Travis Hunter, the dynamic two-way player from Colorado, capped off an extraordinary college football season by winning this year’s Heisman Trophy. Despite narrowly beating out Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who was on the verge of breaking the all-time single-season rushing record, Hunter’s achievement is being overshadowed by a social media storm surrounding his personal life.

The NFL-bound star should ideally be focusing on preparing for the draft—choosing between a career as a receiver or cornerback, fine-tuning his game, and considering potential landing spots. Instead, Hunter and his fiancée, Leanna Lenee, have been thrust into the public eye, leading to both deleting their social media accounts amid mounting speculation about their relationship.

The Travis Hunter and Leanna Lenee Controversy

Hunter and Lenee’s relationship dates back to their teenage years, making them high school sweethearts. However, the internet has seized on moments from their public appearances, fueling rumors and unwarranted scrutiny.

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE

One viral moment came from Hunter’s final game at Colorado. After the game, he approached Lenee for an embrace, but her body language—interpreted by some as distant—ignited speculation about their relationship. Then, during the Heisman ceremony, a clip of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders seemingly prompting Lenee to stand in celebration added more fuel to the fire.

Hunter has been vocal about the toll the online commentary has taken on their relationship. During a live stream in December, he addressed the criticism, saying, “Y’all hate on me, then you go hate on my girl. We’re inseparable. If she’s hurting, I’m hurting.” He also described the emotional strain on Lenee, mentioning that the relentless attention had left her overwhelmed.

Adding to the controversy, a resurfaced clip of Lenee dancing in a music video from years ago has been widely shared, further intensifying the online chatter.

Dez Bryant Weighs In

Former NFL wide receiver Dez Bryant entered the fray, sharing his thoughts on the situation in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter). While claiming he wasn’t trying to meddle, Bryant suggested that Hunter should reconsider his engagement to Lenee, sparking backlash from fans and fellow athletes alike.

Bryant defended his comments, insisting he was offering advice rather than chasing clout. However, the post wasn’t well-received by many, including Colorado quarterback Shadeur Sanders.

Shadeur Sanders Defends Hunter

Shadeur Sanders, Hunter’s teammate and son of Deion Sanders, subtly criticized Bryant’s approach. Without naming him directly, Shadeur called out public figures for using social media to comment on private matters. “If you really care, you know how to get in touch with him,” he said, accusing such posts of being performative and aimed at gaining attention.

Looking Ahead

As Hunter steps into the next chapter of his career, he faces not only the challenges of transitioning to the NFL but also navigating life under the microscope of fame. For now, he and Lenee have chosen to step away from social media, likely in an effort to shield their relationship from further public scrutiny.