Ex-Notre Dame star Manti Te’o speaks at Maxwell Award ceremony
From the Maxwell Football Club
Atlantic City, N.J. — Manti Te’o spoke Friday at the Maxwell Football Club’s annual press conference at the Harrah’s Hotel & Casino. He won the Maxwell Award for outstanding collegiate football player and the Chuck Bednarik Award for the college defensive player of the year.
Below is a transcript of his comments.
Q: On winning both the Chuck Bednarik Award and Most Outstanding College Football Player Award:
Te’o: To be honest with you, it’s all because of my team. I think if our team didn’t have the season that we did, I definitely wouldn’t be sitting here. Definitely, it’s because of my team. Football is the best team sport. Everybody has to do their job. So for me to be here, it’s because the other 10 guys on the defense, the 11 guys [on offense] and the guys on the sidelines did their job.
Q: On if he feels he can overcome his poor 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine:
Te’o: Yeah, definitely. I mean I have another opportunity to run it. That’s what I’m training [for]. I just went back to train. I will continue to train hard and have another opportunity on my pro day.
Q: On what kind of 40 time he thinks he can run at his pro day:
Te’o: Obviously, faster than a 4.8. We’ll see what happens.
Q: On what he has run in the 40-yard dash in the past:
Like 4.6’s, so [it is] definitely something I’m looking forward to and I’m glad I have another opportunity to run it.
Q: On if pressure and stress can inhibit performance in something like the 40-yard dash:
Te’o: It’s difficult to balance things and to stay as focused on what you got to do. But for me, I’m glad that the combine is done. I’ve finished that and now I’m focused more on specific things like my 40 and I don’t have to worry so much about other things. It’s difficult. I’m not going to say it’s easy because it’s hard, but it’s definitely something you can work through.
Q: On if he thinks too much can be made of 40 times and how they can determine a football player’s value:
Te’o: I think there is a difference. I think the 40 time measures what the 40 time is supposed to measure. I think that’s something that I’m going to get better. The only way from here is up, so I’m definitely going to get better at that. I think, as far as play, I think what’s on the film, that’s the play. Obviously, I can get faster in my 40. There’s definitely two things where I can definitely get better.
Q: On where he thinks he may be selected in the NFL Draft:
Te’o: To be honest with you, I really don’t know. I hope I get drafted. I think that’s everybody’s hope at this point. You prepare, you work hard, you do your best and you hope for the best. I don’t know where, specifically, I’m going. I just hope that one of those 32 places becomes my home.
Q: On if he feels a sense of relief now that the NFL Scouting Combine is over:
Te’o: As a football player in general, that’s one of those big stepping stones. Growing up, you see people doing the combine and when you finally get there, it’s kind of like, ˜Oh my gosh, I’m finally at the combine.’ There is a lot of just pressure, and a lot of excitement. It definitely was a great opportunity for me to be there, but I’m glad that I’ve finished that and now I’ve got the pro day.
Q: On the amount of attention on him at the NFL Scouting Combine:
Te’o: It was a good experience, to be honest with you. More positive happened than negative.
Q: On how he has been able to deal with the controversy around him:
Te’o: Avoid [laughs]. Avoid a lot of the stuff. I think [it’s] just knowing what you can control and knowing what you can’t control. What I can control is preparing for the combine. What I can control is making myself the best player, the best person that I can be. Whatever that is, I focus on that.
