed that he was trying to pull one over on fans for publicity. 

Some Twitter users couldn't fathom that Te'o told the truth.

Who honestly believes that Manti Te'o was the victim?

— Madison Bartley (@Madisonnn_Bart) January 17, 2013

Notre Dame's "investigation" notwithstanding, I am seeing no possible way that Manti Te'o wasn't complicit in this whole sordid tale.

— Scott Lyons (@tscottlyons) January 17, 2013

Users referred to "Catfish" the popular MTV show about fake online relationships. After the Deadspin article was published, Te'o claimed he'd been a victim of such a ruse.

Manti Te'o definitely made that girl up. He ain't get catfished...

— Mr. Jones (@egjone06) January 17, 2013

Manti Te'o, shame on you! Now you call this a joke? cat fishing? PLEASE!

— Serena Palumbo (@SerenaPalumbo) January 17, 2013

Others were more frustrated with the deluge of media coverage.

Let me save you days of worthless journalism.Manti Te'o gonna get drafted, make millions and marry an actress..this story will be irrelevant

— Corey Felder (@Dark__Kent) January 17, 2013

Can we get past all this Manti Te'o crap? No one really cares and I wanna watch games from last night.. Plus that happens to me all the time

— Corbin Howard (@corbin_howard17) January 17, 2013

I forgot how many of the sports media are pathetic human beings. This Manti Te'o story proves it. #GrowUp

— Eric Bandazewski (@EricBandazewski) January 17, 2013

And more commented on the character of Te'o.

To people saying "Chill out, Manti Te'o didn't kill anyone," I say "Chill out and let's wait for the next twist in the story."

— That Gruden Guy (@ThatGrudenGuy) January 17, 2013

Damn you Manti Te'o for tugging at my heartstrings. I don't know if I will be able to trust an athlete the same way again.

— The Syndicate (@SyndicatePoway) January 17, 2013

No matter what else comes out about his involvement or lack thereof, Manti Te'o ends up looking like an idiot.

— CincyJack(@CincyJack) January 17, 2013

Look at the brightside at least Manti Te'o won't be arrested for beating his non-existent dead gf before draft day.

— Quinn2 (@SoloWingman) January 17, 2013

Te'o was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and stands to be a first-round NFL draft pick this year.

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