Florida Judge denies Travis Hunter Sr. 'special treatment' request, allows son's wedding

A Florida judge has denied a motion by Travis Hunter Sr., father of NFL rookie and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter Jr., to ease restrictions on his community control supervision, according to a report by Yahoo Sports' Jason Owens.

Hunter Sr's sentence stems from gun and drug possession charges. The judge ruled that the request appeared to seek “special treatment” due to Hunter Jr.’s high-profile football career.

Through a plea agreement, Hunter Sr. received a sentence of 90 days in jail and three years of probation, with one year under community control supervision, which is essentially house arrest unless exceptions are granted by the court. His attorney, Bradford Cohen, argued that circumstances had changed, as Hunter Jr. could now employ his father and provide stable housing.

Cohen tried to explain that this wasn’t a plea for special treatment, but a legitimate reconsideration based on new personal and financial stability.

However, Judge Howard Coates saw the situation differently. “It’s given me some concern that you’re almost arguing for special treatment,” he told Cohen, rejecting the request. The Judge stated that the public might view granting any request as favoritism due to Hunter Jr.’s fame. 

“Probably 99 percent of the public out there that doesn’t have an athlete’s son who’s incredibly successful, might look at this and say, ‘This sounds like special treatment for the athlete’s father,’” he said.

Hunter Sr. was released from jail in December 2023 and missed his son’s Heisman Trophy ceremony but was later granted permission to attend the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay.

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Hunter Jr. with the No. 2 overall pick last month. He become the highest drafted cornerback and second-highest drafted wide receiver in NFL history.

Despite denying the alteration of his sentence reduction, the judge did grant a travel exception for Hunter Sr. to attend his son’s upcoming wedding in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Saturday