After a vicious hit, Colorado star Travis Hunter chose the right path, and that should be admired.

The Colorado Buffaloes’ highly anticipated game against USC on Saturday will be without the two-way superstar Travis Hunter.

On September, Hunter experienced a ruptured liver.
He suffered a late and unnecessary violent hit from Rams defensive back Henry Blackburn on November 16 against Colorado State.
His teammates struggled without him in the crucial game against Oregon last week, and he is also anticipated to miss Arizona State’s game the following week.

Possibly resentful is Hunter.
He might be enraged. He could watch in silence as Blackburn is tormented online, or he could join the argument himself.

After all, he had his favorite sport unfairly taken away from him for a few weeks, along with the opportunity to play at the highest level.
In addition, having a “lacerated liver” doesn’t sound like something to look forward to.

Without a doubt, Hunter is a victim, and whether or not it’s justified, the victim card is being actively played in 2023 society.

Instead, Travis Hunter invited Blackburn to appear on his YouTube channel this week in addition to making comments that excused Blackburn. It was an attempt to show that everything wasn’t just forgiven, but that by taking the time to get to know one another, they had actually developed a friendship from an unlikely source.

Today, when too many people actively look for a slight, Hunter went in search of a solution.
He sought out a connection where many people hid in their corners.

This isn’t a negative video, man, for those who enjoy seeing negativity, said Hunter.
It’s clearly positive.
Nothing but good can come from this.
“.

How uncommon is that?

On live television, coaches argue over insignificant remarks.
On social media, senators harass one another.
Everyone, it seems, tries to paint the “other side” as evil in an effort to win over support, influence, power, or ego.

On the other hand, here’s this 20-year-old in Boulder, heading the other way.

a good direction.

Football, said Hunter.
It’s a game.
Quit being critical.
Negativity is not something we like. This is what the game does for you.
It might help you bond.
In the end, it all comes down to football.
Each of us is a brother.
“.

Despite being a star athlete for Colorado, Travis Hunter’s conduct off the field is even more commendable.
More about the image, which was provided by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images.

In order to get to know one another better, Hunter and Blackburn engaged in a conversation on a park bench while discussing football and other topics. Later, they went bowling to raise money for Realities for Children, a Colorado nonprofit that assists abused, neglected, and at-risk children.

Blackburn’s late shot to Hunter’s chest that forced Hunter out of the game is what brought the two together initially. Blackburn, a senior who grew up in Boulder, was flagged on the play and was later on the receiving end of online vitriol, including threats against him.

Hunter and his coach, Deion Sanders, immediately begged spectators to keep their distance from Blackburn, describing the hit as an emotional sport.
Soon after, Hunter and Blackburn started talking on the phone before exchanging messages online.

They were on Hunter’s well-known YouTube channel on Thursday, which is now acceptable because college players have been granted rights to their name, image, and likeness.
Hunter sought to dictate the message.

I hope people hear that message.

Hunter declared, “This video is something good.”

“I appreciate how you handled it,” Blackburn said.
“A lot of people would [feel] hatred.
You just handled it in a mature way.
”.

Hunter is a sophomore from outsider Atlanta and arguably the most interesting person in college football.
He was the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2022, but turned down offers from every major program to sign with Sanders and Jackson State, an HBCU that played a lower level of football.
Not since the sport fully integrated had such a recruit made such a decision.

Hunter’s connection with Sanders is deep.
He cried on Sanders’ shoulders before his first college game and then starred at both wide receiver and cornerback.
He continued the two-way act when he followed Coach Prime to Colorado this year, logging almost unheard of 120-plus plays in each of Buffs’ first two games.

Around the team, he’s known as an intense competitor but a quiet soul.
He calls himself “goofy” and said one reason he wasn’t mad at Blackburn was because it’s almost impossible to make him “angry.
” While he certainly aspires to play in the NFL, he said he also dreams of being on the Pro Bass Fishing Tour.

If nothing else, though, he should serve as an example to all.
A little grace.
A little kindness.
A little perspective can go a long way to improving a world too often bent on crushing or canceling opposition.
“Us coming together is something good that came out of that injury and that football game.
”.