Colorado Buffaloes head football coach Deion Sanders addressed his former player Travis Hunter’s decision turn off social media accounts in response to comments about Hunter’s fiancée, Leanna Lenee.
Hunter and Lenee’s Instagram accounts were deactivated on December 23, days after Hunter won the Heisman Trophy. During the ceremony, there were several discussions on social media about the event harsh criticism of Hunter and Lenee as a couple. Hunter’s account has now been reactivated.
Sanders gave his response to Hunter’s situation in an interview on the “Tamron Hall Show.”
“It hurt me that he did that,” Sanders said of Hunter’s deactivation. “What the enemy wants you to do is stop.”
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Sanders criticized Hunter for neglecting the business side of his decision. As a former college and future professional athlete with an NIL valuation of $5.2 million, Hunter’s activity on social media accounts is likely directly tied to endorsements, according to On3.com.
“You have endorsements, you have people who have sponsored you to talk about their product,” Sanders said. “We need to activate now.”
Sanders was also critical of Hunter for backing down and suggested his response would leave him vulnerable to “attacks.”
“If someone stays still, you now have a chance to attack, and I hate the silence of that. Keep moving. Don’t let the enemy get to you while you’re quiet and you’re feeling sorry for yourself,” Sanders said, adding adding that he told Hunter about the situation.
Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter after winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy. (Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via Imagn Images)
Hunter discussed the situation during a Twitch livestreamsaying his fiancée cried herself to sleep and drank because of the reaction.
Lenee previously posted a video to her TikTok account in an attempt to put an end to the negativity on December 16.
“I’m tired, emotionally and mentally. I’ve seen people trying to portray me as a person that I’m not,” Lenee said in the almost eight minute clip.
She also addressed the negativity surrounding her reaction to Hunter’s win the Heisman Trophy.
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At least one video on social media appeared to show Lenee remaining in her seat moments after Hunter was named the 2024 Heisman recipient. Deion Sanders then seemed to prompt Lenee to stand up. Lenee eventually hugged Hunter briefly before quickly sitting back down to the crowd’s standing ovation.
Other video footage appeared to show Lenee remaining seated as Hunter greeted and posed for photos with fans at an event in New York City the day after the Heisman ceremony. Some fans tried to analyze Lenee’s behavior during her time at the event and even suggested that she was annoyed.
“When his name was called, I immediately wanted to get up. If you watch the video, his mom wasn’t getting up, so I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I won’t get up, I’m just sitting here,'” she said. “As soon as I saw Travis stand up, I thought it would be appropriate to stand up, greet him and congratulate him.
“But then there was a camera right in front of Coach Prime, and I knew they were going to film that moment and because of the way people are online, I was like, ‘I don’t want to be in that shot.’ So I sat down.
Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter (12) of the Colorado Buffaloes on the sidelines during a game against North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field, August 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colo. (Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
“I purposefully stepped out of the camera so they could have their moment. That was it. No one told me to get up. No one had to tell me to celebrate with him. I just sat there and cried. I wanted to taking it in. I was super excited for him, but I wanted the moment to be about him and his family.”
Hunter’s teammate, quarterback Sheduer Sandershas also addressed the controversy. The Buffaloes quarterback suggested critics should stop voicing their opinions on Hunter’s personal life.
“All athletes, entertainers, artists etc. if you all sincerely try to talk to Trav you will all know how to get in touch with him or anyone nearby,” Sanders wrote on X Sunday. “Right now y’all are just posting for the algorithm to look cool.”
Hunter and Lenee’s engagement was publicly confirmed earlier this year.
Hunter is expected to be a top selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.
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