Deion Sanders criticizes Travis Hunter for deactivating social media after online comments about fiancée
Colorado Buffaloes head football coach Deion Sanders reflected on his former player Travis Hunter’s decision to deactivate social networks account in response to comments about Hunter’s fiancee, Leanna Lenee.
Hunter and Lene’s Instagram accounts were deactivated on December 23, a few days after Hunter won the Heisman Trophy. During the ceremony, discussions on social media about the event included several harsh criticism Hunter and Lenea 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 what it was,” Sanders said of Hunter’s deactivation. “What the enemy wants is for you to stop.”
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Sanders criticized Hunter for ignoring the business side of his decision. As a former student and future professional athlete with a 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 need to activate now.”
Sanders was also critical of Hunter for withdrawing and suggested his response would leave him vulnerable to “attacks.”
“When someone stays still, now you have an opportunity to attack, and I hate that stillness. Keep moving. Don’t let the enemy catch you while you’re still and feeling sorry for yourself,” Sanders said, adding that he told Hunter about the situation.
Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter after winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy. (Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via Imagn Images)
Hunter spoke about the situation during Twitch live streamsaying his fiancee cried herself to sleep and drank because of the reaction.
Lenee previously posted a video on her TikTok account in an attempt to end the negativity on December 16.
“I’m tired, emotionally and mentally. I’ve seen people trying to make me into someone I’m not,” Lenee said in clip of almost eight minutes.
She also addressed the negativity of her reaction to Hunter’s win Heisman trophy.
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At least one video has surfaced on social media showing Lenee staying in her seat moments after Hunter was announced as the 2024 Heisman winner. Deion Sanders then appeared to urge Lenee to stand. Lenee did end up giving Hunter a brief hug before quickly sitting down to a standing ovation from the crowd.
Other videos showed Lenee remaining seated as Hunter greeted and posed for photos with fans at an event in New York the day after the Heisman ceremony. Some fans tried to analyze Lenee’s behavior during her time at the event and even suggested that she was irritated.
“When his name was called, I immediately wanted to get up. If you look at the video, his mom didn’t get up, so I said, ‘Oh, maybe I won’t get up, I’m just sitting here,'” she said. “As soon as I saw Travis get up, I thought it was appropriate to get up, greet him, congratulate him.
“But then the camera was right in front of Coach Prime and I knew they were going to capture that moment and, because of how people are online, I said, ‘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 sideline during the game against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field on August 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colo. (Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
“I walked off camera, on purpose, so they could have their moment. That’s all. Nobody told me to get up. Nobody had to tell me to celebrate with him. I just sat there and cried. I wanted to accept it. I was I’m really excited for him, but I wanted the moment to be about him and his family.”
Hunter’s teammate, fullback Sheduer Sandersalso addressed the controversy. The Buffaloes quarterback suggested that critics should stop judging Hunter’s personal life.
“All you athletes, entertainers, artists, etc. if you’re really trying to call Trav, you know how to get in touch with him or someone nearby,” Sanders wrote on X Sunday. “At this point you’re all just posting for the algorithm trying to look cool.”
Hunter and Lena’s engagement was publicly confirmed earlier this year.
Hunter is projected to be the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
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