The big day finally arrived for Travis Hunter as he won college football’s most prestigious honor, the Heisman Trophy. It was a remarkable achievement for both him and his family, as their son was named the best player of the season.
While the ceremony was filled with excitement, there was one notable absence—his father. It’s rare to see such a big moment for a son without the family present, especially for a two-way star like Travis Hunter.
During the ceremony, Travis Hunter gave a touching speech about his dad not being there but knowing he was watching from home. This was normal for Hunter Sr., who often watches his son’s games on TV. He expressed that his absence hurt, as it always does when he can’t attend a game.
Travis Hunter speaking directly to his father, who couldn't make the Heisman ceremony tonight, is the only video you need to see tonight pic.twitter.com/lCa0W9yt5s
— Nick Rothschild (@nick_rothschild) December 15, 2024
In an interview, Hunter Sr. shared that he didn’t want to attend the Heisman ceremony. He preferred to watch from home in Georgia and wanted to be there for more special moments. He said, “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.”
Why Travis Hunter’s father was sent to jail
Travis Hunter’s dad is a former semi-pro football player who won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2007. He received a 90-day jail sentence last year in September. He served his time at the Palm Beach County West Detention Center in Belle Glade.
The charges against him haven’t been made public. However, he was released early for good behavior. During that time, he missed his son’s games in person because he was in jail and could only watch them on TV.
