In this article, Manti Te’o opens up about his journey and NFL career during an interview on The Pat McAfee Show. He discusses the “Untold” documentary that sheds light on his struggles and mental battles while playing in the NFL. Te’o reflects on his early years with the Chargers, acknowledging his poor performance and feeling like he didn’t live up to expectations. However, he found his groove with the Saints and had a good game before an unfortunate Achilles injury. Te’o believes that he could have had a longer NFL career if he had played like he did with the Saints. The documentary helped him forgive himself and inspired people worldwide. Pat McAfee and his crew apologize for the negative reactions and express support for Te’o, who expresses gratitude for the support and forgiveness he has received.
During the interview, Te’o addresses the question of whether he felt blackballed by the NFL, citing his poor performance in his first three years with the Chargers. He shares the internal and mental battle he was going through at the time, feeling different and unable to produce at the level expected of him. However, he denies being blackballed, recognizing that the first impression he made with his performance created a narrative about him. Te’o believes that if he had played the type of football he did with the Saints, he could have had a longer NFL career. He also discusses how the documentary helped him forgive himself and how grateful he is for the support he has received.
Manti Te’o opens up about his NFL career and the ‘Untold’ documentary
Manti Te’o recently appeared on The Pat McAfee Show to discuss his NFL career and the “Untold” documentary that tells the story of his journey. Te’o’s career took an unexpected turn after an impressive college career at Notre Dame, and he opens up about the struggles and mental battles he faced during his time in the NFL. The documentary not only helped Te’o forgive himself but also inspired people around the world. Te’o expresses his gratitude for the support and forgiveness he has received.
Te’o talks about his struggles and mental battles
Te’o discusses the internal and mental battle he went through during his early years in the NFL. He admits that he forced himself to try to produce and live up to the expectations that came with his college success. However, he felt different mentally and emotionally, and it affected his performance on the field. Te’o shares that there were glimpses of the player he was at Notre Dame, but he was unable to consistently produce at the NFL level. This struggle took a toll on him mentally, and it impacted his overall performance.
Reflecting on not living up to expectations and feeling blackballed
Te’o reflects on not living up to the expectations that were set for him based on his college career. He acknowledges that his first three years with the Chargers were not good and that he did not play well during that time. Te’o does not believe that he was blackballed by the NFL because he recognizes that his performance did not meet the required standard. He explains that the narrative about him was true at the time, but he also recognizes that he was not in the right mental and emotional state to play at the highest level.
Acknowledging poor performance in first three years with the Chargers
Te’o openly admits to his poor performance during his first three years with the Chargers. He shares that he had to force himself to hype up and make plays, which was a stark contrast to the player he was at Notre Dame. Te’o felt different mentally and emotionally and struggled to find his groove in the NFL. He recognizes that his performance during those years was not up to par and is critical of himself for not living up to expectations.
Finding his groove with the Saints
Te’o found his groove when he joined the Saints and started to feel like himself again. He mentions that his anxiety subsided, and he was able to produce better results on the field. Te’o credits coaches John Pagano and Chuck Pagano, who played significant roles in his development and finding his stride in the NFL. He felt in his groove during his first year with the Saints and played some really good football.
Having a good game before injuring his Achilles
Just when Te’o started feeling like himself again and playing well with the Saints, he experienced another setback. In his third game with the Saints, Te’o suffered a devastating Achilles injury that abruptly ended his season. He mentions that it was a moment of frustration for him because he finally started to see progress in his game. However, the injury halted his momentum and left him wondering what could have been if he had been able to sustain his performance.
Believing he could have played better and had a longer NFL career
Despite the challenges he faced and the rollercoaster ride of his NFL career, Te’o believes he could have played better and had a longer career if he had performed like he did during his time with the Saints. He acknowledges that his first three years in the league were not good, but he also believes that if he had played at the same level as he did with the Saints, he would still be in the NFL today. Te’o expresses his confidence in his abilities and regrets not being able to showcase them consistently.
The documentary helping Te’o forgive himself
Te’o shares how the “Untold” documentary played a significant role in his journey towards forgiveness. He discusses a therapy session he had before his fourth year in the NFL, where he was asked if he had forgiven himself. This question was a turning point for Te’o, as it made him realize that he needed to let go of the past and forgive himself for the mistakes and struggles he had faced. The documentary allowed him to reflect on his journey and ultimately find forgiveness within himself.
The documentary inspiring people around the world
Te’o expresses his gratitude for the impact the documentary has had on people around the world. He initially had reservations about sharing his story, fearing that it would add to the negativity and criticism he had already faced. However, he was pleasantly surprised by the positive response and the inspiration it provided to others. Te’o is grateful that his story has been able to change the narrative and inspire people to overcome their own struggles.
Apologies and support from Pat McAfee and the crew
Te’o mentions that one of the first people to offer support and apologize for the negative reaction was Pat McAfee. He recalls a clip from McAfee during his podcast, where McAfee discussed the documentary and expressed his understanding of the unfair treatment Te’o had received. Te’o appreciates the support and acknowledges the impact it had on him during a vulnerable time. He emphasizes the power of forgiveness and the importance of recognizing one another’s humanity.
Expressing gratitude for support and forgiveness
In conclusion, Te’o expresses his gratitude for the support and forgiveness he has received from people around the world. He acknowledges that forgiving oneself can be a challenging journey but emphasizes the importance of reaching that point for personal growth and healing. Te’o is grateful for the opportunity to share his story and hopes that it can continue to inspire others to find forgiveness and persevere through their own challenges.
On The Pat McAfee Show, Manti Te’o opens up about his NFL career and discusses the “Untold” documentary that delves into his personal journey. You can watch his interview on The Pat McAfee Show here.
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