Manti Te’o Net Worth: Age, Career, Biography, Marriage, And His Journey From Rise To Redemption
Manti Te’o Net Worth
$3.5 Million
Manti Te’o became widely known as the man at the center of the infamous ex-girlfriend hoax, a story that quickly exploded and turned him from a rising sports star into the butt of internet jokes. The scandal spread rapidly through media outlets and gained significant attention, especially after the release of a Netflix documentary that further fueled the narrative.
Before the controversy, Te’o had already made a name for himself as a standout player at Notre Dame, earning recognition as one of the top college football talents in the country. After retiring from his NFL career, he shifted his focus to real estate and other business ventures. What led to this transition from athlete to entrepreneur? Let’s delve deeper into Manti Te’o’s journey and explore his current net worth.
Manti Te’o Net Worth
Manti Te’o, a former professional football player, has an estimated Manti Te’o net worth of $3.5 million. Throughout his NFL career, Te’o played for the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears. Before making it to the NFL, he played college football at Notre Dame. His NFL career ended in 2021 when his contract with the Bears expired, officially marking the conclusion of his time as a linebacker.
Te’o’s career was notably affected by the infamous catfishing scandal, which arguably cost him a chance at being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Instead, he was drafted early in the second round, a move that ultimately resulted in a loss of millions of dollars. Over the course of his NFL career, Te’o earned a total of $10.4 million in salary.
In August 2022, Netflix released a documentary titled Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist, in which Manti shared his side of the catfishing story. His appearance in the documentary was met with widespread praise, as many admired his perspective on the situation and his ability to forgive the person responsible for the hoax.
Who Is Manti Te’o?
Manti Te’o is a former professional football player who played as a linebacker in the NFL. Before making it to the league, he established himself as a standout player at Notre Dame, where he was a central figure in the Fighting Irish’s defense. His exceptional skills and leadership on the field made him a key player for the team.
Te’o gained national attention in 2012 while playing for Notre Dame, earning numerous accolades and being recognized as one of the top college football players in the country. His remarkable college career and consistent performance helped him transition to the NFL, where he continued his football journey at the professional level.
Manti Te’o Wiki/Bio
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Manti Malietau Louis Te’o |
| Date of Birth | January 26, 1991 |
| Place of Birth | Laie, Hawaii, United States |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters) |
| Weight | 241 lbs (109 kg) |
| Position | Linebacker |
| College | University of Notre Dame |
| High School | Punahou School, Honolulu, Hawaii |
| NFL Draft | 2013, Round 2 (38th overall pick) by the San Diego Chargers |
| Career Stats | 437 total tackles (college) |
| Notable Incident | Catfishing hoax scandal in 2012 |
| Documentary | Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist (Netflix, 2022) |
| Manti Te’o Net Worth | $3.5 million |
Early Life Of Manti Te’o
Manti Malietau Louis Te’o was born on January 26, 1991, in the town of Laie, located in Hawaii. Growing up, he developed a passion for football and played at a private school in Hawaii, quickly gaining attention for his exceptional skills. In 2007, during his junior year, Te’o earned multiple accolades, including State Defensive Player of the Year and Gatorade State Player of the Year. That season, he posted impressive statistics, recording 90 tackles, five sacks, 400 rushing yards, and ten touchdowns as a running back, catching the eye of college recruiters across the nation.
High School Success and Senior Year Achievements
Before his senior year began, Te’o had already received multiple college offers. His senior season was a standout, as he led his high school team to its first-ever state championship. He recorded 129 tackles, 11 sacks, and four touchdowns, with one of his most notable moments being a touchdown scored from a blocked punt return. For his remarkable performance, Te’o earned Gatorade State Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive year, alongside other prestigious awards.
College Career at Notre Dame
In 2009, Te’o chose to attend the University of Notre Dame after graduating from high school. During his freshman season, he played in all 12 games and made an immediate impact, recording 63 tackles and earning Freshman All-American honors. In his sophomore year, he transitioned from outside linebacker to inside linebacker, where he excelled with 133 tackles, which became a career-high that he would never surpass. His junior season saw him record 128 tackles, continuing to solidify his place as one of the top players in college football. During his senior year, Te’o recorded 103 tackles and contributed to Notre Dame’s defense, which ranked second in the nation for scoring defense.
Te’o’s Legacy at Notre Dame
Te’o finished his career at Notre Dame as one of the most highly decorated defensive players in college football history. Throughout his time at Notre Dame, he earned numerous prestigious awards, including the Maxwell Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Butkus Award, the Lombardi Award, and the Walter Camp Award. Over the course of his college career, he accumulated an impressive 437 total tackles, cementing his place as one of the top linebackers to ever play for the Fighting Irish.
Manti Te’o Age
He was born on January 26, 1991, which makes him 34 years old as of 2025.
Manti Te’o Entry Into The NFL
Manti Te’o entered the 2013 NFL Draft with high expectations, but concerns about his 40-yard-dash time caused some disappointment among recruiters. Despite this, he was selected 38th overall by the San Diego Chargers. Te’o signed a four-year contract worth $5 million, including over $3 million in guaranteed money and a $2 million signing bonus. Unfortunately, his rookie season was marred by a foot injury sustained during the preseason, which caused him to miss several games. He made his debut against the Houston Texans and ended his first season with 61 tackles.
Injuries and Career Setbacks
In 2014, Te’o faced another setback when he fractured his foot. However, he managed to recover by mid-season and began making an impact with his first interceptions and sacks. Over the next few years, he consistently recorded around 60 tackles per season, and in 2016, he earned a team captain role with the Chargers. Unfortunately, another injury, a torn Achilles tendon, forced him to sit out for the remainder of that season, and he was placed on injured reserve.
