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Colorado Buffaloes start Travis Hunter was named the winner of the 90th Heisman Trophy on Saturday night over Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and a slew of others. And while the talk centered around Hunter, teammate Shedeur Sanders, coach Deion Sanders and Hunter’s fiancee Leanna Lenee, there was one more story that flew under the radar.
Hunter took a significant period of time during the speech to thank his father.
“I want to say something to my father. He’s not here. But I know you’re watching on TV,” he said, wiping tears from his eyes. “Dad, I love you. All the stuff you went through, man. Now, look at your oldest son. I did it for you, man.”
“All the times that you ain’t get to see me, and the times that you came to see my games. From probably two games in high school to seeing me on TV every weekend and coming to see me, man, that means so much to me.
“I know you wanted to be here and you can’t, but trust me, I got you. I’m bringing the trophy home. I love you.”
But what fans didn’t see was that Hunter’s father, Travis Hunter Sr., was equally emotional while watching at home. One of Hunter’s family friends, Edgar Martin, captured the moment on Instagram. And it’s sure to bring a tear to your eye.
Hunter’s father opted not to attend the ceremony.
“I want to be there when he gets married and when he gets drafted. I’m going to watch this from home,” he told the Palm Beach Post.
Instead, Hunter’s mother Shirley attended the event.
“He could have went,” Shirley Hunter said after the the event. “He just wanted me to go in his place because I hadn’t been (to New York) and he wanted me to go instead of himself.”
It seems like Hunter has a remarkable support system behind him, and it was touching to see what a big moment the Heisman Trophy ceremony was for all involved.