Aside from a statement he released, Manti Te'o has not spoken to anyone about the mysterious controversy that has emerged about his dead girlfriend that never existed. Early Thursday, Yahoo's Pat Forde reported that Te'o was going to grant a single interview request – to ESPN's Jeremy Schapp.
Was told late last night by an ND source that Manti Te'o is expected to do a one-on-one interview today with a single TV reporter.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) January 17, 2013
I've been told by two people that ESPN's Jeremy Schaap will conduct the Manti Te'o interview. Jeremy is an excellent reporter.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) January 17, 2013
That was later put into question when the Chicago Tribune's Notre Dame beat writer Brian Hamilton tweeted the following, saying the planned interview was "scrapped."
By the way, on @waddleandsilvy, the guys told me Bristol called. ESPN/Schaap sitdown with Manti Te'o was "scrapped." Just passing it along.
— Brian Hamilton (@ChiTribHamilton) January 17, 2013
So is Te'o going to do the interview or has either side canceled at the last minute? Right now we don't know. We asked ESPN about these reports and whether or not there was a planned interview between Schapp and Te'o. Officially, ESPN has told Awful Announcing, "Like all outlets we are pursuing an interview with him." That would seem to suggest an interview with Schapp may still be in the works but has not been finalized.
Personally, I think it would be wise for Te'o to come clean with everything and agree to a one-on-one interview because the longer the truth stays hidden, the harder it will be to overcome in the future. Just ask that guy that's sitting down with Oprah tonight.
UPDATE: According to Paul Pabst of The Dan Patrick Show, the interview is off…
I just spoke to someone in the know at ESPN and…as of now…the Te'o interview "is not happening."
— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) January 17, 2013
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