This guy simply lost his train of though, went into panic mode because he knew he was on CNN, probably sweating, couldn't catch his breath and came off looking very bad.
They did an outstanding job by being the only media organization find out that Lennay was not real.
Beyond that, I won't be bragging about assumptions and VERY loose sourcing, as well as what seems like a never-dying effort to blame Manti for making it up.
The reason? it would make for a juicer story.
And the friend who was 80 percent sure is something I'd never allow in any story as far as sourcing goes.
Oh, by the way Deadspin. Of course Te'o had a connection with Tuiasasopo, he was the one reaching out to Manti to perpetuate the hoax.