By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-23 06:31:25 | Updated at 2024-12-23 10:36:51
4 hours ago
Travis Hunter appeared to delete his Instagram on Sunday night as his relationship with fiancee Leanna Lenee received intensifying scrutiny on social media.
The Colorado Buffaloes star, who won the Heisman Trophy last week, has found his romance with Lenee under the microscope due to a few viral moments over the last few weeks as fans back him to move from college football to the NFL.
In the aftermath of his team's 52-0 win over Oklahoma State Cowboys in late November, he and Lenee appeared to argue as he made his way back towards the field. She even appeared to turn her face away when he went to kiss her.
Then, when the 21-year-old won the Heisman Trophy last week, Lenee was criticized for her subdued response as he celebrated.
In a separate incident, the 23-year-old Lenee also appeared unhappy with Hunter for posing for photographs with female fans.
Before his account disappeared on Sunday, fans were even speculating if Lenee had been faithful to Hunter during their relationship.
Travis Hunter appeared to delete his Instagram account on Sunday evening
It comes amid intense rumors and speculation over his relationship with fiancee Leanna Lenee
Hunter's Colorado teammate hit out at people targeting Hunter in an X post Sunday night
After his Instagram page disappeared, his Colorado teammate Shedeur Sanders spoke out for him on X, writing: '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.'
Hunter has defended Lenee throughout the social media storm. After they appeared to clash at the Buffaloes game, he shared a video of them together on his Instagram story where he kissed her and smiled.
Video also emerged last week of Hunter dismissing the outrage, saying: 'They want me to be unhappy. They don't want me to be in a relationship. The comments and the people, you know, the hating, the hate that I'm getting. It's draining. It's draining for sure.
'Every time I get on my phone, there's something new that they are lying about. We are just a topic right now. It's draining.'
Both Hunter and Sanders are widely tipped to go early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Hunter is a particularly intriguing prospect as he has played both sides of the ball for Colorado - both as a wide receiver and a cornerback.
Former NFL-star-turned-broadcaster Nate Burleson weighed in on the controversy surrounding Lenee and the college football star, who announced that they were engaged back in February.
The couple went viral for appearing to feud at Hunter's last Colorado game of the season
Hunter is expected to declare for the NFL in 2025 Draft - he is a hugely exciting talent
'It's everybody else's business because that couple put it out there,' Burleson told TMZ.
'You 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.'
Burleson sympathizes with the Buffalo star, having dated his now-wife Aloya while playing at the University of Nevada. Back then, he suggested, many assumed she was with him because of his NFL prospects.
'She was the trophy way before I started chasing them in the NFL. That could be the case in Travis' relationship. I don't know,' Burleson said.
'All I know is give them both grace. They're young! They'll figure it out.'
