The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft had a deeply moving moment, as soon as it began, when the second overall pick was made and it involved Heisman Trophy winner and Colorado two-way player Travis Hunter. To select him, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded with the Cleveland Browns.
However, beyond the excitement of the cornerback when he heard his name and went on stage to receive his jersey with the number 1 as the first pick of the Jaguars, from the hands of commissioner Roger Godell.
The big story began behind the scenes, as among the family members who accompanied Hunter to Green Bay was his father, Travis Hunter Sr, who was granted special permission to travel as he is under house arrest. The proud father looked emotional as he watched his son achieve his dream.
Travis Hunter not only won the Heisman Trophy, he also took home the Biletnikoff (best receiver) and Bednarik (best defensive) awards, after his great season in the NCAA with Colorado and became the first player in history to win both titles.
Why is Travis Hunter Sr. in prison?
In the case of the new Jaguars star, he faces a one-year house arrest sentence and three years probation after being charged with drug and weapons possession late last year.
On Tuesday, Hunter Sr. confirmed that he would travel to Green Bay to accompany his son at the most important moment of his life, after he received special permission from a Florida court, so he was able to travel on Wednesday, according to court documents obtained by the Palm Beach Post. He could only be at the Draft headquarters and the rest of the time he should remain confined to his hotel room.
His leave ended on Friday and he returned to Boynton Beach, Florida, where his son grew up. where Travis Jr., 21, grew up, on Friday, after the first day of the draft, and will be confined to the hotel facilities and Lambeau Field, the site of the draft.
This way, Hunter Sr. was able to mitigate the pain he caused his son after he was unable to be present during the Heisman Trophy presentation in December. He reportedly left the West Palm Beach County Detention Center in Belle Glade nine days before the ceremony, but decided to stay home so that his mother, Shirley Hunter, Travis Jr.’s grandmother, could attend the ceremony.
“He just wanted me to go in his place because he hadn’t been [to New York] and wanted me to go in his place,” he told the outlet after the Heisman ceremony.
During his Heisman acceptance speech, Travis Jr. thanked his father and spoke of his absence: “I want to say something to my father. He’s not here to come, but I know they’re watching on television,” he said.
He added: “Dad, I love you. Everything you went through, man, look at your oldest son. I did it for you, man. All the times you couldn’t see me. When you came to see my games, from probably not seeing two games in high school to seeing me on TV every weekend and coming to see me, man. That means a lot to me. I know you wanted to be here and you can’t, but believe me, I got you covered. I’m going to bring the trophy home. I love you.”
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