Shedeur Sanders chides Travis Hunter's critics amid Leanna Lenee drama

Shedeur Sanders delivered a pointed message to critics chiming in on teammate Travis Hunter’s personal life.

In a post shared Sunday evening on X, the Colorado quarterback, 22, defended the Buffaloes’ two-way star, whose relationship with fiancée Leanna Lenee has been the subject of ridicule following his Heisman Trophy win earlier this month.

“All y’all athletes, entertainers, artist etc if y’all genuine trying to holla at trav y’all know how to get in touch with him or someone around. At this point y’all just posting for the algorithm trying to look cool,” Sanders wrote in a message that has been viewed 6.1 million times as of Tuesday.

6 Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders addressed critics opining on teammate Travis Hunter’s relationship. Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

6 Travis Hunter’s relationship with fiancée has been the subject of ridicule for weeks. Travis Hunter/Instagram

Hunter and Lenee have been on the defensive following the wide receiver-cornerback’s Heisman Trophy win on Dec. 14.

The 21-year-old Hunter backed Lenee in a Twitch live stream after some took exception to her demeanor in a recently surfaced online video that appeared to be taken at a fan event.

Lenee, whose engagement to Hunter was revealed earlier this year, also addressed critics in a lengthy TikTok video posted last week.

6 The criticism began in the wake of Travis Hunter’s Heisman Trophy win in December 2024. AP

Amid the controversy, sports media personalities have spoken out about the couple, noting that when one’s relationship is public, the door is open to outside commentary.

“It’s everybody else’s business because that couple put it out there,” former NFL receiver-turned-CBS analyst Nate Burleson told TMZ in recent comments.

“Can’t complain when people respond. That’s social media. You can’t say mind your own business or keep your opinion to yourself when you have shared with everybody.”

6 The two-way Colorado star is projected to be a top selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. AP

Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe offered similar remarks last week, expressing, “You don’t have to share everything!”

The saga has since taken another turn following Sanders’ message as Hunter — a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — fueled headlines Monday after deactivating his Instagram account.

The move occurred as an older video that seemed to feature Lenee surfaced on social media, in which she appeared to dance on another man.

6 Travis Hunter and Leanna Lenee’s engagement was revealed earlier this year. Travis Hunter/Instagram

6 Colorado coach Deion Sanders (l.) has supported Travis Hunter. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

TMZ reported Monday the video is suspected to have been “taken from several years ago — before [Lenee] and Hunter got together.”

Hunter and Sanders, another possible No. 1 overall in next spring’s draft, will play in Saturday’s Alamo Bowl game against BYU.

Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders said Monday he believes “the highest number of coverage that has ever been covered in college football” has been obtained to protect the stars in the event of injury, per USA Today.

On Hunter’s mindset, Deion added, via Sports Illustrated: “He’s projected to be the first or second pick, no later than the third. I don’t know where all the bulljunk comes in at. I think it’s all a blessing, the things you may count as stressing is still a blessing.

“I think he’s heading in the right direction. He loves the game of football. I’m always focused on the positives, not the negatives. It’s so easy to see the negative when the positive is right there in front of you.”

The Alamo Bowl gets underway at 7:20 p.m. on Dec. 28.

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