Colorado Buffaloes head football coach Deion Sanders addressed his former player Travis Hunter’s decision to deactivate social media accounts in response to comments about Hunter’s fiancée, Leanna Lenee.
Hunter and Lenee’s Instagram accounts were deactivated on December 23, days after Hunter won the Heisman Trophy. During the ceremony, social media discussion about the event included several harsh criticisms of Hunter and Lenee as a couple. Hunter’s account has since been reactivated.
Sanders gave his reaction to Hunter’s situation in an interview on the “Tamron Hall Show.”
“It hurt me that he did it,” Sanders said of Hunter’s deactivation. “What the enemy wants you to do is stop.”
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Sanders criticized Hunter for neglecting the business aspect of his decision. As a former college and future professional athlete with an NIL valuation of $5.2 million, according to On3.com, Hunter’s social media account activity is likely directly related to endorsements.
“You have endorsements, you have people who have sponsored you to talk about their product,” Sanders said. “We have to activate right now.”
Sanders also criticized Hunter for backtracking and suggested his response will leave him vulnerable to “attacks.”
“When someone stands still, now you have the opportunity to attack, and I hate that stillness. Keep moving. Don’t let the enemy catch you while you’re standing still and feeling sorry for yourself,” Sanders said, adding that that’s what what he told Hunter about the situation.
SHEDEUR SANDERS AND TRAVIS HUNTER HAVE THE LARGEST DISABILITY INSURANCE IN CFB HISTORY TO COVER THEIR BOWL GAME
Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter after winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy. (Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via Imagn Images)
Hunter addressed the situation during a Twitch Live Streamsaying his fiancée cried herself to sleep and drank because of the reaction.
Lenee previously posted a video to her TikTok account in an effort to put an end to the negativity on December 16.
“I’m tired, emotionally and mentally. I’ve seen people trying to make me look like a person that I’m not,” Lenee said in the nearly eight-minute clip.
He also addressed the negativity over his response to Hunter’s win. the heisman trophy.
At least one video on social media appeared to show Lenee remaining in her seat moments after Hunter was named the 2024 Heisman winner. Deion Sanders He then seemed to prompt Lenee to get up. Lenee finally briefly hugged Hunter before quickly sitting back down during the audience’s applause.
Other video footage appeared to show Lenee remaining seated while Hunter waved and posed for photos with fans at an event in New York City the day after the Heisman ceremony. Some fans attempted to analyze Lenee’s behavior during her time at the event and even suggested that she was irritated.
“When they called him, I was instantly going to get up. If you look at the video, his mom didn’t get up, so I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I don’t get up, I just sit here,'” he said. “As soon as I saw Travis get up, I thought it was appropriate to get up and say hello and congratulate him.
“But then there was a camera right in front of Coach Prime, and I knew they were going to film that moment, and because of how people are online, I was like, ‘I don’t want to be in that shot.’ So I sat down.
Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter (12) of the Colorado Buffaloes on the sidelines during a game against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field on August 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
“I left the chamber, on purpose, so they could have their moment. That was it. No one told me to stand up. No one had to tell me to celebrate with him. I was just sitting there crying. I wanted to take it in. I was very excited for him, but I wanted the moment to be about him and his family.”
Hunter’s teammate, quarterback Sandershas also addressed the controversy. The Buffaloes quarterback suggested that critics should stop commenting on Hunter’s personal life.
“All of you athletes, entertainers, artists, etc., if you really try to yell at Trav, you will know how to contact him or someone close to him.” Sanders wrote in Sunday. “At this point, you guys are just posting to the algorithm trying to look good.”
Hunter and Lenee’s engagement was publicly confirmed earlier this year.
Hunter is projected to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
