Pair of retired NFL stars rip Travis Hunter over two-way player difficulty

Travis Hunter, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is facing some backlash after his response to a question about the difficulty of being a two-way athlete in football. Former NFL stars and current podcast co-hosts Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson were among those who criticized Hunter for his comments.

At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Hunter was asked if being a two-way football player was more challenging than hitting and pitching in baseball like Shohei Ohtani does so successfully. Hunter responded by saying, “Probably me, what I do in football, because it’s a lot on your body. Ohtani, he’s a great player, but you gotta do a lot in football.”

Chad Johnson, a former NFL wide receiver, was quick to respond to Hunter’s comments. He challenged Hunter to get in a batting cage and try hitting a 95 mph fastball, stating that the comparison between football and baseball was not even close. Johnson humorously added that hitting a baseball and keeping a woman happy long term were the two most difficult things in life.

Shannon Sharpe also disagreed with Hunter’s assessment, stating that hitting a baseball is the most difficult thing to do in the world. He challenged Hunter to face a 90-95 mph fastball in a batting cage and emphasized that the two sports were not comparable in terms of difficulty.

Despite the criticism, Hunter remains steadfast in his belief that he can be a successful two-way player in the NFL. He has been meeting with teams to discuss potentially playing significant snaps on offense and defense in the pros. Hunter played both wide receiver and cornerback in college under head coach Deion Sanders and excelled on both sides of the ball.

As NFL decision-makers debate how to utilize Hunter’s talents, he remains confident in his abilities. He believes that he is “just different” and is determined to prove himself as a unique and versatile player in the league.

In conclusion, while Hunter’s comments may have sparked some controversy, it is clear that he is determined to make his mark as a two-way player in the NFL. Only time will tell if he can live up to his own expectations and silence his critics.