Why Manti Te'o didn't go to BYU

Manti Te'o talks about deciding not to play football for BYU and shares some insight into the inspirations he received to help him make his decision. Jimmy Rex and Manti dive into the details on what events and experiences took place.

[@jeffreygamett6679]

My man! You know that answer is from God when its not the answer you want, but its crystal clear that’s what He wants you to do. I love our Polynesian brothers. Their faith is so strong. Kalani Sitake is the best!

[@hennore]

Too bad we missed him at BYU! Great guy all the same 👏🏾

[@MrMuaythai84]

byu is a mormon school is he a mormon? and utah is to white for him

[@TheArtificialIncome]

Jimmy, the amount of value/interesting content you pump out on a consistent basis is amazing to me. You’re appreciated big time man!

[@agentjrb]

Doesn’t sound like BYU was ever in the mix his answer was more why he chose ND over SC. Headline should have read why Manti chose ND.

[@andrewfilmsdrums]

Agreed

[@nathaneyring4858]

I respect that the views have to come in so title matters, but yeah, that was the real story.

[@BudNorthstar]

Click bait. It worked. I watched the whole thing.

[@djmailestone]

Love this story! I'm a huge BYU fan and would've loved to see Manti shine in royal blue. But his story is more than just joining his family on the team or going to where the Church is. He followed his father's counsel to ask God and he received his answer to go to ND. The rest is history. Rather than becoming the next "so-and-so," he made a name for himself. Manti is da man!

[@arisyn]

clickbait title - he didn't even talk about BYU

[@rksnote9635]

Pretty accurate title and exactly why he didnt go to BYU

[@zachrussell1053]

Love Manti

[@adamb7230]

I felt like this was a humble way of saying BYU wasn't good enough :)

[@savethehoneybee]

I wish Manti would've played at the Y. I really like him. I love Kalani. Provo loves Polynesian everything. My parents raised me loving the Polynesian people.

[@PunkProfess0r]

That was cool.

[@davidfrey5654]

Wish Manti would have gone to the Y, but hey, he heard the voice the spirit. Can't argue with that.

[@presidentgoulding1809]

2013 was the cold game. They played two straight games at ND in 2012 and 2013. I was at the 2012 game, but not the 2013 game. 2012 was not cold but 2013 was snow and wind and all the cold you could handle. Glad I wasn't there.

[@tbarron1631]

Nice to see a top player commit to prayer for guidance

[@arenaymar7625]

I love Kyle & Kalani, they’re best friends ❤

[@righdowncharlie]

Manti seems like a great guy and I loved his story about Kalani but I do feel like he was dancing around the question. I’m guessing he didn’t want to bring up his disastrous recruiting trip to BYU which I totally get.

[@michcoug]

yep, Bronco unfortunately made the right choice

[@hennore]

What happened on the recruiting trip?

[@jt4jt4]

Some players were caught drinking. Manti denied being among them, but Bronco didn't believe that he was telling the truth. Whether true or not, Manti crossed BYU off his list the next day. There wasn't a specific public rejection from BYU's side, but Bronco would likely have either asked him to delay a year as he did with Kyle Van Noy, or say that BYU wasn't interested. I do remember that, when BYU played at Notre Dame during Manti's big year, there were those closely associated with Manti who hoped Notre Dame would win so as to "prove" that he made the right decision, which I was thought was very strange; Notre Dame was likely to win that game with or without Manti, although it was a close one, so maybe Manti with BYU might have changed the result? Another thing that I have thought of, which I don't know that Manti has ever considered but wouldn't matter after the fact anyway, is that Manti going to BYU would certainly have kept him from becoming the subject of national humiliation, as he would have been the same player but with a far lower national profile that would not have attracted unsavory types to target him. @@hennore

[@jakeneilson6423]

I Wonder if Kalani was BYU’s HC back then, if Manti picks BYU, or if that changes anything.

[@JT-rx1eo]

Well he was a kid, and kids love the bright lights. BYU, while a solid program, doesn't have lights as bright as ND and USC.

[@MrMuaythai84]

byu was to white for him them mormon girls would love him tho they sick tired of them skinny white boys

[@DerGlaetze]

He still didn’t answer the question

[@CougarFan827]

Who?

[@lopanuucla5481]

You wouldn't have been catfished if you came to BYU!!!!! You would have done more good for BYU and the church!!!!

[@pmbeck23]

Pshhhhhh, should have went to SC.

[@77thNYSV]

Why he didn't go to BYU. God told him not to.

[@DillonCarbajal]

Lol didn't really answer the question but ok.

[@STRIPPSLC]

Why?! He's a smart man that's why lol

[@TheJetpilot55]

So smart that he had the Yewts OUT of his top 5! Lol

[@eatshitpitt1990]

Obviously because his fake dead gf didn't want to move to Utah 😂

[@davidstith2391]

He was too busy chasing his imaginary girlfriend.