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Travis Hunter's Father Provides Fuel for Colorado Star's Success

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 3:06 PM ET

When Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy award as the best player in college football back in December, his father, Travis Hunter Sr., wasn’t there to witness it.

The 21-year-old two-way star logged 96 catches, 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense, plus 35 tackles, 11 passes defensed, eight forced incompletions, four interceptions, and a 56.1 completion percentage against on defense, per Pro Football Focus.

He also cleaned up on awards along the way, winning the Walter Camp, Chuck Bednarik and Fred Biletnikoff awards, as well as being named the AP College Football Player of the Year and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year plus earning unanimous All-American and first-team All-Big 12 honors in addition to the Heisman.

But because of the terms of Hunter Sr.’s probation, he had to watch the biggest moment of his son’s life to that point on a television screen with the rest of America.

However, just because his father wasn’t there in person, it didn’t make the moment any less memorable for Hunter, who gave his dad an emotion-filled shout out during his acceptance speech.

“Dad, I love you,” Hunter said. “All the stuff you went through, man. I look at your oldest son. I did this for you, man. I know you wanted to be here and you can't.”

Both Hunters received some good news, however, regarding the 2025 NFL draft when Hunter Sr. was given permission by the court to attend the event in person in Green Bay.

The elder Hunter is serving a three-year probation sentence for gun and drug charges stemming from a 2023 arrest. He’d been ordered to spend the first year of his probation under home confinement, which meant he couldn’t attend the Heisman ceremony, but he has been given permission to attend the draft, where his son is expected to be a top-three pick.

While in Green Bay, Hunter Sr. is only allowed to go to Lambeau Field, where the draft is being held, and his hotel, and he was required to submit a travel itinerary to his community control officer as part of the agreement.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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