*As we reported earlier, Travis Hunter, the dynamic cornerback and wide receiver for the Colorado Buffaloes celebrated a monumental achievement on Saturday night, winning the prestigious 2024 Heisman Trophy.
However, the joyous occasion was somewhat overshadowed by criticism directed at his longtime girlfriend, Leanna Lenee. The couple, who got engaged earlier this year, found themselves amid a social media storm when Lenee’s reaction during the ceremony drew negative attention.
During the Heisman Awards ceremony held at the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in New York City, viewers noticed that Lenee did not immediately stand up in excitement when Hunter’s name was announced as the winner.
Video footage showed Colorado coach Deion Sanders nudging her to get on her feet, and this moment quickly went viral, sparking mixed reactions online.
Watch it happen via the X video below.
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Deion Sanders made Travis Hunter’s girlfriend stand up when he was announced as the Heisman winner ?
pic.twitter.com/itfQTfydL5— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) December 15, 2024
WNBA star Angel Reese was among those who came to Lenee’s defense, urging critics to leave the couple alone and allow them to enjoy their moment of happiness.
“Leave that girl alone & let them be happy damn!” she wrote. Reese added on her X account: “I don’t know that boy at all. I’m just supporting another athlete but why do y’all care so much? AGAIN, they are happy. Y’all wanna be internet relationship experts so bad. This is why we want to keep things private ’cause y’all always gonna try to find SOMETHING.”
In response to the backlash, Hunter took to social media. During a live stream on Twitch, he expressed his discontent with critics, stating,
“You ain’t never had no girl so why are y’all talking about me,” Hunter said in a livestream on Twitch. “Find someone else to talk about… Go talk about your girl. Go find a girl. Go find a life. Stop worrying about what I got going on. I know what I got. He added: “My girl been with me for five years. y’all are just now starting to talk about me… y’all go do something else with y’all life. Clickbait pages stop, y’all better stop I’m telling y’all. Something bad is gonna happen to y’all [if you] keep doing that. Y’all better stop that. I ain’t playing.”
He encouraged detractors to find something else to focus on rather than their relationship. Hunter emphasizes the bond he shares with Lenee, insisting that they are inseparable and that he feels her pain.
Addressing another viral video that showed Lenee appearing unhappy, Hunter clarified that the couple was simply discussing their evening plans and acknowledged that they had both been through a draining emotional experience.
“It’s hard on me because I can’t even help her,” he said, calling for people to send her positive messages instead of contributing to the negativity.
Meanwhile, Hunter’s emotional acceptance speech at the Heisman ceremony highlighted his gratitude toward Lenee and his mother, who have stood by him throughout his challenges, including surgeries during his college career.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said, amplifying the impact of their unwavering support: “All the hard hours. All the hard days… y’all stayed with me.”
As both a rising football star and a fiancé, Travis Hunter is drawing attention not just for his athletic prowess but also for his emotional commitment to those he holds dear in the face of social scrutiny. As the couple navigates this new chapter in their lives, many are now rallying behind them, sending well wishes and encouragement in a moment that should be celebrated.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Travis Hunter (Colorado’s Dynamic Two-way Star) WINS the Coveted 2024 Heisman Trophy | WATCH
