The San Diego Chargers do not want Manti Te'o taking questions from the media until June. He will, apparently, accept invitations to parties in the meantime.
After Matt Calkins of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Sunday that the Chargers did not make their new linebacker available to reporters at the team's open session of organized team activities over the weekend, Michael Gehlken of the Union-Tribune reported on Monday that a Chargers spokesman said Te'o won't be available to the media until the team's mini-camp starting on June 11. The move was described as an "organizational decision."
Chargers head coach Mike McCoy also addressed the situation on Monday.
Although the Chargers have been keeping him away from the microphones, Te'o hasn't been shying away from the spotlight. He recently attended a party held by Maxim, according to The Associated Press. Maxim named Te'o's fictitious girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, the 69th hottest woman of 2013 in its annual "Hot 100 List.
McCoy also briefly addressed Te'o's attendance at the party on Monday.
It would seem that Te'o is perhaps more comfortable in the limelight than his new team is having him there. Perhaps the Chargers would be put at ease if they reviewed the tape of the most impressive part of Te'o's combine performance. Although he struggled on the field, Te'o did stand up well to the scrutiny from the press following the unraveling of the bizarre hoax involving the non-existant Kekua.
More from the Associated Press
SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers are keeping Manti Te'o off-limits to the media – for now.
The star linebacker was barred from speaking with reporters at the Chargers' second open session of organized team activities.
That doesn't mean Te'o isn't out and about.
Maxim confirmed Monday that Te'o attended a party last week in Hollywood after the magazine included his fake girlfriend on its list of the world's hottest women. Rookie coach Mike McCoy says he didn't know Te'o went to the party.
Te'o was part of a girlfriend hoax that drew national headlines. He also had a poor performance in Notre Dame's blowout loss to Alabama in the national championship game.
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