Newsstand: Former Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o reveals the current status of his football career
Former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o has called it a career. After eight years in the NFL, Te’o revealed his retirement on Saturday.
“I’m playing a different game now,” told TMZ Sports. “I’m trying to empower people. Trying to inspire people. That’s the game that I’m playing now, and I’m trying to be the best at that.”
The 32-year-old Te’o last played for the Chicago Bears during the 2020 season. His final appearance was starting in an NFC Wildcard playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 10, 2020.
The 6-foot-1, 241-pound Te’o had six combined tackles, including four solo in the final game of his football career.
After four dominant years at Notre Dame, including being named a Heisman Trophy finalist, the San Diego Chargers selected Te’o with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He played with the Chargers through the 2016 season.
Te’o spent 2017-19 with the New Orleans Saints before joining the Bears’ practice squad in October 2020.
In eight NFL seasons, Te’o started in 48 of 62 games and registered 338 total tackles (230 solo), 23 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, six quarterback hits and one fumble recovery.
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According to spotrac, Te’o made $10.4 million in his NFL career.
Notre Dame Tweets of the Weekend
2025 four-star cornerback Ivan Taylor from Winter Garden (Fla.) After participating in Sunday’s Irish Invasion, West Orange reported an ND scholarship offer. Taylor is the son of former 12-year Pittsburgh Steeler Ike Taylor.
2025 four-star power forward Trent Sisley from Santa Claus (Ind.) Heritage Hills unofficially visited ND on Sunday.
The Irish men’s lacrosse team is currently in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, after winning a national championship one week ago.
Notre Dame Quote of the Weekend
“It’s really high right now, especially after the visit. It was an amazing experience, and I think really highly of them.”
— 2024 four-star offensive tackle Guerby Lambert from West Roxbury (Mass.) Catholic Memorial on his Irish interest after officially visiting last weekend.
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