Deion Sanders Awards Travis Hunter Personal Thorpe Trophy after Overlooked Nomination

Deion Sanders, former NFL star and current Colorado coach, plans to gift his own Jim Thorpe Award to Travis Hunter after the talented player’s surprising snub.

At a Glance

  • Travis Hunter was not named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, shocking many in college football
  • Deion Sanders criticized the selection process, calling it “the most idiotic thing in college football”
  • Sanders plans to give Hunter his personal Jim Thorpe Award as a gesture of recognition
  • Hunter is still in contention for several other prestigious awards, including the Heisman Trophy
  • The snub has raised questions about the award’s selection criteria and integrity

Sanders Expresses Shock and Frustration

The college football world was left stunned when Travis Hunter, Colorado’s standout two-way player, was not named as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. The award, which recognizes the best defensive back in college football, has come under scrutiny following Hunter’s exclusion. Deion Sanders, Hunter’s coach and a former Jim Thorpe Award winner himself, did not mince words when expressing his disbelief at the decision.

“How in the world can you be up for the player of the year, defensive player of the year, but [not the Thorpe]? How does that make sense?” Sanders asked.

Mr. Sanders’ frustration stems from Hunter’s impressive performance throughout the season, which has put him in contention for several other prestigious awards, including the Chuck Bednarik Award, Biletnikoff Award, Maxwell Award, and the Heisman Trophy.

Hunter’s Remarkable Season

Travis Hunter has been a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball for Colorado. As a cornerback, he has recorded three interceptions and nine pass breakups, including a game-winning play against Baylor. His defensive prowess is further emphasized by the fact that opposing teams often avoid throwing to his side of the field, a testament to his shutdown capabilities.

“Then when you look at the statistics, it really made me mad. That really made me mad. That really made me mad. But statistics shouldn’t matter because it’s the threat, like the threat. The threat, like I ain’t gonna throw it over here ’cause I know,” Sanders explained.

On the offensive side, Hunter has been equally impressive, racking up 82 catches for 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns, plus one rushing touchdown. His versatility and impact on both sides of the ball have made him a favorite for the Heisman Trophy, with BetMGM giving him a 90.9% chance of winning the prestigious award.

Sanders’ Bold Response

In response to Hunter’s snub, Sanders has taken matters into his own hands. The Colorado coach announced his intention to give Hunter his personal Jim Thorpe Award.

“He rarely gets thrown at. They just messed up all the integrity of the award and he can have mine. Whoever’s voting down there, whoever’s bringing it home, thank you. Because I don’t even want mine now. God bless you,” Sanders stated.

This bold move by Sanders has ignited discussions about the selection process for college football awards and the criteria used to evaluate players. The coach’s decision to transfer his personal accolade to Hunter serves as both a protest against the perceived injustice and a public acknowledgment of Hunter’s outstanding performance this season.

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