Travis Hunter has retired from the Colorado football team. 28-9 win in the Rocky Mountain Showdown against CSU in Week 2, apparently with a shoulder injury. He had never done that before, as he has since revealed.

“This is probably the first time I’ve ever done this,” said Hunter (h/t USA Today). “This is probably the first time. Because usually when I run over him I can catch my breath and get back up, but this time I was just, I don’t know what happened.”

Hunter doesn’t seem to plan on missing anytime soon. It was announced on game day that he would be taking three days off per week, so he’ll be rested and ready when Sept. 21 and Baylor roll around.

Side note: It’s unbelievable that Hunter doesn’t prepare at the level of most Division I players across the country and yet performs better than everyone else despite limited practice time.

At the 2023 Rocky Mountain Showdown, Hunter suffered a liver injury after an unfair hit by CSU DB Henry Blackburn. In one of the best moments of CU’s 28-9 victory over the Rams, Hunter caught a touchdown pass from Shedeur and held on to it despite Blackburn trying to smack it out of his hand.

No chance. Hunter, like the Buffs, won the second round convincingly.

But it has not escaped anyone’s notice that Hunter’s liver damage last year – caused by a Dirty hit from Blackburn – caused him to miss a crucial series of games, including a 42-6 loss to Oregon, a nearly missed Colorado comeback game against USC and the team’s final win of the 2023 season against ASU.

Hunter came back and was immediately steamrolled by Elic Ayomanor during the loss to Stanford. He would find his rhythm again in 2023, but he doesn’t play like he does now.

Hopefully his shoulder won’t get in the way of his plans in 2024.