HONOLULU (KHON2) — In a game of all-stars, Laie native Manti Teo is the star. He’s an NFL veteran, college superstar, high school phenom. But first and foremost, Manti Teo is an island boy.
Teo was back home in January as part of the NFL Network’s broadcast team for the Polynesian Bowl. He’s been on the network’s “Good Morning Football” show as an analyst since August.
“To bring my kids out here, to take them to the places I grew up, swim in the waters I swam in was definitely special,” he said.
“I think what we can add to the show is we have that family chemistry and I think everybody can feel it. So it’s definitely fun and I can’t wait to go back.”
Teo actually got into the business by chance, after an interview with NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche.
“After the interview, Steve was like ‘Bro, you should be on TV.’ So I told him ‘I’ll rush it’ and he made some calls, got me in.”
“So I went back to the network and was like ‘We gotta really look at him and develop him’. I said mainly because there’s no Polynesians talking NFL football on TV, and look at the large amount of Polynesians playing this sport. He’s a great representation of the culture, but he’s a better representation of a human being,” said Wyche.
Teo got the shot and ran with it, saying he can’t believe he gets paid to crack jokes and talk about football.
His goals — make the game relatable to those who aren’t necessarily die-hard football fans and never put a player down.
“I think that’s the island in me. You know, we really don’t talk trash about anybody. We try to build each other up,” he added.
For now, Teo is unsure what’s in store for his future but he’s sure that whatever he’s doing will be done with all his heart and passion — just like when he was on the field.
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“For me, I always try to be where my feet are, you know what I mean. Wherever my feet are, I’m gonna be the best that I can be at that moment in that time,” Teo said.
“He’s just scratching the surface. I mean, as great of a collegiate career he’s had, great of an NFL career he’s had, his television career, which he can do for 50 years what you can’t do on the field, is something that can be a lot greater,” said Wyche.