Te’o’s Move to the New Orleans Saints
Te’o was traded to the New Orleans Saints, where he signed a two-year contract. In 2017, he led the team in tackles for loss, showcasing his resilience and skill. However, after his contract expired, the Saints chose not to re-sign him. They did, however, offer him a brief re-signing in 2019 after he had spent much of the season sidelined.
Final Stint with the Chicago Bears
In 2020, Te’o joined the Chicago Bears’ practice squad. The following year, he was promoted to the active roster and played in a game against the New Orleans Saints. However, after that game, he was placed back on the practice squad. In January 2021, his contract with the Bears expired, marking the official end of his NFL career.
Manti Te’o Career Earnings
Throughout his NFL career, which spanned from 2013 to 2020, Manti Te’o earned a total of $10.4 million in salary (before taxes and other deductions). His most lucrative season came in 2018 when he earned $1.7 million playing for the New Orleans Saints.
As a Heisman finalist and coming off a Championship appearance, Manti had been expected to be drafted in the top half of the first round in the 2013 NFL Draft. However, some argue that his personal controversy led to his draft stock dropping, resulting in him being selected 38th overall as the sixth pick of the second round. When Te’o was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, he signed a four-year contract worth $5.172 million, which included a $2.14 million signing bonus. Had his controversies not affected his draft position, Te’o may have earned millions more, as evidenced by the comparison to Kenny Vaccaro, who was drafted 15th overall and signed a four-year, $9.4 million deal with the Saints, including a $5.2 million signing bonus.
In 2017, Te’o signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, followed by a one-year, $805,000 deal. In his final season in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Te’o was a member of the practice squad and earned $132,000.
Manti Te’o Catfishing Incident
Manti Te’o is perhaps best known for being the victim of a widely publicized catfishing hoax. While attending Notre Dame, he became involved in an online relationship with someone he believed to be an attractive woman named Lennay Kekua. However, Lennay was actually a fake persona created by Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, a man who crafted an elaborate, fictional story. Throughout their online relationship, Manti was led to believe that Lennay had been in a car accident and was in a coma, and later that she had tragically died from leukemia. Around this time, Manti’s real-life grandmother also passed away, which triggered a media frenzy when reports surfaced that both his grandmother and girlfriend had died on the same day.
The Exposure of the Hoax
The story took a dramatic turn when two reporters from Deadspin received a tip about the truth behind Lennay’s existence, and Manti began to realize something wasn’t right. The hoaxer even pretended to be Lennay, claiming that she had come back from the dead after faking her death. When the catfishing incident was exposed to the public, Manti, who was the victim, faced an overwhelming wave of unfair backlash. Some believe that this controversy hurt his NFL draft stock, with Manti being selected in the second round instead of the first, resulting in him losing out on millions of dollars.
Manti Response and Forgiveness
Nearly a decade later, both Manti and Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, the person behind the hoax, appeared in a Netflix documentary that explored the incident. In the documentary, Manti shared his side of the story, emphasizing that he did everything he could to handle the situation responsibly. As soon as he suspected he was being deceived, he informed his friends, family, and school officials. Despite enduring public humiliation, lost draft earnings, and the negative impact on his career, Manti forgave the person who deceived him, showing immense resilience and forgiveness in the face of such a challenging ordeal.
Manti Te’o Marriage And Family
Manti Te’o’s personal life took an exciting turn in 2020 when he became engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Jovi Nicole Engbino. After a heartfelt proposal, the couple decided to marry later that year in an intimate ceremony. Their relationship, built on love and support, has since flourished as they embraced new roles as parents.
The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Hiro Te’o, on August 12, 2021. Manti and Jovi were overjoyed at the arrival of their little girl, sharing their happiness with fans and friends. Their family grew again with the birth of their son, Kyro Aumua Te’o, on January 16, 2023. The Te’o family continues to thrive, and Manti has shared moments of joy, celebrating the milestones of fatherhood while balancing his career and personal life.
The Te’o family remains close-knit and supportive, with Manti expressing how his children and wife bring him endless joy and inspiration.
FAQs About Manti Te’o Net Worth
Q: What is Manti Te’o net worth?
A: Manti Te’o net worth $3.5 million, earned through his NFL career and post-football ventures.
Q: What is the catfishing incident Manti Te’o is known for?
A: He was deceived into believing he was in a relationship with a fake woman, Lennay Kekua, created by Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, which affected his NFL career.
Q: How did the catfishing scandal affect his NFL career?
A: The scandal lowered his draft stock, causing him to be selected in the second round, costing him millions in earnings.
Q: What is Manti Te’o doing now?
A: He retired from the NFL in 2021 and now focuses on real estate and business ventures.
Q: Does Manti Te’o have a family?
A: Yes, he is married to Jovi Nicole Engbino and has two children: Hiro Te’o (born August 12, 2021) and Kyro Aumua Te’o (born January 16, 2023).
Conclusion
Manti Te’o’s life and career have been marked by both triumph and adversity. From his stellar college football career at Notre Dame to his time in the NFL, Te’o became a household name, but not always for the right reasons. The infamous catfishing incident not only shook his personal life but also had a profound impact on his professional trajectory. Despite the challenges he faced, Manti’s resilience and ability to forgive the individual behind the hoax have been remarkable. Today, as we consider Manti Te’o net worth, which stands at an estimated $3.5 million, he is happily married and enjoying family life while focusing on his entrepreneurial endeavors. His journey is a testament to personal growth and transformation, and his story continues to inspire.
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