Travis Hunter’s Valentine’s Day had all the elements of a gorgeous story: surprise, emotion, and a reaction that melted hearts online. The Jacksonville Jaguars star got caught completely off guard by something his wife had planned.
Fans naturally picked up on the moment after it was shared online, and the response was immediate: a mix of awe, excitement, and appreciation for seeing a softer side of the young NFL standout.
Travis Hunter’s Cane Corso Surprise Steals Hearts
The story went viral when his wife, Leanna Lenee, revealed the gift, a 12-week-old Cane Corso puppy. Hunter had been asking for the dog for over a year, and Lenee finally caved, planning the perfect Valentine’s surprise.
“Come with me to PetSmart to get Travis some new puppy stuff for a new dog that he doesn’t know he’s getting for Valentine’s Day. He’s been asking me for a Cane Corso puppy for like probably a year and a half and I’ve always like no like no no no I’m not like a big dog person. I’m like a cat person so I’m was kind of pushing it off but he’s been asking me for it forever.”
“So finally for Valentine’s Day I was like I’m gonna go ahead and get him one, um because gonna make him happy and it’s so crazy because the last two weeks he’s been asking me for a dog non-stop for his birthday.”
The new puppy adds a whole new energy to their home. Lenee explained that the timing worked out perfectly, since Hunter had been asking for a dog rather than another baby, and the deposit had already been secured.
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“I got him a 12-week-old Cane Corso girl. She’s already huge like she looks big already, so I’m nervous but also excited because there’s another girl in the house, and I’m in a house full of boys.”
Off the field, Hunter is preparing for a big shift in his role with the Jaguars. NFL Network reported on February 14 that the team plans to deploy him primarily as a cornerback while keeping him part-time at receiver.
Last season, he played 67% of offensive snaps compared to 36% on defense before a season-ending LCL injury in Week 9. Hunter is expected to be fully healthy for Week 1, and with Montaric Brown and Greg Newsome II hitting free agency, he could see more defensive responsibility.
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In seven games last year, Hunter caught 28 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown while adding 15 tackles and three pass breakups. His final game included eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown against the Rams in London.
The Jaguars, who went 13-4 and won the AFC South before falling to Buffalo in the Wild Card round, will be counting on Hunter to make an impact on both sides of the ball in 2026.
