Travis Hunter made several of his close ones proud after winning the Heisman Trophy following a stellar season with the Colorado Buffaloes alongside quarterback Shedeur Sanders and head coach Deion Sanders.
Hunter was announced the winner at Lincoln Center in New York this past Saturday, edging out runner-up Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty. Several members of Hunter’s family were in attendance, including fiancée Leanna Lenee and mother Ferrante Edmonds.
Meanwhile, according to The Palm Beach Post, Hunter’s father, Travis Hunter Sr., chose to stay home while his mother and Hunter’s grandmother, Shirley, attended the event.
Travis Hunter’s Grandmother Super Proud After Grandson’s Heisman Win
Grandmother Shirley had a big hand in helping Hunter reach where he is. At an early age, she signed Travis up for the East Boynton Wildcats. This was the foundational stone for Hunter’s football career.
“It’s overwhelming for me, Saturday night, which, I mean, that was a lot. I couldn’t even walk,” Shirley said in an interview with WPTV News. “I appreciate what he did. I’m so surprised with him. I love him so much, so much.”
🔥 A Moving Interview. Travis Hunter's Grandmother opens up about his FB journey, the Heisman Award, and sends a message
"It's overwhelming for me. I appreciate what he did. I'm so surprised of him. I love him so much"#HE12MAN
📽️ @WPTV @TravisHunterJr pic.twitter.com/a5XJWVjR4b— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) December 17, 2024
Hunter Gives Grandma Shirley a Shoutout During Heisman Acceptance Speech
When Hunter stepped on the Heisman podium, he chose to share his thanks to everyone involved in helping him to reach this stage. This, of course, included his grandmother, who was in attendance to see her grandson lift college football’s most prestigious honor.
“My grandma, you’re the person that got me to start playing football. That means so much to me,” Hunter said. “You saw the vision before I even saw the vision. At four years old, you told me to put on some pads, go outside, and play with your cousins.
“Y’all see how small I am. Just imagine me at four years old trying to put on shoulder pads,” he continued, inciting laughs. “It’s crazy. I thank you. I know you’re up there crying. I rarely talk to you, but I am telling you right now that I love you. Thank you for everything you have done.”
Grandmother Shirley also defended why Travis Hunter Sr. couldn’t attend the trophy.
“He could have gone. He just wanted me to go in his place because I hadn’t been (to New York) and he wanted me to go instead of himself,” she said.