As to be expected, Travis Hunter has been all over the news since he became the 2024 Heisman winner.
The problem? It’s not about his award. Instead, it’s about his relationship, and it’s impacting his life, career, and now his relationship with his coach, Deion Sanders.
Hunter’s fiance Leanna Lenee has garnered significant media attention since it came to light that Lenee had allegedly appeared, and been sexualized, in a rapper’s music video, among other concerns.
Ever the supportive boyfriend, Hunter famously would “sit outside for hours while [Lenee was] inside partying, then drive [Lenee and her friends] home,” mainly because Hunter refused to drink but didn’t want to interfere with his girlfriend’s partying time.
Amidst the backlash from the media and fans, Hunter deactivated his social media accounts. His coach and father figure, Deion Sanders, wasn’t a fan of this decision.
“It hurt me,” Sanders said, per On SI. “Because what the enemy wants you to do is stop. When you're moving, it's hard to get a good shot at you. If someone stays still, now you’ve got a chance to attack with the stillness of that. Keep moving. We can't deactivate. We’ve got to activate, right now."
Coach Sanders is famously protective of Hunter, his career, and his relationship. Just recently, on Hunter's behalf, Sanders fired a shot at NFL front offices, making stern demands as to Hunter's NFL future. This opinion is far from out of place.
Thus, Travis Hunter finds himself in a very sticky situation. In an attempt to silence the media, Hunter declared "She brings value to me… She makes me money and she makes her own money. So, if you're going to say she's a gold digger, make sure you say I'm a gold digger, too."
Nevertheless, people, careers, and relationships even beyond Hunter and Lenee are being damaged by this fiasco.
Perhaps Coach Prime has a point. Hunter just needs to put his head down and keep moving.
However, Hunter likely shouldn’t deactivate his accounts again. At least, not if he values his coach’s opinion of him.