Fans Criticize Travis Hunter’s Fiancée for Her ‘Dry’ Reaction to His Heisman Trophy Win — Video

A record-breaking athlete’s historic achievement wasn’t the only standout moment of a special event in New York City — it became unforgettable for another unexpected reason.

On Saturday, December 14, college football fans witnessed a historic moment as Travis Hunter, the Colorado Buffaloes’ standout athlete, was named the winner of the 2024 Heisman Trophy. The online buzz surrounding his spectacular win has extended beyond his remarkable achievement, as fans scrutinize the reactions of those close to him during the ceremony.

The ceremony in New York City marked a monumental achievement for the two-way player, who became the second athlete from the University of Colorado to claim the prestigious award. Hunter’s emotional reaction and the heartfelt embrace with his coach, Deion Sanders, highlighted the occasion’s significance.

The announcement of Hunter’s name was met with thunderous applause as the star athlete buried his face in his hands, visibly overcome with emotion.

Standing by his side, Coach Sanders provided a reassuring hug, symbolizing their strong connection both on and off the field. Hunter’s mother and fiancée, Leanna Lenee, were also in attendance to celebrate his crowning achievement.

In a video that quickly began circulating online, Coach Sanders was seen prompting Lenee to stand as her fiancé received the award. The clip has since sparked mixed reactions, with some fans criticizing Lenee’s response as seemingly subdued during what many deemed an extraordinary moment in her fiancé’s life.

Social media platforms have since been flooded with varied opinions, sparking debate about her demeanor. On Facebook, users shared varied reactions to the viral moment. One user commented, “Her reaction was definitely dry. I would’ve been jumping up and down, crying & hugging his mom. That chick was focusing on trying to conjure up some tears.”

Another agreed, stating, “I saw that and said the same thing. She has an entitled attitude and that is not going to get her far with him.”

Others offered more tempered views, with one person writing, “She’s probably new to this! There’s a reason she’s sitting there in the first place, and in the first chair at that!. She probably thought he’ll go to his mom first. Also his father couldn’t make it so she probably got the invite by default. Let them be happy [sic].”

While some speculated on what her behavior might indicate, another user turned their attention to Coach Sanders’ involvement, saying, “Prime should be the one to stop her from running on the stage to embrace Travis. The signs are there young man [sic].”

On a more positive note, a fan praised her approach. “That was respectful…I love that she gave respect to his mom and dad first. And Deion was letting her know it was okay to hug him first. She’s humble and I love it.”

Instagram users were equally vocal, with several criticisms aimed at Lenee. One user wrote, “She is bad energy…idk if it’s his fame and the clout she is getting from it but she isn’t the one [sic].”

Another said, “that look in her eye is all i need to see… put it all in mommas name [sic].” Others voiced doubts about her sincerity, with one commenting, “Idk about her. I never speak on stuff like this, but she seems like she ain’t really there for him. Her mannerisms are weird [sic].”

On X (formerly Twitter), reactions ranged from outright disapproval to more balanced perspectives. One post read, “The main thing I learned from the Heisman Trophy ceremony.. Travis Hunter needs to find himself a new girlfriend.”

Another offered a defense, stating, “I didn’t see Travis Hunter’s girlfriend actions negatively. I thought she was trying not to be in his spotlight. I thought his girlfriend was being humble. Most girlfriends are TOO ready to jump in pictures. I thought Deion was giving her an ‘ok’. She seems nice & she’s pretty [sic].”

However, not all users were as understanding. One wrote, “Prime had to force his girl up, not a a good look [sic].” Another added, “His girl only stood up because coach prime tapped her to stand up. Not a good look at all. Oof [sic].”

Despite the social media frenzy surrounding the reactions of those closest to him, Hunter took center stage at the Heisman Trophy ceremony, using the moment to reflect on his journey and express gratitude to those who shaped his success.

Ascending the stage, Hunter appeared visibly emotional as he accepted the coveted trophy. “I never thought I’d be in this position,” he began, holding back tears. “It’s crazy. Your belief will take you a long way. It’s actually crazy, man. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Hunter expressed his gratitude to his fiancée, Lenee, and his mother, who he credited with unwavering support during challenging times. “First, I want to thank my fiancée and my mother. They’ve been with me since the first time I had surgery my first year of college. They never took a step away from me,” he said.

“All the hard hours. All the hard days. All the times I didn’t want to wake up and even get on my phone, look at football, y’all stayed with me. I’m very thankful for y’all [sic].”

The young star also spoke about the sacrifices his mother made to ensure his future. “I’m thankful. I’m thankful for my mother. She took me out of Florida. Bad area, I’m always getting in trouble, to now look where I’m at. It’s crazy,” he added, drawing applause from the crowd.

Hunter’s speech grew even more emotional as he addressed his father, Travis Hunter Sr., who could not attend the event. “I want to say something to my father. He’s not here. But I know you’re watching on TV,” he said, his voice breaking. “Dad, I love you. All the stuff you went through, man. Now, look at your oldest son. I did it for you, man.”

His words resonated with the audience as he continued, “All the times that 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.”

Hunter concluded with a promise, saying, “I know you wanted to be here and you can’t, but trust me, I got you. I’m bringing the trophy home. I love you.”

