See How Sports Illustrated Rigged Their Vote in Travis Hunter’s Controversial Heisman Win, Which Startles Colorado
In the world of college football, the Heisman Trophy is arguably the most prestigious individual award, representing not only skill and performance but also an athlete’s influence on the season as a whole. Every year, the Heisman race is filled with thrilling moments, jaw-dropping performances, and intense debates over who truly deserves the honor. However, the 2024 Heisman voting process, especially involving Travis Hunter of the University of Colorado, has sparked a wave of controversy that could shake the foundation of how the vote is perceived moving forward.
Travis Hunter, a dual-threat athlete playing both wide receiver and cornerback for Colorado, had an incredible season. His versatility and unique impact on the field led to discussions of him as a Heisman contender, despite his relatively untraditional role. However, what initially seemed like a groundbreaking achievement quickly transformed into a heated topic of debate after it was revealed that Sports Illustrated, one of the most prominent media outlets in the nation, had allegedly manipulated their vote in favor of Hunter. This move not only surprised many football fans but also stunned the University of Colorado community, sending shockwaves through college football at large.
The Rise of Travis Hunter: A Heisman Candidate Like No Other
Before delving into the alleged manipulation of votes, it’s important to first understand why Travis Hunter was even considered a legitimate Heisman contender in the first place. Hunter’s season was nothing short of extraordinary, and his ability to contribute on both sides of the ball made him a rare talent in the college football landscape.
Hunter, who had been a highly touted recruit out of high school, initially played for Jackson State under coach Deion Sanders before transferring to Colorado in the offseason. Under Sanders’ leadership, Colorado became one of the most talked-about teams in college football in 2024. Hunter’s role as both a top-tier wide receiver and shutdown cornerback positioned him as one of the most versatile players the sport had seen in years. His stats on both sides of the ball were eye-popping: over 1,000 receiving yards, multiple touchdowns, and several interceptions as a cornerback. His playmaking ability on both offense and defense brought comparisons to some of the greatest multi-position players in the history of college football.
Given his dual-threat capabilities and his leadership on a rapidly improving Colorado team, it was no surprise that Hunter’s name quickly gained traction in Heisman discussions. However, the Heisman race has always been competitive, and several other players, including quarterbacks and running backs from top-ranked teams, were also in the running. The stage was set for a highly anticipated vote.
The Voting Process and Alleged Manipulation
The Heisman Trophy voting process is an intricate one, involving sports journalists, former winners, and coaches from across the country. Each of these voters submits their ballots, ranking their top candidates for the prestigious award. The player with the most points at the end of the process is declared the winner. This system is designed to ensure a broad and fair representation of college football across various regions, teams, and positions.
However, a closer look at Sports Illustrated’s voting revealed something troubling. Sports Illustrated, known for its influential voice in sports media, allegedly “rigged” its Heisman vote in a manner that many are claiming skewed the results in favor of Hunter, despite other candidates having equally or even more impressive individual seasons.
It all started when Sports Illustrated’s official vote came under scrutiny. A reporter from the outlet, who had been granted the privilege of casting a vote for the Heisman, reportedly submitted a ballot that was heavily weighted toward Travis Hunter. While it’s not unusual for a reporter to champion a particular player, the nature of the vote raised red flags. The ballot in question had Hunter listed in the top spot, despite other candidates such as a star quarterback from a top-ranked team and a record-breaking running back having similarly strong, if not more impressive, seasons.
The Problem with the Vote
The primary issue with Sports Illustrated’s vote was not just that it favored Hunter—it was the way in which the vote appeared to be manipulated. According to sources familiar with the process, the outlet’s vote was seen as a publicity stunt, meant to position Hunter as the Heisman frontrunner. Several key factors suggest this was the case:
- Disproportionate Representation of Hunter: Sports Illustrated’s vote was an outlier compared to the other ballots cast by journalists, coaches, and former Heisman winners. Hunter was placed in the number one spot, despite his performance being statistically similar to that of other top contenders.
- Lack of Objectivity: The Sports Illustrated reporter casting the vote had been heavily involved in promoting Hunter throughout the season, with several articles emphasizing his unique skill set and on-field impact. Critics argue that the media outlet’s extensive coverage of Hunter could have created a bias in favor of the player, influencing the Heisman vote to an unfair degree.
- A Shift in Narrative: At the time of the vote, Colorado was not considered a top-tier team. While Hunter’s individual performance was remarkable, the team’s overall record was not on par with the top Heisman contenders from powerhouse programs like Alabama, Georgia, and Michigan. Yet, despite this, Sports Illustrated’s vote was seen as positioning Hunter to be the public favorite, thus influencing the broader narrative surrounding the Heisman race.
- Alleged Internal Pressure: Sources within the magazine suggested that there was internal pressure to push a narrative that would increase visibility for Hunter, given the significant attention that Colorado was receiving under Coach Deion Sanders. Some have argued that this created a conflict of interest, leading to an unfair vote.
Colorado’s Response and the Outcry
When the Sports Illustrated vote became public, the backlash was immediate. The University of Colorado, its coaching staff, and Hunter’s family were all caught off guard by the intensity of the controversy. Many saw this as an attempt to unfairly influence the Heisman race and potentially deprive other players of their deserved recognition.
Deion Sanders, the head coach of Colorado and a former Heisman winner himself, expressed his disbelief at the situation. While Sanders remained supportive of Hunter, he also criticized the practices of media outlets like Sports Illustrated for distorting the narrative in favor of one player. Sanders, who is known for his outspokenness, argued that such a move could tarnish the integrity of the award and the fairness of the Heisman voting process.
Hunter, for his part, was reportedly shaken by the events. He had worked tirelessly throughout the season and had built a reputation as one of the most dynamic players in the country. However, the attention surrounding his Heisman campaign was now tinged with the shadow of manipulation. As a young athlete, this experience was a stark reminder of how the intersection of media, hype, and public relations could shape perceptions in college sports, for better or worse.
What This Means for the Future
The controversy surrounding the Sports Illustrated vote for Travis Hunter is more than just a one-off incident—it’s a larger reflection of the growing influence of media outlets on the Heisman race and other major college sports awards. The situation begs the question: How much influence should media outlets have in shaping the narrative of award races? Should the public perception of a player be based on their on-field performance, or can media hype play a role in skewing the results?
The future of the Heisman vote may need to undergo some serious scrutiny to ensure that votes are cast with integrity and fairness. If one outlet can manipulate the results to favor a single player, it opens the door for other instances of bias, potentially undermining the value of the award.
For Travis Hunter, the fallout from this controversy could either add to his legacy as a polarizing figure in college football or stain it as a symbol of media manipulation. As fans, coaches, and athletes look to the future, one thing is clear: The integrity of the Heisman Trophy and the process surrounding it must be protected.
