Do you know the feeling a dad or a mom has when the kid goes to the playschool, leaving the comfort of the home for the first time? That’s probably how Deion Sanders feels now—pure heart-to-heart vibes. And for anyone thinking the Colorado Buffaloes HC only cares about his sons Shedeur and Shilo, think again, folks—it’s all love for the whole squad! Coach Prime is equally protective about his dual-threat Travis Hunter. Now that Hunter too would be paying farewell to college football soon, it pains Deion’s heart to leave him alone in the vast NFL. That’s when the Buffs HC fears his two-way star’s growth being stunted. But not to worry, since he assured that Colorado’s gates will always be open for Hunter. This must have made you go “Awww,” right? The Buffs’ dual threat too went head over heels. Meanwhile, Deion is still “mad” about Hunter’s name getting struck off an awardees list. 

After all, the Boulder hood has been no less than a home for Travis Hunter. However, how the NFL acts is not something that Coach Prime can control. So, even before his two-way phenom has stepped into the NFL, the Buffs HC is already concerned about Hunter’s two-way dreams not being accommodated in the big leagues. For instance, legends like Super Bowl-winning cornerback Richard Sherman have already given a side-eye on the difficulties of Hunter exercising his dual power. That’s when Deion had to take the reins in his hands for Hunter, which made the player’s heart melt. 

The dual-threat posted an IG story re-sharing a clip from the Buffs HC’s recent interview, and he wrote, “I love you man thank you @deionsanders.” And what did Coach Prime exactly say in the interview? Well, if Plan A does not work for the player, the Buffs HC has already handed Hunter a Plan B. And what’s better when Plan B is close to his heart? 

So compromising is not even an option for the two-way phenom in case the NFL program is not willing to accommodate Hunter’s aspirations of making use of his dual skills. Now what will be the backup plan for Hunter if his NFL adventure turns out to be a big flop? Deion hinted at the athlete making a comeback to Colorado for his senior season: “You never know how the NFL acts. If that certain team don’t allow him to do what he does…you never know what he may do.” Woah, that’s some lowkey threat. But what made Deion unleash this rebellious side for Hunter? 

Deion Sanders’ fiery words defending Travis Hunter

While the Heisman race finale is about to take place, for now, all eyes are on The Thorpe Award that goes annually to the nation’s top defensive back. That’s where things started to go awry for Colorado’s dual threat. The final awardees list dropped on Tuesday, and surprisingly, Hunter’s name was not there. This was enough to leave Deion upset, who himself won the award at Florida State back in 1988.

During the weekly press conference, Coach Prime went all angry as he charged, “How is Travis Hunter snubbed by the Thorpe Award?…Then when you look at the statistics, it really made me mad. That really made me mad. That really made me mad.” But who cares? Not at least Hunter since he is already up for the Maxwell Award (Player of the Year), Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year), and Biletnikoff Award (outstanding receiver) at the same show. However, Deion is not going to take any risk.

Coach Prime ensured that his favorite Travis Hunter would not have any doubts lingering in his heart about himself. That’s when Deion Sanders, being Deion Sanders, yet again proved himself as the owner of a big heart. He offered, “You can have my award. You can have it back. Matter of fact, I’m going to give him mine. I ain’t using it. It’s just sitting up there collecting dust. So Travis can have my Thorpe Award.” Maybe it’s high time that Travis Hunter stops raiding Deion’s sneaker collection when the man is ready to give him his awards. What say?