FROM CNN WIRES

(CNN) - Now, this is a weird one.

On Wednesday, Manti Te'o was a well-liked college football star. A day later, he was the butt of the latest Internet fad - posting pictures of yourself with your arm around an imaginary girlfriend. They call it "Te'oing."

The nation was abuzz Thursday with talk of Te'o after the sports website Deadspin reported Wednesday that the girlfriend Te'o said died as his team marched toward the BCS National Championship Game not only didn't die - she never existed.

Te'o, 21, said Wednesday that he'd been tricked into an online relationship that ended with him being told the woman had died from leukemia. He said he'd been taken in by a "sick joke."

Notre Dame said Te'o was the victim of an "elaborate hoax."

But many fans, sports experts and media critics took to the airwaves and the Internet, questioning that someone could pull the wool over Te'o's eyes for so long, and saying he had to be in on it.

This morning on "Early Start," CNN's Ted Rowlands reports on the latest in the Manti Te'o girlfriend hoax.

READ MORE: Fans question what is behind Te'o girlfriend hoax

FROM CNN WIRES:

(CNN) - This may be the strangest twist in a tale overflowing with strangeness.

Manti Te'o's deceased girlfriend tweeted late Wednesday night.

On a Twitter account - not verified, naturally - the "girlfriend" said the "myths" about the story that has sports fans scratching their heads will be addressed Thursday.

Whatever she says, she'll find it hard to top what's already come out about the Notre Dame linebacker and the woman he called the "love of my life."

First, sports website Deadspin published a piece dismissing as a hoax the existence of Te'o's girlfriend - the one who he said died around the same time as his real-life grandmother while his team marched toward the BCS National Championship Game.

Then Wednesday, the university held a press conference saying Te'o was the victim of a "elaborate hoax." And Te'o, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, released a statement saying he was embarrassed that he was the victim of a "sick joke."
The bizarre developments left many wondering if they, instead of Te'o, were led on - and whether the heralded linebacker was in on it.

This morning on "Early Start," CNN's Ted Rowlands breaks down the latest in the story.

READ MORE: Manti Te'o: A linebacker, a made-up girlfriend and a national hoax