MANTI TE’O’s surprising catfishing story surprised the soccer world in 2012 – however he is now discovered happiness with spouse Jovi Nicole.
The previous Notre Dame star, 31, is presently an NFL free agent after spells with the Chargers, Saints and Bears.
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But it surely was the scarcely plausible love story – now the main focus of a brand new Netflix documentary – which achieved him worldwide notoriety a decade in the past.
A local of Laie, Hawaii, Te’o was a soccer star from an early age and gained the inaugural Butkus Award at Excessive Faculty.
He was a five-star faculty recruit and had over 30 affords, stunning everybody – together with himself – by heading to Notre Dame College, Indiana in 2009.
Away from the sphere, Te’o was in a long-term relationship with Stanford College pupil Lennay Kekua – however had by no means met her in individual.
He was knowledgeable by cellphone she had died on September 11, 2012, the identical day his grandmother had handed away.
It was later revealed that the persona of Lennay had been created by Ronaiah Tuiasosopo.
Now 31, Te’o has put the incident firmly behind him and settled down along with his perpetually woman Jovi Nicole.
The couple first acquired collectively in 2016, greater than three years after the ‘Lennay Hoax’ was revealed.
Jovi was born in 1988 and graduated with a level in Enterprise Administration and Administration from Arizona College in 2007.
Captivated with well being, magnificence and health, she previously labored as a gross sales assist specialist however is now a trainee nurse and health teacher.
Boasting greater than 35,000 Instagram followers, Jovi proudly introduced her engagement to soccer star Te’o in February 2020.
She had been a daily supporter of her man throughout his time within the NFL, posting movies from the stands throughout Chargers video games.
The pair wasted no time in planning a shocking Californian marriage ceremony, tying the knot in La Jolla in August that 12 months.
They welcomed a daughter – Hiromi – the next 12 months and just lately confirmed they’re anticipating a child boy.
Jovi wrote on Instagram: “The Queen is right here.
“Child Hiro graced us along with her presence 8/12/2021 at 1:01pm by emergency c-section.
“8 lbs 4 oz and 19 inches of perfection. Her, mommy and daddy are all robust, comfortable and wholesome. God is nice.”
Te’o’s final NFL stint was with the Chicago Bears, the place he performed for the observe squad till January 2021.
Over his profession, he is made 307 NFL tackles and is presently a free agent.
His documentary titled “Untold: The Girlfriend Who Did not Exist” is streaming now on Netflix.
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