Manti Te'o

Manti Te'o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish warms up prior to playing against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship game at Sun Life Stadium on January 7, 2013, in Miami Gardens, Florida. After an online report that the inspirational story of his apparent girlfriend dying of leukemia was false, the linebacker said he was the victim of "a sick joke."

Manti Te'o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts after beating the Michigan State Spartans 20-3 at Spartan Stadium Stadium on September 15, 2012, in East Lansing, Michigan. The week before Notre Dame played Michigan State on Sept. 15, coach Brian Kelly told reporters that Te'o's grandmother and a friend had died. Te'o didn't miss the game. He said the apparent girlfriend, Lennay Kekua had told him not to miss a game if she died.

The profile picture of Manti Te'o's Facebook page, as of Jan. 16, 2013. A Notre Dame official later said Kekua was an online personality made up by "several" individuals, and that the trusting Te'o was "the perfect mark."

Manti Te'o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish walks off the field at halftime against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship game at Sun Life Stadium on January 7, 2013, in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Tide went on to win the game 42-14.

Heisman finalists linebacker Manti Te'o of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish speaks during a press conference prior to the 78th Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis on December 8, 2012, in New York City. Te'o's dominating play at linebacker last season was a large part of the reason Notre Dame made it to the BCS Championship game.

Manti Te'o, Johnny Manziel, Collin Klein — Mike Stobe/Getty Images

(L-R) Heisman finalists quarterback Collin Klein of the Kansas State Wildcats, quarterback Johnny Manziel of the Texas A&M University Aggies and linebacker Manti Te'o of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish pose with the Heisman Memorial Trophy Award after a press conference prior to the 78th Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis on December 8, 2012, in New York City. Manziel won the award.

Linebacker Manti Te'o (5) of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2012, in Los Angeles, California.

Linebacker Manti Te'o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is congratulated by fullback Soma Vainuku #31 of the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2012, in Los Angeles, California. Notre Dame defeated USC Trojans 22-13.

Manti Te'o of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team mops up the floor during a timeout in the men's basketball game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on November 29, 2012, in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 64-50.

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o, left, celebrates with defensive end Justin Utupo (53) after Notre Dame defeated Stanford 20-13 in overtime in an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012.

Manti Te'o, Kenny Stills — Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Kenny Stills #4 of the Oklahoma Sooners is tackled by Manti Te'o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 27, 2012, in Norman, Oklahoma.

Manti Te'o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs after an interception as Taylor Lewan #77 of the Michigan Wolverines tries for the tackle at Notre Dame Stadium on September 22, 2012, in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michigan 13-6.

Manti Te'o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish brings down Terrance Cain #7 of the Utah Utes at Notre Dame Stadium on November 13, 2010, in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Utah 28-3.