Heisman or not, Notre Dame fans still love Manti Te’o
By DOUG GRIFFITHS
ISL Assistant Editor
It has been a little over a week since Notre Dame fans had to stomach the disappointment of Manti Te’o not winning college football’s most coveted honor – the Heisman Trophy. In those fans’ eyes, the consensus All-American is not only Heisman worthy, but perhaps the greatest player to ever don the Blue and Gold.
Te’o was runner up for the Heisman to Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, who became the first freshman ever to win the prestigious award.
“Even with the Heisman results we are still very proud of Manti,” said lifelong Notre Dame fan Rob Miller, who lives in North Liberty, Ind., about 30 minutes southwest of Notre Dame’s campus. “It was disappointing to see that the voters disagreed with us South Benders.”
“It (not winning the Heisman) didn’t take away from the incredible season he’s had,” said Riley Trott, a freshman at Oregon-Davis High School in northern Indiana. “In my opinion, it shouldn’t have gone to Johnny Manziel, but as we all know, most defensive players don’t get it.”
Dan Patterson, a Notre Dame employee for the last 15 years, thought Te’o was more than worthy of the Heisman.
“He’s a great guy and deserved it on character alone,” Patterson said. “He’s the best player I’ve seen come through Notre Dame.”
Notre Dame alum Bobbie Milliken was disappointed, too, with how the Heisman vote ended up, but like so many said Te’o’s qualities as a football player and student-athlete will forever be remembered in Irish lore.
“He has been the heart of the Notre Dame defense,” Milliken said. “He’s helped carry the team to No. 1 with a chance to be national champions. In addition to being a great defender, he’s been an inspirational team leader for Notre Dame.”
Damon Groves, a teacher at Urey Middle School in Walkerton, Ind., about 30 miles from Notre Dame’s campus, couldn’t agree more.
“Manti Te’o came to Notre Dame for the right reasons: To prepare for his future,” he said. “His main goals are family, education and football.
“Manti not winning the Heisman does not diminish his view of success. He is ‘thee’ example of what Notre Dame football stands for.”
Of course it was Te’o who despite being a lock as a very high NFL Draft pick last spring opted to return to Notre Dame so he could graduate and perhaps be a part of a special season. Mission accomplished.
Despite suffering tremendous loss in his personal life when his grandmother and girlfriend both passed away within 24 hours of one another in September, Te’o didn’t lose his focus on the football field or in the classroom.
“Te’o never forgot the people who helped him be who he is,” said John Schmidt, another long-time Notre Dame fan. “He also sent the message: Finish what you start. He’s a great role model.”
Schmidt’s wife, Loretta, thinks Te’o has changed the face of college football.
“He has taught the world a lesson in perseverance and keeping your eye on the ball,” she said. “His focus is on doing your best and giving 200 percent no matter the odds or the circumstances. He has taught us about character, faith and life in such a powerful way. What an inspiration to everyone near and far.”
Jamie Plunkett, another long-time Irish follower, expects Notre Dame as well as Te’o to benefit from such a high finish for a defensive player.
“Notre Dame is no worse off by Te’o not winning the Heisman,” Plunkett said. “The benefit of Te’o being invited to New York and finishing with more votes than any other defensive player ever bodes well for Te’o’s status and is as good of a recruiting tool as if he had won.”
What infuriates Irish fans is the fact the consensus All-American did everything possible a defensive player could possibly do to win the Heisman.
– He had an unbelievable number of interceptions (seven) for a linebacker, which was best in the nation among players at his position (actually three more than any other linebacker) and second-most picks for all defensive players this season.
– For the third consecutive season, he registered more than 100 tackles (103 to be exact) and ranks third in ND history for career tackle with 427.
– He spearheaded not one, but two goal-line stands for the ages against two bowl-bound teams in Stanford (Rose) and USC (Sun).
– He was captain of a team that began the season unranked yet finished ranked No. 1 in the nation, going 12-0 (the program’s first undefeated season in nearly a quarter of a century) and will play in the BCS National Championship Game against defending national champ Alabama Jan. 7.
– He graduated this month in just three-and-a-half years from Notre Dame and carries well over a 3.0 GPA.
What more could he have done?
Nothing.
“The Heisman definition says, ‘The outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity,'” Miller said. “I say, ‘Who better to represent this than a defensive leader who helped lead his team to an undefeated season, which came as a result of some memorable goal-line stands?’
“I think leadership and toughness is just as important as stats. Manti has all of them.”
Even though he didn’t capture the Heisman, Te’o will leave Notre Dame as the most decorated college football player for a single season in history.
But for now at least, Te’o is focused on one thing and one thing only, beating Alabama and winning the national championship. Just when you think Te’o’s legend couldn’t grow anymore, it will if he delivers Irish fans their first national crown since 1988.
“Notre Dame is a school that produces legends and Notre Dame has been blessed to have another one for the ages,” Groves said.
Groves’ daughter, Chelsea, a freshman at John Glenn High School in Walkerton, Ind., said Te’o is unique.
“Manti Te’o has connected with people near and far,” she said. “There will never be another person like him, even at Notre Dame.”
“Let’s just say not winning the Heisman probably made him more hungry for the national championship,” Trott said.
If Te’o’s appetite for the national title is even greater due to being slighted by Heisman voters, the Crimson Tide better beware.
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