Manti Te’o Net Worth

What Is Manti Te’o’s Net Worth?

Manti Te’o, a former American professional football player, has an estimated net worth of $3.5 million. This valuation reflects his earnings from his NFL career, endorsements, and other ventures. His financial standing was notably impacted by events surrounding his entry into the NFL, which will be explored further.

NFL Career Earnings and Contract Details

Throughout his NFL career (2013-2020), Manti Te’o accumulated $10.4 million in total salary. His highest-earning season was in 2018 with the New Orleans Saints, where he received $1.7 million. Drafted 38th overall in 2013 by the San Diego Chargers, Te’o signed a 4-year contract worth $5.172 million. This included a $2.14 million signing bonus. A comparison can be made to Kenny Vaccaro, the 15th overall pick in the same draft, who secured a 4-year, $9.4 million contract with a $5.2 million signing bonus. This difference underscores the potential financial impact of Te’o’s draft position.

In 2017, Te’o signed a 2-year, $5 million contract with the Saints, followed by a 1-year, $805,000 deal. His final NFL season with the Chicago Bears saw him earn $132,000 as a member of the practice squad. These contract details provide a clear picture of Te’o’s earnings trajectory and the various stages of his professional career.

Early Life and College Football Career

Manti Malietau Louis Te’o was born on January 26, 1991, in Laie, Hawaii. He attended a private high school in Hawaii, where he excelled in football. During his junior year (2007), he recorded 90 tackles, five sacks, 400 rushing yards, and ten touchdowns as a running back, attracting college attention. In his senior year, he achieved 129 tackles, 11 sacks, and four touchdowns, leading his high school to its first-ever state championship. These accomplishments led to Te’o receiving the Gatorade State Player of the Year award twice.

In 2009, Te’o joined the University of Notre Dame. He played in all 12 games of his freshman season, recording 63 tackles and earning Freshman All-American honors. In his sophomore season, he shifted to inside linebacker and recorded 133 tackles, a career-high. Subsequent seasons saw him record 128 tackles and 103 tackles in his senior year, as Notre Dame became the second-highest-ranked college in the nation in terms of scoring defense. Te’o concluded his Notre Dame career with 437 total tackles, solidifying his reputation as one of the most accomplished defensive players in college football history.

He also won a number of awards, including the Maxwell Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Butkus Award, the Lombardi Award, and the Walter Camp Award, demonstrating his immense talent and impact on the sport at the collegiate level. His impressive statistics and accolades significantly boosted his profile before entering the NFL draft.

NFL Career and Key Milestones

Entering the 2013 NFL Draft, Manti Te’o was selected 38th overall by the San Diego Chargers after concerns were raised about his 40-yard-dash time. His initial NFL season was hampered by a foot injury sustained during the preseason opener, causing him to miss several games. He eventually debuted against the Houston Texans, finishing his season with 61 tackles. In 2014, a fractured foot further disrupted his career, but he recovered by mid-season and began recording interceptions and sacks. Over the next few years, Te’o consistently recorded around 60 tackles per season. In 2016, he was named one of the Chargers’ team captains. However, a torn Achilles tendon ended his season prematurely, placing him on the injured reserve list. After being traded to the New Orleans Saints, he signed a two-year contract and led the franchise in tackles for loss in 2017. Despite this performance, he was not re-signed at the contract’s end. New Orleans re-signed him briefly in 2019. In 2020, Te’o joined the Chicago Bears’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster in 2021 for a game against the New Orleans Saints but was subsequently placed back on the practice squad. His practice squad contract with the Bears expired in January 2021, effectively ending his NFL career. His career statistics, including tackles, sacks, and interceptions, demonstrate his contributions to each team he played for, despite the challenges he faced due to injuries and other factors.

The Catfishing Incident and Its Financial Impact on Manti Te’o Net Worth

Manti Te’o’s career trajectory was notably affected by a catfishing incident involving Ronaiah Tuiasosopo. Tuiasosopo created a fake persona named Lennay Kekua on Facebook, deceiving Te’o into believing he was in a relationship with her. The hoax escalated when Tuiasosopo informed Te’o that Kekua was in a coma after a car accident and later claimed she died from Leukemia. Simultaneously, Te’o’s grandmother passed away, leading to widespread media coverage about the star football player losing both his girlfriend and grandmother purportedly on the same day.

Deadspin reporters received a tip that the girlfriend was not real, and Te’o began to suspect the truth himself. The exposure of the catfishing incident led to significant backlash against Te’o, who was the victim. It is speculated that this controversy contributed to him being drafted in the second round of the NFL draft instead of the first, potentially costing him millions of dollars. This incident is a critical factor in understanding the various influences on Manti Te’o’s Net Worth.

A Netflix documentary titled “Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist” was released in August 2022, featuring both Manti Te’o and Ronaiah Tuiasosopo discussing the incident. The documentary highlighted Te’o’s handling of the situation and his forgiveness of Tuiasosopo. This public appearance helped to reshape the narrative and shed light on the complexities and emotional toll of the catfishing incident on Te’o’s life and career.

Te’o’s draft position was significantly impacted, as he was projected to be a first-round pick before the controversy. His actual draft position at 38th overall resulted in a lower-value contract compared to other first-round picks. For example, Kenny Vaccaro, selected 15th overall, secured a contract significantly more lucrative than Te’o’s. This financial disparity underscores the potential earnings lost due to the reputational damage caused by the catfishing incident. The incident is directly correlated to the net worth he has today.

Marriage and Personal Life

In 2020, Manti Te’o married Jovi Nicole Engbino. They have two children: a daughter, Hiro Te’o, born on August 12, 2021, and a son, Kyro Aumua Te’o, born on January 16, 2023. While specific details about his family life and personal expenditures are not publicly available, they contribute to the overall context of his financial management and responsibilities.

Additional Factors Influencing Manti Te’o Net Worth

Beyond his NFL earnings, Manti Te’o’s Net Worth is also shaped by endorsements and other business ventures. While specific details regarding these income streams are not publicly disclosed, they likely contribute to his financial standing. The public perception and media attention surrounding his career, particularly after the catfishing incident, have had both positive and negative impacts on his endorsement opportunities. His appearance in the Netflix documentary helped to restore some of his public image, which could potentially lead to new opportunities in the future. Te’o’s experiences highlight the complex interplay between personal reputation, media coverage, and financial success in professional sports. His ability to navigate these challenges has influenced his net worth and overall career trajectory.

Manti Te’o’s journey demonstrates the various factors that can influence a professional athlete’s net worth. His on-field performance, contract negotiations, personal life, and public perception have all played a role in shaping his financial standing. While specific details regarding his investments, assets, and liabilities remain private, the available information provides a comprehensive overview of the elements contributing to his $3.5 million net worth.