Manti Te’o tackles new role as analyst on NFL Network

It’s opening week in the National Football League, where more than 20 players with ties to Hawaii—whether born, raised, or having played there—will be taking the field. Meanwhile, one former NFL veteran is embarking on a new chapter in his football journey.

La’ie native and Punahou graduate Manti Te’o, an eight-year NFL linebacker, is beginning his first season as an analyst for the NFL Network. The former Heisman finalist from Notre Dame, who tallied 307 tackles in 62 games during his career with the Chargers, Saints, and Bears, has joined the cast of Good Morning Football and GMFB Overtime. The latter airs locally every morning at 10 a.m. on KHON2’s sister station, KHII.

According to the 33-year-old father of two, he’s found a new passion and is grateful to remain connected to the game.

“When this opportunity came around with, you know, NFL Network and Good Morning Football, it was a huge blessing in disguise for me to be a part of the game, like you said, and be close to the game. But more importantly, for me to raise my kids around the game, you know, and to be that close and intimate with the game that I love is so beautiful.”

Te’o is enthusiastic about his new role, attributing much of his enjoyment to the camaraderie with the Good Morning Football team.

“I love what I’m doing. I think a lot of it has to do with, you know, not only my passion for the game, but the team that I’m with, you know, the Good Morning Football crew. Yeah, it’s been fun, brother. So I’m looking forward to getting better at it and connecting to more people.”

This may be a new venture for Manti, but he’s not the first in his family to step into the role of football analyst. His father, Brian Te’o, was an original member of the *Cover2: Hawaii High School Football Weekly* program on KHON2, co-hosting from the show’s inception in 2013 until 2016 when the family relocated to Utah.

“You know, my dad, I credit my dad with a lot in my life, and a lot of things that my dad taught me was how to articulate my thoughts. But at the same time, I like to sprinkle in a little flavor, you know, like I like to sprinkle in a little bit of that island flair to what we’re doing. And I felt like my dad was also good at that. It’s definitely been the next chapter in our lives, you know, and this football journey is just—I’m in a different uniform now.”

You can catch Manti Te’o on Good Morning Football every weekday morning from 6 to 8 a.m. Hawaii time on the NFL Network, and on GMFB Overtime starting at 10 a.m. Monday through Friday on KHII. GMBF Overtime will also be re-aired on KHON2 at 12:05am, Monday-Friday.