Travis Hunter, a standout in college football, has made a name for himself with his rare ability to excel on both offense and defense. His elite two-way performance has earned him multiple honors, including two first-team All-American selections and the AP Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Recently, on “The Travis Hunter Show,” he opened up about the grandparent whom he looks up to for guidance and support.
Travis Hunter Opens Up About His Guiding Grandparent Figure
On The Travis Hunter Show, college football star Travis Hunter revealed how Lenny Ali, Muhammad Ali’s wife, has played a special role in his life.
“You know, Miss Lenny Ali’s wife, you know, she’s always been cool… like a person that you know if you need anything, you go talk to,” Hunter shared. “She’s very sweet… like another grandparent to me.”
In January, Hunter was honored as the first-ever recipient of the Muhammad Ali Center’s Emerging G.O.A.T. Award. Reflecting on Ali’s legacy, he explained,
“How Ali is and his legacy and how great he he was… you can still feel the impact of his… They don’t put his name on a lot of stuff, so when they put his name on something, you know it’s official… That’s colossal, got to represent.”
Hunter, who started his career at Jackson State, became the first Heisman Trophy winner from an HBCU. His 2024 season was historic, with 92 receptions as a wide receiver and 15 passes defensed on defense.
His two-way dominance earned him both the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defender) and the Fred Biletnikoff Award (top receiver), making him only the second player in history to achieve this feat.
Travis Hunter Responds to Travis Kelce’s Take on His Two-Way Play
Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce recently shared his thoughts on Travis Hunter’s ability to play both offense and defense at the NFL level. Speaking on the New Heights podcast, Kelce acknowledged the challenge ahead for Hunter.
“He’s gonna have to prove that he can do it. Nobody has ever played every single play on both sides. When Deion (Sanders) did it, he was in, like, nickel. He was in certain packages,” Kelce explained. “In the NFL, they’ll have to scheme up around him getting too exhausted. They really have to weigh that into their play-calling, both offensively and defensively.”
Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, responded on “The Travis Hunter Show.”
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“Like he said, I have to prove that I can do it. So that’s my main thing. Imma prove that I’m gonna do it, and I can do it,” Hunter stated. “I just can’t go to the league, and they just, ‘Oh, here you go, Trav, you could do all this,’ and I don’t go out and show up how I’m supposed to show up.”
In his final college season, Hunter dominated both ways, recording 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a wide receiver. On defense, he tallied 35 tackles, four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
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