Notre Dame Linebacker and possible Heisman contender Manti Te'o is the center of a new viral YouTube video.
A new video produced by Notre Dame Athletics called "Te'o" was uploaded on Saturday and by 11:43 p.m. Sunday had over 60,000 people had watched the video. The song is a remake to the tune of Harry Belafonte's "Day-O (Banana Boat)," which most people remember from the movie "Beetlejuice."
"The speed and momentum it’s received is a testament to how special he is to the Notre Dame community," said singer and co-writer Pat McKillen, who graduated from Notre Dame in 2010 with a major in Science.
McKillen was contacted by Brian Hardin and David Peloquin from the Notre Dame Athletic Media Relations Office to produce the song.
"We were looking for a fun way to promote Manti," said Hardin, who will be traveling with Te'o this week to six different award ceremonies across the country, including the Heisman Trophy ceremony Saturday night.
When asked about scheduling time for an interview in between traveling and award ceremonies, Hardin said it would be tough because Te'o is studying for finals which start the Monday he gets back to South Bend.
This All-American football player, who grew up in Oahu, helped lead the Notre Dame Football team to a perfect season and a shot at the BCS National Championship Game.
It was during a trip to Los Angeles to face off against the Southern California Trojans, when Hardin and Peloquin came up with the idea. Peloquin wrote most of the words and then contacted McKillen before that game to see if he could throw something together.
McKillen began working on the song Friday morning and sent it over to Peloquin by 3 p.m. that day.
"I really wanted it to be upbeat," said McKillen, who recorded the song in his studio at home. "I love that it's upbeat and think it fits Manti's personality."
