The fact that Manti Te'o thought for a long time that he was dating, like, a fake girl and then that she died and did the tribute and the girl never existed. I mean inherently that's funny.

In this quote, Dave Portnoy reflects on the bizarre and humorous nature of the Manti Te'o scandal, where Te'o believed he was dating a woman who turned out to be a fake person. The situation became even more absurd when Te'o publicly mourned her death, doing a tribute to someone who never existed. Portnoy’s comment highlights the inherent absurdity of the situation, where a high-profile athlete was duped into believing in a fabricated relationship, only for the truth to be exposed.

Portnoy acknowledges the humor that can be found in such a bizarre situation, even though it involved emotional deception. His use of the word "funny" speaks to the strange and somewhat comical nature of the story, particularly in hindsight, despite the hurt it may have caused Te'o. The quote implies that the incongruity of the situation, where a person is led to believe in something that ultimately had no foundation, can be seen as humorous from a certain perspective.

The origin of the quote comes from Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, known for his blunt, often controversial opinions. Portnoy has built a career around commentary on pop culture and sports, and his take on the Manti Te'o scandal is consistent with his irreverent approach to such incidents. The quote showcases Portnoy’s tendency to find humor in even the most serious or uncomfortable situations.

Ultimately, Portnoy’s statement reflects how certain absurd and unexpected events, such as the Manti Te'o scandal, can be perceived as humorous, even if they involve deception and personal consequences. It underscores the idea that humor can often be found in the unexpected or ironic, even when dealing with sensitive topics.