It's been an incredible one-month stretch for Travis Hunter. After the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him second overall, he returned to college for his graduation. Then, rookie minicamp came, and the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner got the spotlight because of his electric play. In between those events, he took a flight, and a fellow passenger narrated just how great of a person he is.
Sandy Hawkins Combs to social media to thank United Airlines for giving her a seat next to Hunter, noting how enjoyable her flight was because of him.
"I had the most wonderful flight home from Denver. I met the nicest young man who sat next to me. He offered to put my bag in the overhead compartment and helped me with my ray," Hawkins Combs said on Facebook. "He was always polite, saying "yes ma'am" or "no ma'am." Anyone would be proud to have him as a son or grandson—so polite."
Hawkins Combs continued, "People walking by were saying congratulations, great job, or even taking pictures. I turned and asked him, "Who am I sitting next to?" I looked at his Jaguars pants, smiled, and asked, "Are you an athlete?" He smiled and said, "I'm Travis. Yes, I was drafted by the Jags." I already told my sons I want his jersey."
"He's so humble and down-to-earth—I would have never guessed he was a professional athlete. JACKSONVILLE JAGS, you did good! I will be buying tickets.
United Airlines, thank you for my seat assignment!" Hawkins Combs concluded.
Because this interaction happen on a flight that left Denver, it's fair to assume that it happened after Hunter's graduation at Colorado, where Hunter wore the pajamas with Jaguars logos under his gown.
This is a heartwarming post all around, and shows just how humble Hunter truly is. When Hawkins Combs asked him who he was, some athletes might've said something to the effect of, "Don't you know who am I?" Not him.
It's also worth noting that his deed would've gone unnoticed if Hawkins Combs hadn't posted about it. And that's the thing, he doesn't do this kind of thing because he wants the attention. That's just him helping people and being kind. As she noted, the Jaguars have a keeper.
The airplaine interaction proves the Jaguars were right to draft Travis Hunter
The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Travis Hunter because of his game-changing skills. However, his kindness and humility surely played a role in the vetting process. Following the trade to move up to No. 2 to select the West Palm Beach native, general manager James Gladstone said that the team couldn't pass up the chance to acquire an athlete who could not only alter the course of the city or the franchise, but of the sport as well.
It's been less than a month since the draft, and Hunter is already making that impact Gladstone talked about. By the start of the regular season, it may be hard to keep track of his heroics both on and off the field.
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