Travis Hunter thanks dad in emotional Heisman Trophy speech – NBC Los Angeles

College of Colorado soccer star Travis Hunter had an emotional second when talking about his father throughout his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech. 

The extensive receiver and cornerback was deemed this yr’s prime collegiate soccer participant at a ceremony at New York Metropolis’s Lincoln Middle on Sunday, Dec. 15. 

In his speech, Hunter, 21, thanked his fiancée, family and friends, turning into particularly teary-eyed when expressing his gratitude for his father, Travis Hunter Sr.

“I wish to say one thing to my father. He’s not right here. However I do know you’re watching on TV,” Hunter stated, wiping tears from his eyes. “Dad, I like you. All of the stuff you went by way of, man. Now, have a look at your oldest son. I did it for you, man.”

“All of the instances that you just ain’t get to see me, and the instances that you just got here to see my video games. From in all probability two video games in highschool to seeing me on TV each weekend and coming to see me, man, which means a lot to me.” 

He continued, “I do know you wished to be right here and you’ll’t, however belief me, I bought you. I’m bringing the trophy dwelling. I like you.” 

In accordance with The Palm Seashore Put up, Hunter Sr. was not in attendance at Sunday’s ceremony as a result of he wished his mother, Shirley Hunter, to be there along with her grandson in New York. 

“He might have went,” Shirley Hunter instructed the outlet of her son, Hunter Sr. “He simply wished me to go in his place as a result of I hadn’t been (to New York) and he wished me to go as a substitute of himself.” 

Hunter Sr. instructed The Palm Seashore Put up, nevertheless, that he plans to be there at his son’s future main life occasions. 

“I wish to be there when he will get married and when he will get drafted. I’m going to observe this from dwelling,” he stated.

Through the speech, Hunter additionally took a second to particularly thank his mother, Ferrante Edmonds, and his fiancée, Leanna Lenee. 

“I wish to thank my fiancée and my mom,” Hunter stated. “They’ve been with me for the reason that first time I had surgical procedure my first yr of school. They by no means took a step away from me. All of the arduous hours. All of the arduous days. All of the instances I didn’t wish to get up and even get on my cellphone, have a look at soccer — y’all stayed with me. I’m very grateful for y’all.” 

He continued of Edmonds, “I’m grateful. I’m grateful for my mom. She took me out of Florida. Dangerous space, I’m at all times getting in hassle, to now look the place I’m at. It’s loopy.” 

Earlier this yr, Hunter stunned his mother with a house in Savannah, Georgia, sharing a heartwarming video to YouTube of her response. Within the clip, he describes the five-bedroom home as “very, very good.” 

In February, Hunter and Lenee introduced their engagement in an Instagram submit. On a November episode of the “2Legendary” podcast, Hunter confirmed that the couple plans to get married in Might 2025. 

Hunter, a junior at Colorado, stated in November that he “for positive” plans to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, in keeping with the NFL.

The 2-way soccer star started his faculty profession with coach Dion Sanders at Jackson State College, then adopted Sanders to Colorado. He is anticipated to play within the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28 when Colorado takes on BYU. 

In accordance with the NFL, Hunter obtained first-team All-Large 12 honors as each a defensive again and a large receiver. He was additionally named the convention’s 2024 Defensive Participant of the 12 months.

This story initially appeared on TODAY.com. Learn extra from TODAY: