Deion Sanders slams Travis Hunter for shutting down social media after online comments about fiancée

Colorado Buffaloes head football coach Deion Sanders addresses former player Travis Hunter’s decision turn off social media accounts in response to comments about Hunter’s fiancee, Leana Lenny.

Hunter and Lenny’s Instagram accounts were disabled on Dec. 23, just days after Hunter won the Heisman Trophy. During the ceremony, discussions about the event took place on social networks harsh criticism Hunter and Lenny as a couple. Hunter’s account has been reactivated.

Sanders gave his reaction to Hunter’s situation in an interview on the “Tamron Hall Show.”

“It hurt me that he did that,” Sanders said of Hunter’s deactivation. “The enemy wants you to stop.”

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Sanders criticized Hunter for neglecting the business side of his decision. As a former college student and future professional athlete with a net worth of $5.2 million, according to On3.com, Hunter’s social media account activity is likely directly related to endorsements.

“You have referrals, you have people who have sponsored you to get the word out about their product,” Sanders said. “We have to activate right now.”

Sanders also criticized Hunter for backing down and suggested his response would leave him vulnerable to “attacks.”

“If someone stays put, now you have a chance to attack, and I hate that kind of immobility. Keep moving. Don’t let the enemy grab you while you’re still and throwing yourself a pity party,” Sanders said, adding that he was the one who told Hunter about the situation.

SHEDUR SANDERS, TRAVIS HUNTER HAVE LARGEST DISABILITY INSURANCE IN CFB HISTORY COVERING THEIR BOWL GAME

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter after winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy. (Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via Imagn Images)

Hunter addressed the situation during a Twitch live streamingsaying his fiancee used to cry to sleep and drink because of the backlash.

Leni previously posted a video on her TikTok account to end the negativity on December 16.

“I’m tired, emotionally and mentally. I saw people trying to make me into someone I’m not,” said Leni in an almost eight-minute clip.

She also addressed the negativity regarding her reaction to Hunter’s win Heisman Trophy.

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At least one video surfaced on social media showing Lenny staying in his seat moments after Hunter was named the 2024 Heisman winner. Deion Sanders then appeared to make Lenny stand up. In the end, Leni gave Hunter a brief hug before quickly sitting back down to a standing ovation from the crowd.

Other footage shows Lenny remaining seated while Hunter greets and takes pictures with fans at an event in New York the day after the Heisman ceremony. Some fans tried to analyze Lenny’s behavior during her time at the event and even suggested that she was annoyed.

“When his name was called, I was going to get up right away. If you watch the video, his mom didn’t get up, so I said, ‘Oh, maybe I’m not getting up, I’m just sitting here,'” she said. “As soon as I saw Travis get up, I thought, I have to get up. , greet him, congratulate him.

“But then there was a camera right in front of Coach Prime, and I knew they were going to film that moment, and because of the way people are on the net, I said, ‘I don’t want to be in that frame.’ So I sat down.

Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter (12) of the Colorado Buffaloes on the sideline during the game against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field on August 29, 2024. in Boulder, Colorado. (Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

“I left the cell, purposefully so that they could have their moment. That was all. No one told me to get up. No one should have told me to celebrate with him. I just sat and cried. I wanted to. I was very happy for him, but I wanted the moment to be about him and his family.”

Hunter’s sidekick, defender Shadow Sandersalso touched on the controversy. The “Buffalo” defender suggested that critics stop influencing Hunter’s personal life.

“All of you are athletes, artists, entertainers, etc. d., if you’re honestly trying to yell at Trav, you know how to reach him or someone nearby.” Sanders wrote on X Sunday. “At this point, you’re just writing about an algorithm trying to look cool.”

Hunter and Lenny’s engagement was publicly confirmed earlier this year.

Hunter is projected to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

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