NEW YORK – Dr. Phil McGraw says the man who masterminded the girlfriend hoax that became a sensation when it was exposed this month did so because he was “deeply, romantically” in love with Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o.
McGraw spoke on the “Today” show Wednesday, previewing an interview he did with Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, a California man who set up the fake identity of Lennay Kekua. Tuiasosopo’s interview with McGraw will air in two parts on the “Dr. Phil Show” starting today. “Dr. Phil” airs locally at 4 p.m. on WISE-TV.
The story of how Te’o learned Kekua “died” on the same day in September as his grandmother became a major story during the football season.
Basketball
Around the NBA
A source says Memphis has agreed to trade swingman Rudy Gay to Toronto. The Raptors gave up point guard Jose Calderon and forward Ed Davis in the deal that also included Grizzlies backup center Hamed Haddadi. Memphis then shipped Calderon to Detroit for Austin Daye and Tayshaun Prince.. … Brooklyn center Brook Lopez has been chosen to replace the injured Boston guard Rajon Rondo on the Eastern Conference All-Star team. … Kyrie Irving won’t be going to All-Star weekend alone. Cleveland teammates Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller will play in next month’s Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star activities in Houston. Irving has already been picked as an All-Star reserve.
High school girls
Concordia defeated Carroll 50-45, Eastside defeated Howe 72-30, and Angola downed New Haven 59-17 in high school girls games. DeJour Young led the host Cadets with 16 points, Jayden Lilly had 20 for host Eastside, and Rachel Rinehart scored 18 for visiting Angola.
Football
49er apologizes for anti-gay comments
San Francisco cornerback Chris Culliver apologized for anti-gay remarks he made during a Super Bowl media day interview a day earlier. “The derogatory comments I made yesterday were a reflection of thoughts in my head, but they are not how I feel,” he said in a statement released by the team.
Tuesday, Culliver said he wouldn’t welcome a gay player in the locker room. He also said the 49ers didn’t have any homosexual players and, if they did, those players should leave.
Colts add coaches
Indianapolis added two assistant coaches to their staff. Hal Hunter will serve as the assistant offensive line coach after spending the past seven seasons in San Diego. Tim Berbenich will serve as an offensive assistant. He has spent nine seasons in the NFL, six of those with Tampa Bay.
Colts sign receiver
Indianapolis signed Arena Football League receiver Jeremy Kelley to a reserve-future contract. Kelley made 19 catches for 231 yards with seven TDs for the Utah Blaze last season.
Super Bowl game officials named
The NFL has chosen its seven-man officiating crew for Sunday’s Super Bowl. Jerome Boger will be the referee in his first Super Bowl assignment. The other officials announced Wednesday are Darrell Jenkins (umpire), Steve Stelljes (head linesman), Byron Boston (line judge), Craig Wrolstad (field judge), Joe Larrew (side judge) and Dino Paganelli (back judge).
Newtown chorus in pre-game show
A chorus featuring 26 children from Sandy Hook Elementary School will sing “America the Beautiful” Sunday as part of CBS’s pre-game show. It will be broadcast live.
Seattle LB arrested on assault charges
Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill has been arrested after police say he assaulted his girlfriend and kept her in his home against her will.
Golf
Singh admits using deer-antler spray
Vijay Singh has admitted he used deer-antler spray. The 49-year-old Fijian released a statement, saying he hadn’t been aware that it may contain a substance banned by the PGA Tour. His use was reported by Sports Illustrated.
Hockey
Around the NHL
In St. Paul, Minn., Matt Cullen scored in a shootout to lift Minnesota to a 3-2 victory over Chicago, handing the Blackhawks their first loss. In Ottawa, Daniel Alfredsson scored his first goal of the season and the Ottawa Senators beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-1.
