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Travis Hunter begs Deion Sanders to play Colorado vs. USC game despite injury

Travis Hunter is nursing a liver injury but is in Deion Sanders' ear about playing this week
James Parks|
Travis Hunter begs Deion Sanders to play Colorado vs. USC game despite injury
Travis Hunter begs Deion Sanders to play Colorado vs. USC game despite injury

Colorado two-way football star Travis Hunter is dealing with an injury that could put him out for a few weeks, but he's still lobbying coach Deion Sanders to play this week when the Buffaloes host No. 8 USC this weekend.

"I need to play this week. We need to get everything we can so I can get back on the field. I’m not taking no for an answer," Sanders said Hunter texted him. 

Prime's reply? Not just yet.

"No, you ain’t ready and I care about you more than I care about this game," Sanders said. "You’re going to change the game of football one day when you’re healthy and ready. Your future is brighter than mine ever would be and ever was. Relax and get healthy. I love you son."

Hunter sustained a lacerated liver following a hard hit from Colorado State safety Henry Blackburn in the Buffaloes' double-overtime win two weeks ago, an injury that required a trip to the hospital during the game. 

He was absent for CU's 42-6 loss to Oregon last Saturday, one of three games he's expected to miss.

A star at both wide receiver and cornerback, Hunter's absence was palpable in a game Sanders described as a "good, old-fashioned butt-kicking."

Sanders shared the text he received from Hunter with the team as a teaching moment to show that he cares more for the player than anything on the field.

"I care about y’all more than I care about this game," Sanders said to his team. 

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James Parks
JAMES PARKS

James Parks is the founder and publisher of College Football HQ. He has covered football for a decade, previously managing several team sites and publishing national content for 247Sports.com for five years. His work has also been published on CBSSports.com. He founded College Football HQ in 2020, and the site joined the Sports Illustrated Fannation Network in 2022 and the On SI network in 2024.

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