Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter
“You Can’t Touch Me”: NFL Staffer Refuses to Hand Travis Hunter’s First INT Ball to Josh Hines-Allen 1
Travis Hunter’s return to Colorado ended in a 20-13 Jaguars loss in Week 2. The cornerback found a better moment on Sunday, pulling down his first career interception in a 35-6 rout of the Patriots at EverBank Stadium. The celebration was loud, but the strangest scene came moments later on the sideline, where a teammate’s simple request turned into a tense standoff that spread across social media.
Travis Hunter INT ball sparks sideline standoff with Josh Hines-Allen
Hunter made his play in the second quarter. With just over a minute left in the first half, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye fired toward the end zone. Hunter jumped, pulled the pass down and erased a scoring chance. Jacksonville took a 14-3 lead into the break.
Hunter then ran to the corner of the end zone, spun the football on the turf and danced with his teammates. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen wanted to grab the ball as a keepsake for the young cornerback. An NFL sideline staffer had already picked it up and refused to let go.
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Oct 12, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after a play during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images
Spectrum News 13 reporter Brandon Green filmed the exchange. The staffer held the ball in one arm and used the other to block Hines-Allen.
Hines-Allen asked more than once, and the answer stayed no. The staffer yelled, “You can’t touch me! Hey! He pushed me!”
Very odd incident between #Jaguars DE Josh Hines-Allen and an NFL staffer today.
Allen wanted the ball back because it was Travis Hunter’s first career INT, but the staffer wasn’t having it.
“You can’t touch me! Hey! He pushed me!”
(📽️ @BGreenReports)pic.twitter.com/aZVwjM1oIa
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 28, 2026
The reason for the staffer’s stance remains unclear. Staffers are not required to give a ball to a player, though it is common practice. He may not have known the pick marked a milestone. Hines-Allen did not comment after the game.
Hunter’s playing time was already a hot topic before this play, and the numbers show why.
Hunter’s role stays under the microscope
Jacksonville Jaguars‘ plan is clear on paper. According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, the Jaguars want Hunter as a full-time cornerback and part-time receiver, a change from his rookie year, when a knee injury ended his season. He played 29 defensive snaps and four offensive snaps in the Week 1 win over Cleveland.
The Week 2 loss stirred more debate. Hunter played 37 of 62 defensive snaps and only six offensive snaps. Analyst Emmanuel Acho criticized that usage on September 22. Acho posted bluntly, “Utter negligence.”
Sunday’s interception offered a strong answer on the defensive side. It showed the ball skills that made him the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft, and it came against the reigning AFC champions. Jacksonville allowed only six points, its fewest of the season.
The Jaguars improve to 2-1 and visit the Bengals on Sunday, October 4. The Patriots fall to 1-2 and head to Buffalo to face the Bills. Hunter will chase another big play as the ball’s fate stays unknown.
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