All eyes on Te'o at Chargers rookie camp
Rookies D.J.Fluker, Steve Williams and Keenan Allen were there -- for real. But few took much notice of those highly touted rookies at San Diego Chargers rookie camp.
All eyes for most of the day were glued to the rookie wearing No. 50 -- Manti Te'o.
Te'o, the second-round pick out of Notre Dame, was back on the football field for the first time since January when it became known that he was the victim of a catfishing hoax, and his girlfriend never existed.
"It doesn't really matter what people say," Te'o told U-T San Diego. "The only thing that matters to me is what I do on the field and what my teammates know me as. Know me as a guy who works hard and loves the game."
He appeared to be nervous during the early portion of the practice, but was able to rally and show signs of leadership, something the Chargers and new coach Mike McCoy are counting on.
"He's a natural leader, just goes out there and plays. He ran the defensive huddle all day today and did a great job," McCoy said.
Te'o, who has a good chance to earn a starting job, admitted to being excited, but not nervous.
"It's a new beginning, a new chapter in my life," Te'o said. "Once I got out there I think the nervousness left and it was all excitement. It was fun."
