Woman unknowingly bonds with Travis Hunter on an airplane: ‘Nicest young man'
One woman had 'the most wonderful flight home' from Denver, Colorado, thanks to her seat companion: NFL rookie Travis Hunter.
Sandy Hawkins Combs shared in a Facebook post May 10 that she met 'the nicest young man' sitting beside her on a plane.
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'He offered to put my bag in the overhead compartment and helped me with my tray. He was always polite, saying 'yes ma'am' or 'no ma'am,'' she recalled in the post. 'Anyone would be proud to have him as a son or grandson — so polite.'
People then began walking by their seats and congratulating the man, according to Combs, who had no clue whom she was seated beside.
'I turned and asked him, 'Who am I sitting next to?' I looked at his Jaguar pants, smiled, and asked, 'Are you an athlete?'' she wrote. 'He smiled and said, 'I'm Travis. Yes, I was drafted by the Jags.''
Unbeknownst to her, Combs was sitting next to a newly minted Jacksonville Jaguars player.
Travis Hunter and Sandy Hawkins Combs. (via Facebook)
'I already told my sons I want his jersey,' Combs wrote.
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Raving about Hunter's character, she continued, 'He's so humble and down-to-earth — I would have never guessed he was a professional athlete.'
Combs then congratulated the Jaguars on their new player, telling the team, 'You did good! I will be buying tickets.' She also thanked United Airlines for her unexpected seat assignment.
The former University of Colorado cornerback and wide receiver went No. 2 at the 2025 NFL draft last month after winning the coveted Heisman Trophy, which named him the top collegiate football player in 2024.
During his acceptance speech in December 2024, Hunter became emotional when thanking his family — specifically his dad, Travis Hunter Sr. — for sacrifices they made allowing him to play and excel at his sport.
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'I want to say something to my father. He's not here. But I know you're watching on TV,' Hunter said, wiping tears from his eyes. 'Dad, I love you. All the stuff you went through, man. Now, look at your oldest son. I did it for you, man.'
In March 2024, Hunter memorably surprised his mom with a home in Savannah, Georgia, capturing her reaction in a heartwarming video posted to YouTube.
Before showing his mom her new abode, Hunter described the five-bedroom house as 'very, very nice' to his camerawoman and fiancée, Leanna Lenee. When his mom, Ferrante Edmonds, realized she was just gifted a beautiful home, gold confetti erupted into the air amid plenty of smiles and laughter.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
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