He also took a moment to recognize his grandmother, who introduced him to football. “My grandma, you’re the person that got me to start playing football. That means so much to me,” he shared.

“You seen the vision before I even seen the vision. At 4 years old, you told me to put on some pads, go outside and play with your cousins [sic].” He added humorously, “Y’all see how small I am. Just imagine me at 4 years old trying to put on shoulder pads,” prompting laughter from the audience.

In an unexpected twist, Hunter, 21, also thanked rapper Lil Wayne, who attended the ceremony as his guest. Hunter shared how his fiancée introduced him to Wayne’s music. “My fiancée loves you … I didn’t know none of your songs until she let me know because I don’t listen to music.”

He credited Wayne’s songs for becoming his go-to pregame tracks. “When I get to that [Dodge Ram] TRX and I blast that music, I’m listening to Wayne,” Hunter said before performing an impromptu impression of the rapper’s hit song “6 Foot 7 Foot.”

Hunter’s Heisman Trophy win was not just a personal achievement but also a monumental moment in college football history. The Heisman Trophy is awarded annually to the college football player who epitomizes excellence, perseverance, and hard work — values Hunter has embodied throughout his standout season.

The Heisman Trophy Trust, tasked with preserving the award’s legacy and integrity, recognized Hunter’s exceptional performance on both offense and defense.

The 6-foot-1 junior from Suwanee, Georgia, delivered a season to remember, becoming the University of Colorado’s second-ever Heisman Trophy winner. His victory follows in the footsteps of late running back Rashaan Salaam, who won the award in 1994.

Hunter’s 2024 season was one for the record books. He posted 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, alongside 31 tackles and four interceptions on defense.

His versatility made him the first full-time, two-way player to win the Heisman since the early 1960s. This rare combination of offensive and defensive dominance earned him not just the Heisman but also the Walter Camp, Bednarik, and Biletnikoff Awards.

Statistically, Hunter’s accomplishments were staggering. He recorded a conference-best 15 passes defended, forced a game-winning fumble, and finished with the second-most receiving yards and touchdowns in the Big 12.

Nationally, he ranked second in receiving touchdowns, fifth in receptions per game, and sixth in receiving yards per game. He was a top performer in explosive plays, leading the nation with 21 receptions of 20 yards or more.

Hunter’s historic achievement also placed him in rarefied air among Heisman winners. His 92 receptions and 1,152 receiving yards are second only to Alabama’s 2020 winner DeVonta Smith, while his 14 touchdown receptions trail only Smith and Desmond Howard in Heisman-winning seasons.

Adding to his legacy, Hunter is the first Heisman recipient to have started his career in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) at Jackson State, where he was coached by Sanders.

His success at Colorado under Sanders’ guidance further underscores their enduring coach-player bond. Sanders, who finished eighth in the 1988 Heisman balloting as a Florida State cornerback, has played a pivotal role in Hunter’s development, culminating in this season’s triumph.

The Heisman Trophy ceremony recognized not just Hunter’s incredible statistics but also his significance to the sport. He is the first defensive back to finish in the top five since LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu in 2011 and only the fifth player to win the Heisman as a full-time receiver.

Besides celebrating his new accolade, Hunter has come forward to defend his fiancée, Lenee, emphasizing her unwavering support during his challenging moments. Speaking during a press conference after his historic win, Hunter highlighted the pivotal role Lenee played in his life, especially during a difficult period marked by multiple surgeries.

“My fiancée play her role perfectly. That’s why I would never let anyone that talks smack about her get away with it because she play her role so perfectly [sic],” Hunter said.

Reflecting on her contributions during his recovery, he added, “Nobody know what I went through, them hard three months. Have not been able to play the game that I love. Getting three surgeries back to back…so her being there, having those meals ready for me and being able to help me gain weight. Just staying there, making sure I get wherever I need to on time, making sure I do everything I need to [sic].”

Hunter and Lenee have been together for a long time, as shared by Hunter himself. The couple got engaged in February 2024, marking the occasion with individual social media posts that highlighted their happiness.

Lenee announced the engagement on Instagram with the caption, “a million times, yes [sic],” while Hunter shared a heartfelt post featuring a photo of the two on a beach. In the image, Hunter is seen lifting Lenee in his arms, both of them beaming with joy as they celebrate a new chapter in their relationship.

In a December 10, 2024 episode of “The Pivot Podcast,” Hunter addressed public reactions to their relationship, referencing a viral moment where the couple appeared to have a disagreement during a game.

Hunter explained, “There’s a lot of stuff that could be happening in the stands, people don’t understand that. She might look irritated towards me, but at the same time, there’s a lot of stuff she deal with during the game. There’s a lot of stuff people don’t see off the camera [sic].”

Despite the speculation, Hunter maintained that their relationship remains solid. “I just let people talk,” he said. “They talk about her, I post her to make them even more mad than they already are … ain;t nothing you can find cause I love my woman. She’s my closest to everything, she helped me with everything. It’s kind of hard sometimes but she’s always there.”

The online criticism of Hunter’s fiancée may have sparked debate, but his public declarations of love and gratitude underline her importance in his life and career.

As Hunter continues to make history on the field, he remains steadfast in defending the person he credits as his closest support system, proving that their bond transcends public perception.