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Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o plays a game in September the week after his grandmother and girlfriend died. It's discovered in January that the girlfriend doesn't exist. She was created online by another person and Te'o was either the victim of a hoax or participated in it.
<br></br>More on the hoax: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/football/la-sp-0117-mantiteo-hoax-20130117,0,1139297.story"> Notre Dame says linebacker was a victim, but was he?</a>

Manti Te'o, hoax participant or victim?

( Joe Raymond / Associated Press / August 16, 2012 )

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o plays a game in September the week after his grandmother and girlfriend died. It's discovered in January that the girlfriend doesn't exist. She was created online by another person and Te'o was either the victim of a hoax or participated in it.

More on the hoax: Notre Dame says linebacker was a victim, but was he?

Notable sports scandals, present and past

Manti Te'o, hoax participant or victim?