Travis Hunter Breaks Silence on Shohei Ohtani Backlash as Urban Meyer Confirms NFL Fate

Well, the Colorado Buffaloes dual-threat Travis Hunter is known for his signature ear-to-ear grin. Sadly, over the past few days, there were some reasons for that ever-smiling face to fade away. That’s because of Hunter’s slip while commenting about the MLB star Shohei Ohtani. And of course, the fans did not let the two-way star move around freely after making that remark.

Instead, they dragged him through mud and some heavy backlash followed. However, Hunter finally got the chance to clarify himself and what he actually tried to intend. Meanwhile, the two-way phenom’s path to the NFL is getting clearer ahead of the Drafts. All thanks to Urban Meyer. 

Travis Hunter’s side of the story

Now Shohei Ohtani is definitely not a man who can be taken easily. After all, at the tender age of 17, he had picked enough hype to get pursued by 30 MLB teams. The star then joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, signing the largest contract in sports history for 10 years and worth $700 million. Besides being a role model for Hunter, the Buffs two-way star should have had no business with the MLB star. But fate had different plans. Hunter got hit up with the question, “What’s more difficult? What do you do in football, or what Ohtani does in baseball?” And his answer turned Hunter into a hate magnet. He replied, “Probably me. What I do in football because it’s a lot on your body, you know. Ohtani, he’s a great player. But you gotta do a lot in football.” Now it’s time for Hunter to break his silence.

On March 12, on The Travis Hunter Show, the two-way star stood in his own defense trying to clear out how he had been misquoted. According to him, in no way he tried to demean what Ohtani does. He started with, “First I’m talking about the physical aspect. I’m not saying anybody can just go out there and play both sides of the ball or anybody can go out there and just do what Ohtani does… I’m not saying [that] what I’m doing is way harder than what he does.” It’s definitely not a comparison that’s cooking here. Hunter then suggests that people should put themselves in his shoes not just once, but continue doing it daily. Why though? Travis has the answer…

“You got to running nonstop… and try to do the same thing… trying to do that for 12 weeks. I did it for 13, right? So try to do it for 12, try to do it for eight. It’s not going to be easy,” said Hunter. Yes, he is in no mood to compete against the three-time MVP who has 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in one season. Clarifying his intentions to the trolls is his main motive. That’s because, at the end of the day, he claims to never take these hateful comments to his heart. “People don’t understand that they just be trying to find stuff to bring the character down but they can’t never bring me down, man.” After all, it’s not the right time for Hunter to soak in the bad vibes.

Urban Meyer’s bold stance for Travis Hunter 

Yes, Travis Hunter’s two-way CB-WR skills did sprinkle some dust of confusion on his NFL fate. Most of his NFL suitors were left confused about which position to pursue him for. But on March 11, analyst Colin Cowherd hosted Meyer in his podcast. And that’s when the most intriguing question came up “Does Travis Hunter play both sides of the football in the NFL?” Turns out that the Buffs’ dual threat had totally wooed Meyer.

“That it’d be hard for me to not take Travis Hunter with that first pick. I just—I love that guy. I think he’s a once-in-a-generation, once-in-a-lifetime player. He can do things that I’ve not seen people do. His stamina, the quality of kid.” Meyer has recognized Hunter’s talents well. But the question is, like others, is Meyer too in favor of cutting down Hunter’s feathers and restricting him to one position? After all, as Cowherd gave a glimpse of the current scenario, “Coaches probably want him to play receiver because you can get the ball to him 12 times.”

Meyer assured, “I would never say this—other than that guy—I’d play him both ways.” Now playing two ways, that too in the pro league is no joke, right folks? Well, with an energy tank that never hits empty, Travis Hunter plays like he’s got unlimited fuel. Now come on, we all know about his most ridiculous stat of all. He racked up over 1,400 snaps on offense and defense combined. This is what might be a nod to the real battle in the Ohtani controversy—the relentless physical toll.