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Travis Hunter, one of the most high-profile young athletes in football, is reportedly tying the knot with his longtime girlfriend Leanna Lenee this weekend.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and comes just months after the couple faced intense public scrutiny.
Hunter, a recent NFL draftee now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, has had both his on-field performances and personal life under the spotlight.
His relationship with Lenee has been the subject of widespread commentary, much of it critical, particularly since the pair got engaged in February 2024. Yet despite the noise, the couple is ready to take their next step together.
According to reports, Hunter and Lenee began dating in early 2022, when Hunter was still a senior in high school and Lenee was a student at Kennesaw State University.
Lenee graduated in December of that year and has since been a visible er throughout Hunter's football journey, including his time at Colorado under Deion Sanders.
Public controversies fail to derail wedding plans
The relationship has not been without controversy. One widely discussed moment occurred during the 2023 Heisman Trophy ceremony, when some fans perceived that Lenee hesitated to show for Hunter as he walked toward the stage.
Deion Sanders, Hunter's coach at the time, was seen nudging her to stand, which sparked debate online about her behavior.
Shortly afterward, a video resurfaced of Lenee appearing in a music clip with rapper Knotti $lim, reportedly filmed three years prior. The video showed Lenee in an intimate scene, which fueled further criticism.
Around the same time, footage from a fan meet-and-greet appeared to show Lenee looking frustrated with how long Hunter spent interacting with fans. The couple briefly deactivated their social media s in response to the negativity.
Despite this, Hunter has remained committed to Lenee. On the Smoke Something Drink Something podcast, NFL analyst Jeff Barnes weighed in on the wedding, explaining why Hunter may have decided to proceed with marriage in spite of the backlash.
"As long as she provides Travis Hunter what he wants, which is stability, okay," Barnes said. "I'll be honest with you, once he got that stability with her, he feels that he plays his maximum football. His best possible game, because she is by his side."
"At the end of the day, don't matter what she do on the other side as long as it didn't stop her from giving Travis what he wanted from her," Barnes added. "Travis wanted her because he had a bigger picture, bigger prize and he likes what she gives him."
Their relationship has endured several storms, but those close to the couple say it's built on shared values and mutual .
While Lenee has been a target of online criticism, those around Hunter point to her role in providing stability as he navigates the pressures of professional sports.
As the couple prepares to exchange vows, it's clear that Hunter sees a future with Lenee that goes beyond public opinion.
Their journey-from high school and college, through criticism and controversy, to a wedding in Chattanooga-highlights a bond they believe can outlast the scrutiny.