When Travis Hunter‘s family relocated from Florida to Georgia, they faced significant hardships, including periods of housing instability. So, during his time at Collins Hill High School, Hunter moved in with assistant coach Frontia Fountain, who provided structure and support. Fountain, a former Air Force cornerback, implemented a disciplined routine: Hunter was responsible for waking himself up for school and completing his homework before engaging in leisure activities. He also accompanied Fountain to school early, often arriving by 5:20 a.m., and would rest in the coach’s office until classes began. This environment helped Hunter develop the discipline and work ethic that contributed to his success on the field.

So when his mother said, “When you have a child, it takes a village to help with that child – It also takes other people that can reach your child just as well as you can … So they did exactly what I was not qualified to do. We all have different roles, and the roles they played with my son were amazing,” it resonated a lot about how young Travis became the Travis Hunter we know today. 

You see, Travis Hunter comes from a family of athletes. His grandmother was a sprinter. Her boys were football players, and two of her girls ran track. Another girl made her name in gymnastics. Hunter’s father, Travis Hunter Sr., on the other hand, also ran track apart from football. As Hunter’s mom, Ferrante Edmonds, so aptly put in an IG post for her son’s draft day, “God didn’t bring you this far to leave you ordinary. There’s royalty in your bloodline, victory in your steps, and purpose in your breath. Walk like it.” Looking at the Hunters’ record, the word ‘royalty’ is certainly not an understatement. And now, with that same energy, Edmonds has shared another message for the world.

Ferrante Edmonds took to Instagram to share a story. It wasn’t just any story, though; it was a tribute to the “real MVPs”. As the Teacher Appreciation Week officially runs from May 5 – 9 this year, Edmonds took this chance to give a shoutout to all the people who guide young souls but often go unrecognized. Edmonds’ story went, “The real MVPs – Before there was a CEO, a doctor, a baller, or a boss… There was a TEACHER. The ones who saw potential when the world saw problems. Who planted seeds without always seeing the fruit. To every educator: YOU are the MVP. #TeacherAppreciationWeek #LegacyBuilders #ThankATeacher” Such a powerful tribute to the ones who shape our futures from behind the scenes. 

Ferrante Edmonds’ words aren’t just about a shoutout, though. It’s a testament to her sacrifices and guidance that have helped Travis come so far in life. She left a three-bedroom house in Florida to try to give a better life to her family. They moved to Georgia and lived with relatives for some time, and then lived in a hotel while Hunter worked his way through high school. But all the hardships bore fruit as Travis Hunter shot to greatness through his sparkling career. Through the money he got from his deals, he even bought Edmonds a house back in 2024

But Edmonds’ post also reflected on Travis’ ascent from a high school standout to a Heisman Trophy winner and top NFL prospect, which is a testament to the pivotal roles played by key mentors in his life. Be it his mother, grandmother, family, assistant coach Fountain, or even Deion Sanders.

Travis Hunter’s goodbye to Coach Prime

Coach Prime has been a big influence on his sons, Shilo and Shedeur. But if you thought that’s where his contributions ended, you couldn’t be more wrong. Before he became the coach for the Colorado Buffaloes, he was the coach for the Jackson State Tigers. Now, here’s a parallel. Before Travis Hunter brought home the Heisman Trophy in Colorado Buffaloes, he played for the Jackson State Tigers. Throughout his time at both places, Coach Prime has been a significant guide in developing the dual threat the world now knows as Hunter. Being a dual-threat legend himself, it’s really not that hard to see the signs.

Travis Hunter joins the Jaguars to bring his signature cornerback + receiver skills to the forefront of the team. As per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “Jaguars are expected to play their first-round draft pick Travis Hunter on offense and defense – They will on-board him by giving him a heavy dose of the wide receiver position while still playing him at his more natural position on defense. Two positions for pick No. 2.” And honestly? We can’t wait to see what he has to offer. In Travis Hunter’s own words, “I ain’t got nothing that can break. The only thing I got is trophies.” And that’s exactly the energy he’s bringing to the Jags. Unapologetic. Unbreakable.

Deion Sanders stands witness to Travis Hunter’s rise in the NFL, which is almost too sure to come. He has also seen Hunter’s meteoric rise in college. When Hunter went to visit Sanders recently, they pulled each other’s legs and shared some light-hearted moments. It was a goodbye to his former coach, and a message to the world that he’s bringing in the heat. It was his mother who planted the seed called Hunter, and it was Coach Prime who watered it and helped it grow. And in retrospect, Edmonds’ IG story suddenly starts carrying a lot more weight than ever before. Doesn’t it?