Travis Hunter, one of the most exciting and versatile players in modern football history, will realize his dream of having his father see him drafted into the NFL.
Travis Hunter Jr. will have Travis Hunter Sr. in town for the Draft
Travis Hunter Sr. is on probation and under court-ordered home confinement in Boynton Beach, Fla., about 70 miles north of Miami. However, he got the court’s permission to go see his son walk the stage during the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24 in Green Bay, Wis., according to the Palm Beach Post.
Hunter Sr. is reportedly ordered to only travel between his hotel and the site of the event at the historic Lambeau Field. The court order states that Hunter must return to his home in Boynton Beach on Friday.
Travis Hunter Sr. missed his son’s Heisman Trophy win
The father was conspicuously absent when his world-class athletic son won the Heisman Trophy, college football’s highest honor, in New York in November 2024.
Hunter Sr., 39, had been released from a 90-day sentence at the Palm Beach County West Detention Center in Belle Glade for gun and drug charges nearly two weeks before the Heisman ceremony. He was placed on three years’ probation with the first year under home confinement.
Hunter Sr. probably could have gotten permission to go to the ceremony. But in an act of selflessness, the father opted to have his mother, Travis Hunter Jr.’s grandmother, go to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in his place.
“He just wanted me to go in his place because I hadn’t been [to New York] and he wanted me to go instead of himself,” Shirley Hunter told reporters after the Heisman ceremony, according to the Palm Beach Post.
Travis Hunter Sr. dedicated his Heisman speech to his dad
Hunter Jr., who marveled fans playing full-time offense and defense for Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes, acknowledged Hunter Sr. during his acceptance speech.
“And I want to say something to my father. He’s not here to be able to make it, but I know you’re watching on TV,” said the award-winning wide receiver and cornerback. “Dad, I love you. All the stuff you went through, man, look at your older son. I did it for you, man.”
Hunter Jr. continued: “All the times that you didn’t get to see me. When the times you came to see my games, from not seeing probably two games in high school to seeing me on TV every weekend and come to see me, man. That means so much to me. I know you wanted to be here and you can’t, but trust me, I got you. I’m bringing the trophy home. I love you.”
After years of watching his star son break records in college — catching touchdown passes and getting interceptions — Hunter Sr. will now be able to see his son walk the stage and shake hands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
