Colorado football star Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy on December 14, but the days that followed were marred by controversy surrounding his relationship with his fiancée Leanna Lenee. Some fans criticized Lenee’s behavior in videos that circulated online, which showed her remaining seated while Hunter was being congratulated at the Heisman ceremony and at a subsequent event in New York City.
Hunter’s teammate, Shedeur Sanders, has since weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that critics should stop weighing in on the couple’s personal life. Sanders, a quarterback for the University of Colorado Buffaloes, took to social media to address the issue, saying that fans who are genuinely trying to reach out to Hunter know how to get in touch with him or someone around him, and that others are simply posting for the algorithm to look cool.
Hunter has also addressed the situation, saying that his fiancée cried herself to sleep and consumed alcohol due to the backlash. He defended Lenee, saying that he knows what he has in her and that fans are just now starting to talk about him and his relationship.
Lenee has also responded to the criticism, saying that people are misinterpreting her behavior and that she is not just going to sit there and pretend to be happy when she is not. The controversy has led to Hunter deactivating his Instagram account, although he has not publicly revealed any details on his decision.
Despite the controversy, Hunter is still expected to play in the Alamo Bowl game against BYU, and is projected to be one of the first players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.