Travis Hunter of the Colorado Buffaloes won the Heisman Trophy on Saturday. Hunter plays wide receiver and cornerback and was one of four finalists for the trophy.
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“It’s definitely special, you know, it means a lot to me and my family,” Hunter said at a news conference a few hours before the award ceremony.
After accepting the award, Hunter thanked his mother and grandmother for encouraging him to play football.
“I’m thankful for my mom, she got me out of a bad spot, I was always getting into trouble. Now look where I am, it’s crazy,” Hunter said.
He also thanked his coach Deion Sanders: “I want to thank Coach Prime Shedeur you changed my life forever. Just one phone call Shedeur and look where I’m at! It’s crazy bro . Crazy!”
Last month, Hunter set the CU single-season record for most TDs by a Buffaloes receiver when he recorded his 14th. And last week he was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
ESPN
The other finalists were Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and Miami’s Cam Ward also attended the press conference before the ceremony.
Earlier in the day, Hunter offered some advice to up-and-coming players: “Don’t let anybody tell you what you can’t do. Stay grounded, stay focused and go for it.”
“Sko Buffs baby!” Hunter said before finishing his acceptance speech.
The last Colorado player to be a finalist for the award was Rashaan Salaam in 1994. Salaam won the trophy.