FAITH UNDER FIRE: Jacksonville Jaguars star Travis Hunter has set the entire NFL ablaze with a bold declaration of faith that has fans, analysts, and league insiders buzzing. Just hours after Sunday’s game, where Hunter recorded one of his best performances of the season, he opened his phone, went live on Instagram, and dropped a message that instantly shook the sports world:

“Jesus is my quarterback. I don’t care about stats, just follow Him.”

The post came alongside a heartfelt tribute to conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, whose recent death has sparked waves of debate across social media. Hunter’s words were simple but powerful — and the reaction was immediate. Within 24 hours, his follower count dropped by more than 250,000. But rather than back down, Hunter doubled down.

“Look, I’m not here to please the internet. I’m here to play football, to glorify God, and to tell people the truth,” he said in a follow-up video. “If you hit unfollow, that’s cool. But don’t miss the chance to follow Jesus.”

The comments section quickly turned into a war zone. Thousands of fans praised Hunter for his courage, calling him a “real leader” and “the Tim Tebow of a new generation.” Others criticized him, accusing him of “mixing religion with football” and “bringing politics into the locker room.”

Reporters rushed to ask teammates and coaches about the viral moment. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson addressed it in his Monday press conference:

“Travis has been an incredible asset to this team. His faith is personal, and we respect that. He’s allowed to speak his truth as long as he’s ready to back it up on the field — and right now, he is.”

Hunter’s teammates rallied behind him, with several posting Bible verses on their own profiles. Star quarterback Trevor Lawrence commented, “Couldn’t agree more. Jesus leads me too.” This show of solidarity turned Hunter’s statement into more than just a viral post — it became a movement inside the Jaguars locker room.

Sports media outlets have run non-stop coverage. ESPN devoted an entire segment to the “Faith vs. Followers” debate, discussing whether Hunter’s boldness might inspire other athletes to speak up. Fox Sports ran a headline calling him “The NFL’s New Faith Warrior.”

Outside the sports world, Christian leaders praised Hunter’s courage, saying his words were a powerful testimony. One pastor wrote, “Travis Hunter just preached a sermon to millions without stepping into a church. This is what unashamed faith looks like.”

But the backlash hasn’t stopped. Some fans have burned his jersey on TikTok, and a handful of sponsors are reportedly “reviewing their relationship” with the young star. Marketing experts warn that his stance could cost him millions in endorsements — but Hunter doesn’t seem to care.

“If I lose every deal, every follower, even my career — that’s okay. I’d rather stand for Jesus than stand for nothing.”

The NFL Players Association even released a statement acknowledging the online storm: “Players have the right to express their beliefs. We stand with Travis Hunter’s freedom to share his faith.”

This entire episode comes as the Jaguars are pushing for a playoff spot, and Hunter’s words are giving the team a new emotional rallying cry. Fans who support him have started wearing shirts that say “Jesus is My Quarterback” to games, turning TIAA Bank Field into a sea of faith and football energy.

Whether you see it as brave or controversial, there’s no denying that Travis Hunter has transformed a routine postgame moment into one of the most talked-about stories of the NFL season. His name is trending nationwide, his message is echoing beyond football, and his refusal to compromise is inspiring believers and challenging critics at the same time.

As the Jaguars prepare for their next big matchup, all eyes will be on Hunter — not just to see if he can deliver another highlight performance, but to see how far this faith-fueled movement will go. One thing is clear: for Travis Hunter, this is bigger than football.