Travis Hunter has quickly become one of the NFL’s most talked-about rookies after a historic college career and a strong start with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Colorado star and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner has already posted 28 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown through his first seven NFL games while continuing to contribute on defense with 15 tackles and three passes defended.
Despite his success, Travis Hunter and his wife, Leanna Lenee, have already decided they would rather not see their future son follow the same path into football.
Travis Hunter and Leanna Lenee Share Their Reason
Leanna Lenee addressed the topic during an Instagram Q&A after a follower asked, “Why wouldn’t you want your bby to play football?”
She responded with a clear explanation.
“My husband and I both are scared of CTE. We also don’t want him to spend his life trying to live up to his father and the accolades he has received,” Leanna Lenee said.
Her first concern was CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The brain disease has been linked to repeated head impacts and has remained a major issue in football as the sport continues working to improve player safety.
Lenee also pointed to the pressure that could come with being the child of one of football’s biggest stars. Hunter’s accomplishments have set an unusually high standard at both the college and professional levels.
Before entering the NFL, Hunter became the first full-time two-way player in decades to win the Heisman Trophy. During his final season at Colorado, he caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and 31 tackles on defense.
Hunter also earned the Walter Camp Award, Bednarik Award, and Biletnikoff Award before being selected second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft.
That success has continued in Jacksonville. Through seven games, Hunter has totaled 28 receptions for 298 receiving yards and one touchdown on offense while also appearing at cornerback, where he has recorded 15 tackles and three passes defended.
Lenee’s comments offer a glimpse into how the couple views their family’s future. While Travis Hunter continues building his NFL career, they say concerns about CTE and the pressure of living up to his achievements are the main reasons they would not encourage their future son to play football.
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