Watch: Manti Te'o makes emotional return to Notre Dame

Nearly a decade ago, Manti Te'o was seemingly on top of the world. 

Te'o was a standout linebacker for Notre Dame and a finalist for almost every collegiate football award under the sun. 

Then, things came crashing down. 

The national spotlight would shine brightly on Te'o, but not for his accolades on the gridiron. Te'o fell victim to an elaborate catfishing scheme that, once revealed, turned the budding stars' world upside down. 

Earlier this year, Netflix released a series allowing Te'o to tell the "untold" truth of the story. On Saturday, Te'o took another step toward putting the past behind him. 

Te'o made a triumphant return to South Bend ahead of Notre Dame's matchup against the California Golden Bears. 

Seemingly everywhere Te'o went on Saturday, he was greeted enthusiastically by the Irish faithful.