Colorado’s two-way phenom, Travis Hunter, has missed his shot at winning the nation’s top defensive back honor, the Jim Thorpe Award, which his mentor Deion Sanders won in 1988. The Jim Thorpe Association recently announced the finalists, and while fans and critics expressed disappointment, Coach Prime appeared the most stunned by Hunter’s omission.
His reaction was like that of a caring father, fiercely proud of his son’s achievements even when the world seemed to overlook their efforts.
Dan Patrick Weighs in on Deion Sanders’ Fiery Defense of Travis Hunter
On a recent episode of The Dan Patrick Show, football analyst Dan Patrick shared his thoughts on Sanders’ fiery response to the snub, including Sanders’ public declaration to give away his own Jim Thorpe Award to Hunter.
Patrick, at first, questioned whether winning the award was crucial for Hunter, especially since the standout player is already a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy.
But Patrick supported Sanders’ reaction, expressing how the coach is simply standing behind his best player, who was a strong contender for the honor.
Patrick explained: “He has a very paternal approach to his players, like a fatherly figure. There’s tough love. It’s important to have their back, especially in college. I don’t know if it’d work in the NFL, but this fatherly figure, it works, and he’s saying that Travis Hunter — it’s embarrassing, it’s idiotic that he got snubbed.”
Patrick also noted how Sanders’ paternal approach resonates in college football, where young talents seek inspiration. At Colorado, Sanders has excelled in recruiting the nation’s top players, reflecting his influence on and off the field. Patrick suggested that this dynamic might explain why Coach Prime is better suited for success in college football than in the NFL.
Deion Sanders Defends Travis Hunter After Jim Thorpe Award Snub
Sanders has been outspoken, openly advocating for Hunter to win every major accolade, from the Heisman to the Biletnikoff and even the Jim Thorpe Award. However, few expected Sanders to be this upset over missing just one of them.
At his weekly press conference in Boulder on Tuesday, Sanders stated, “How is Travis Hunter snubbed by the Jim Thorpe Award? You can have my award. You can have it back. Matter of fact, I’m going to give it mine. I ain’t using it, just sit up there collecting dust. So Travis could have my Thorpe Award. Because if this ain’t the most idiotic thing in college football — that he’s not a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.”
Coach Prime on Travis Hunter not being a finalist for the Jim Thorpe award:
“How is Travis Hunter snubbed by the Thorpe. You can have my award, you can have it back. In fact i’m gonna give him mine” pic.twitter.com/vHHUF24CzA
— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) November 26, 2024
This year, the finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award are Texas’ Jahdae Barron, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, and Georgia’s Malaki Starks. While Hunter was snubbed for the title of best defensive back, he remains a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which honors the nation’s top wide receiver.
Hunter’s remarkable performance on both offense and defense includes 82 receptions for 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns on offense, along with three interceptions, nine pass breakups, and 30 tackles on defense. These impressive stats have also positioned him as a leading contender in the Heisman race.
So, will Hunter secure the other two prestigious awards, or could he face more surprises ahead?