NFL Star Travis Hunter and Wife Leanna Lenee Welcome Baby Boy in Private Celebration
Colorado Buffaloes star and recent NFL draft pick Travis Hunter and his wife Leanna Lenee have surprised fans by announcing the arrival of their baby boy. The couple, who have maintained a relatively private personal life despite Hunter’s rising fame, shared the news through a touching YouTube video on August 27. The heartfelt announcement captures their journey to parenthood, from the initial joy of seeing a positive pregnancy test to the emotional moment of their son’s birth. At just 22 years old, Hunter—who was selected second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft—embraces this new chapter of fatherhood alongside his 23-year-old wife, showing a tender side to the dual-threat athlete known for his exceptional skills on both offense and defense.
The video documents intimate moments throughout Leanna’s pregnancy, offering fans a rare glimpse into the couple’s private life. It captures their excitement at ultrasound appointments, Leanna’s growing baby bump, and the couple preparing for delivery at the hospital. In one poignant moment, when Leanna asks Travis if he has a message for their unborn child, he simply responds, “Gotta be better than me”—a humble statement from the young man who has already achieved remarkable success in his football career. The video reaches its emotional peak as it transitions to audio of Leanna giving birth and Travis seeing his son for the first time, remarking that the baby looks just like him before telling his wife, “You did good, baby.” The couple signed off with a simple but powerful message: “Dear Son, We love you. Love, Mom and Dad.”
Their journey to this point has been filled with both celebration and challenges. The couple married in Tennessee in May 2025, just one month after Hunter was drafted by the Jaguars. Leanna commemorated their relationship milestone on Instagram, writing, “On 02/26/2022 you first asked me to be your girlfriend. Now 3.5 years later, on 05/24/2025, I became your wife. You make me the happiest woman on this planet and I am so excited to spend forever with you.” Their relationship has been a constant through Hunter’s meteoric rise in college football at Colorado, where he made history as a two-way player excelling as both a wide receiver and cornerback under coach Deion Sanders, leading to his high NFL draft selection and now, to starting a family together at a young age.
Behind the highlight reels and celebrations, the couple has weathered public scrutiny and criticism. In July, Leanna shared a revealing TikTok video of herself crying on the bathroom floor from December, reflecting on her personal growth since that difficult time. She wrote about her transformation through faith: “The amount you can grow and develop in just 6 months of devoting your life to Jesus and getting away from the shackles of the world and social media is truly astounding.” This personal revelation came after a challenging period when Leanna faced intense public criticism during Hunter’s Heisman Trophy weekend in December 2024, when he was recognized as college football’s best player. Social media users criticized her for not standing during his award acceptance, and videos circulated suggesting relationship tension during an Adidas event.
The criticism became so severe that Leanna temporarily deactivated her social media accounts in December 2024. Before stepping away from the platforms, she defended herself against the narratives being constructed about her relationship: “The things that I see people make up is truly crazy, because it’s not what happened. I just think people are finding every single little thing and trying to make it something it’s not. Bird brain individuals are just accepting what they see online.” The experience highlights the intense scrutiny faced by partners of high-profile athletes, particularly in the age of social media where brief moments can be amplified and misinterpreted by thousands of strangers.
Now, with the arrival of their son, Travis and Leanna begin a new chapter focused on family rather than public perception. Their decision to share their baby news through a carefully crafted video rather than immediate social media posts reflects a thoughtful approach to balancing their public and private lives. As Hunter prepares for his rookie NFL season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he does so not just as one of the most anticipated new players in the league, but now as a father with added perspective and motivation. For this young couple who met when they were teenagers and have grown up in the spotlight, the birth of their son represents both a personal milestone and a shift in priorities as they navigate fame, football, and now, family life together. Their journey from college sweethearts to young parents offers a humanizing glimpse at the people behind the headlines as they embrace what is perhaps their most important role yet.
