Travis Hunter, a former No. 1 high school prospect, was a sure-fire bet for Coach Prime, whose reckoning came true when the dual-threat’s name was named the Heisman winner on Dec. 14 in New York. Hunter became 2024’s best college football player, the first two-way honoree since 1997, and only the second Colorado athlete to win the award (Rashaan Salaam, 1994).
Travis Hunter Sr. Emotional After Son’s Touching Speech
In his acceptance speech, Hunter took a moment to thank his parents, friends, and coaches, with his heartfelt words moving many to tears. At one moment, Hunter mentioned his dad, Travis Hunter Sr., who was watching from his mother’s home in Boynton Beach, Florida:
“I want to say something to my father. I know you’re watching on TV. Dad, I love you. All the stuff you went through, man. Now, look at your oldest son. I did it for you, man. All the times that you ain’t get to see me, and the times that you came to see my games. From probably two games in high school to seeing me on TV every weekend and coming to see me, man, that means so much to me.
“I know you wanted to be here and you can’t, but trust me, I got you. I’m bringing the trophy home. I love you.”
Hunter Sr. couldn’t contain his tears as he listened to his son’s touching tribute. While his brothers Jeremy and George celebrated with other family members and friends, Hunter Sr. celebrated the moment with a hand on his back.
Travis hunters father live reaction to his heisman speech ‼️ beautiful moment🔥 #HE12MAN pic.twitter.com/NBm0AcQJrO
— Dalvin truth (@dalvinthetruth) December 16, 2024
Hunter Sr. did not attend the ceremony in New York, instead sending all his love with Hunter’s grandmother, Shirley Hunter, who was there on his behalf. A week before the event, he shared with the Palm Beach Post: “I don’t want to go. I want to be there when he gets married and when he gets drafted. I’m going to watch this from home.”
Talking about the moment when both her son and her grandson were in tears during the acceptance speech, Shirley said: “His dad was doing the same thing because they are very close.”
Meanwhile, Travis Sr. knew his son’s achievement was not a stroke of luck: “I really don’t feel no different because I always know he could win, if he put his mind to win. He’s always had that since he started playing football when he was four years old.”
An extraordinary athlete in his own right, Hunter Sr. excelled in track during high school, setting a record in the 100-meter sprint, alongside breaking his school’s 4×100-meter relay time, according to Sports Illustrated. His family then shifted to Georgia, where he began his stint as a high school footballer.
With the Heisman Trophy now on his honors shelf, Hunter is projected to be a Day 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. According to PFN’s latest mock, he will be selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 5.