'It's God's day': Travis Hunter stands up for faith amid backlash, defends his baptism on Sunday

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter was baptized just hours before Sunday’s NFL game. The 22-year-old two-way player was baptized at Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, roughly 14 miles from EverBank Stadium.

The moment was captured on video and shared to Instagram by Kristine Love, who wrote, “Couldn’t find my keys this morning and was late for church, only to come upon Jacksonville Jaguars Travis Hunter getting baptized! He asked to come get baptized before today’s game. Thank you Jesus for touching this young man’s life!”

Hunter said the decision was something he had been planning for some time. He also explained that the reason he got baptized before the game was that it was Sunday. He was asked by a reporter about the baptism, and asked why he did it.

"It's a crazy question. Why did I get baptized? It's Sunday, it's God's day, and I've been planning to get baptized for a minute." I changed my life over to become a better man,” he said. Both Hunter and his wife have been vocal about his Christian faith. Hunter’s faith has also been influenced by Deion Sanders, who coached him during his college career.

"It means a lot. I'm becoming a better man and leaving my old self and starting a new chapter," Hunter added. Following his baptism, Hunter recorded four receptions and two tackles in the Jaguars’ matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

Despite the widespread support online for Hunter’s decision to get baptized, his choice drew criticism from sports commentator Skip Bayless. Bayless suggested that the timing reflected poorly on Hunter’s focus, adding that it proves the team is not utilizing Hunter enough and that he is starting to “check out mentally.”

“There is no way Travis Hunter should’ve chosen to be baptized on the morning of a game. He is losing interest. He is mentally checking out on the Jags,” Bayless argued in a post on X, which was accompanied by a 28-minute rant.