Travis Hunter won the 2024 Heisman Trophy while his father, Travis Hunter Sr., watched him lifting the award on TV from home.
Travis Hunter Jr. is an American football cornerback and wide receiver for the Colorado Buffaloes, known for his two-way playing ability.
He was the first college football player to win the Chuck Bednarik and Fred Biletnikoff Awards.
21 years old, Travis Hunter won the 79th Heisman Trophy. His acceptance speech highlighted his gratitude towards his family, notably for his father.
Highlights
- Travis Hunter Jr. won the 79th Heisman Trophy in New York City on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
- Hunter’s father is Travis Hunter Sr., and his mother is Ferrante Edmonds. His father is a former high school football player and track runner.
- Hunter’s father has recently been released from his 90 days in a detention center after stemming from a 2023 arrest.
Despite his father, Travis Hunter Sr., not being present at the award ceremony, Travis broke down in tears, addressing his father’s influence and sacrifice for him. He stated,
Dad, I love you,” Hunter said, blinking back tears. “All the stuff you went through, man…. look at your oldest son. I did it for you, man. All the times you ain’t get to see me, and the times that you came to see my games. From probably two games in high school to seeing me on TV every weekend and coming to see me, man, that means so much to me.”
Travis Hunter
Moreover, Travis Hunter’s father said he did not want to be at the Heisman trophy ceremony and preferred watching his son lift the trophy on TV.
Travis Hunter Sr also added,
I don’t want to go,” “I want to be there when he gets married and when he gets drafted. I’m going to watch this from home.”
Travis Hunter Sr.
Travis Hunter’s Father, Travis Hunter Sr. Is A Former High School Football And Track Star, While His Mother Is Ferrante Edmonds
Hunter Jr. was born on May 18, 2003, in West Palm Beach, Florida, to his parents, Travis Hunter Sr. and Ferrante Edmonds.
His father was a football and track star for Boynton Beech High School in the early 2000s.
In 2004, he set Boynton Beach’s school record in the 4*100-meter relay (41.63s). In 2005, after his high school graduation, Travis Sr. had ambitions of playing college football.
Similarly, Travis Hunter Sr. also played in the Florida Football Alliance and the Southern States Football League. He won the latter’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2007.
Travis Hunter speaks right into the camera to his father who was unable to attend the Heisman Ceremony.
— ESPN (@espn) December 15, 2024
Powerful message ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3fXdVQUWw1
However, his plans to join a JUCO roster in Kansas upon high school graduation were held off due to his children’s responsibilities.
As mentioned in Tallahassee Democrat, Travis Hunter Sr. stated,
I just want to play ball. I was supposed to go to Dodge, Kansas, but I had two kids, so I couldn’t leave them,”
Travis Hunter Sr.
Though his playing career failed to rise in prominence, Hunter Sr. lives his dreams through his son, Travis Hunter Jr. He has been there for his son throughout his football career, from Travis high school to his college achievement.
Hunter Jr. once said,
My dad taught me to always keep fighting. No matter the situation, stay hungry.
Travis Hunter Jr.
Furthermore, Hunter Jr’s mother, Ferrante Edmonds, is another crucial figure who has continuously supported his football career.
Edmonds is a medical billing and coding specialist and runs Per’ Sway Boutique, as per her Facebook account.
Similarly, she is married to Andre Harris. After seven months of dating, the couple tied the wedding knot on October 23, 2021.
While Travis was lifting the Heisman Trophy, his mother, Ferrante, witnessed the historic moment of being present at the ceremony venue. While the inside reporter asked about her feelings, she offered a heartfelt message stating,
They finally realized, which I already knew, that he was him; he had always been him with or without the trophy. He just brought the value that people needed to see him as a person. Never give up your dreams regardless of how far you feel you are not there yet.
Ferrante Edmonds
Travis Hunter’s Father, Travis Hunter Sr., Recently Released From Palm Beach County West Detention Center After 90 Days of Incarcerate
On December 5, 2024, Huter Jr.’s father was released from the Palm Beach Country West Detention Center in Belle Glade, three weeks before the scheduled release date.
According to a report by the Palm Beach Post, Travis Hunter Sr. went to jail in late September, stemming from a 2023 arrest.
The reason for his arrest and the details of the charges have not been released in the media.
Because of his arrest, Travis Jr’s father could not attend his son’s games in the second half of the 2024 college football season.
However, he mentioned watching his son’s game on TV, cheering him from the detention center.
About him missing his son’s games, Travis Hunter Sr. stated,
“Yeah it hurt,””Yeah it hurt,” “But it always hurts if I don’t go to a game.”
Travis Hunter Sr.
Additional Information
- As of 2024, the estimated net worth of Travis Hunter Jr. is around $6 million. His NCAA deals largely boost his income and brand endorsements.
- Travis Hunter has three siblings: his younger brother, Trayvis Hunter. He plays high school football for Effingham County in Springfield, Georgia.
- Travis Hunter Jr. is engaged to his high school sweetheart, Leanna Lenee, and plans a wedding for May 2025.
