College football star Travis Hunter receives 2 prestigious awards in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A once in a lifetime football player received multiple awards in Louisville Monday evening.

Travis Hunter, wide receiver and defensive back for the University of Colorado, received the first-ever Emerging GOAT Award at the Muhammad Ali Center. Hunter then finished his day in Louisville with his second-straight Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in college football.

Hunter also received a special plaque from Mayor Craig Greenberg.

"Congratulations. You can put that right next to the Heisman," Greenberg said.

A packed room at the Galt House Monday evening all wanted to see the college superstar as the spotlight will only grow brighter and bigger as he soon becomes one of the top picks in the NFL draft.

"It's crazy, but I like it," Hunter said. "I don't fold under pressure so I'm enjoying my spotlight right now.

Hunter dazzled college football with incredible stats as a wide receiver and a defensive back, rarely taking a breather as he dominated both sides of the ball.

"He doesn't need rest, he doesn't come off the field," UofL Football Head Coach Jeff Brohm said. "At the pro level and the college level to not come off the field and do what he does, it just doesn't happen and I don't know if it'll happen again in my lifetime, but just a tremendous talent and fun to watch."

What is Hunter's key to his success? Drinking a lot of water and he never skips a workout, even if it is to accept an award.

"Just bring your trainer with you, so I kinda get my trainer here and get my workout in wherever I land, wherever I'm at," Hunter said.

Among the impressed attendees for the Hornung Award was the man who won it in 2014, Shaq Thompson. Thompson said he is impressed by Hunter's abilities.

"He's a tremendous athlete," Thompson said. "He's a one of a kind, a rare breed. This award might be better than the Heisman. You know whoever's going to take him is going to be one hell of a lucky team."

But, what about those teams that might skip drafting Hunter in the first round?

"You're going to have to see me so you're going to have to play against me and have to see what you missed out on, too," Hunter said.

And off the field, don't be surprised if Hunter wins the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for community service.

"I'm a nice kind of guy, like to be around kids and play with kids and play video games with kids and tech them to fish and teach them how to be positive and the nice kids in the neighborhood," Hunter said.

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