Two-way Colorado football star Travis Hunter won the coveted Heisman Trophy on December 14.
But the days that followed were rife with controversy as the star college football player’s relationship with his fiancée Leanna Lenee was put under the microscope. Some fans took aim at Lenee for her behavior in videos that circulated online.
Since then, Hunter’s teammate Sheduer Sanders decided to address the controversy. The Buffaloes quarterback suggested that critics should stop commenting on the wide receiver and defensive back’s personal lives.
“All of you athletes, entertainers, artists, etc., if you really try to yell at Trav, you know how to contact him or someone close to him,” Sanders wrote on X on Sunday. “At this point, you guys are just posting to the algorithm trying to look good.”
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Shedeur Sanders #2 and Travis Hunter #12 of the University of Colorado Buffaloes speak to the media at Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World Las Vegas on July 21, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Louis Grasse/Getty Images)
At least one video on social media appeared to show Lenee remaining in her seat moments after Hunter was named the 2024 Heisman winner. NFL icon and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders appeared to ask Lenee to stand standing. Lenee finally briefly hugged Hunter before quickly sitting back down amid the audience’s applause.
Hunter and Lenee’s engagement was publicly confirmed earlier this year.
SHEDEUR SANDERS AND TRAVIS HUNTER HAVE THE LARGEST DISABILITY INSURANCE IN CFB HISTORY TO COVER THEIR BOWL GAME
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.
Hunter addressed the situation during a Twitch livestream, saying his fiancée cried herself to sleep and consumed alcohol because of the reaction.
Colorado’s Travis Hunter holds the trophy after winning the Heisman Trophy as college football’s outstanding player, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in New York. (Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via AP, Pool)
“You know the pain when you just cry yourself to sleep,” Hunter said, before adding that he didn’t want Lenee to “fall asleep sad” after drinking.
“I know what I’ve got. I know my girl. My girl’s been with me for five years,” Hunter said. “You all are just now starting to talk about me and you’re just now starting to be with me. Come on, man.”
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Dakota State on Thursday, August 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Last week, Lenee took to TikTok to address the criticism.
“People say I’m like, ‘What am I supposed to do? Just sit here?’ “he said on December 16 in response to a clip. “That’s not what I said in the first place.”
On Monday, TMZ reported that Hunter decided to deactivate his Instagram account. Hunter has yet to publicly reveal any details about his decision.
Hunter is projected to be one of the first players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. But he is still expected to play in the Alamo Bowl game against BYU.
