When tears overflow in your moments of happiness, you know that the struggle has been all worth it! That’s what happened with Travis Hunter as well. The Colorado Buffaloes dual-threat just had one of the best evenings of his life on Saturday, December 14. Finally, his Heisman dream came true. But somehow amidst the happy moments, Hunter could feel a void.

The emptiness was due to the absence of his father in the ceremony. The otherwise chirpy Hunter even broke down on the stage, missing his dad. And guess what? Miles away, his father, Travis Hunter Sr., too, couldn’t control himself and cried with his son.

Travis Hunter’s father got teary-eyed from miles away

The Buffs dual-threat is always spotted in a jolly mood, playing pranks and enjoying his life to the fullest. For those who were surprised to see Hunter breaking down, he had already stated what he might do days before the Heisman finale. He stated, “I know imma break down and cry after, you know, everybody goes away because I’m trying to act tough in front of everybody.” That’s what exactly happened on Saturday evening.

Within moments after grabbing the trophy, Hunter could no longer hold back his tears. His heart ached to look at the empty seat that otherwise would have had his dad cheering for him. “Dad, I love you. All the stuff you went through, man…. look at your oldest son. I did it for you, man,” Hunter said with a trembling voice. If that was too much to handle, here comes another heartbreaking video. 

Hunter Sr. was captured in front of a TV screen watching his son take the stage to receive the Heisman. As the Buffs’ dual threat wiped away his tears, his dad couldn’t hold back his own. Being away from his son during this emotional moment was tough for him. Even though his mates tried to cheer him up, Hunter’s dad was soaking in his proud moment. Only tears ran down his cheeks as he got too emotional to speak even a single word. But what made the father-son duo stay apart on the special day?     

What kept Travis Hunter Sr. far apart from his son

Things have been pretty tough for Hunter. On one hand, the Buffs’ dual threat had to carry the burden of flipping the 2023 narrative of Deion Sanders’ program. On the other hand, he had to deal with some family issues, staying away from his father. Hunter Sr., a former football player himself, was sentenced to 90 days of imprisonment back in September 2023. He was kept at the Palm Beach County West Detention Center in Belle Glade.

However, they have overcome the rough patch. But still, Hunter Sr. was there in spirit, watching his son’s big day unfold on television. He was at his home in Boynton Beach, Florida. Days before the Heisman finale, he confirmed not traveling to New York. “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,” Hunter Sr. told The Palm Beach Post. 

In that case, the proud dad should have already booked the plane tickets, as he will be able to do both in the coming months. Travis Hunter will be one of the first names called out in the 2025 NFL Draft. The dates when the Buffs dual-threat will share the ‘I do’ vows with fiancée Leanna Lenee are also here. It’s May 2025. Can’t wait for the father-son reunion!