Articles by Skyler Caruso

Technology

NFL Rookie Travis Hunter Shares Sweet On-Field Reunion with Stranger He Helped on Plane 6 Months Earlier

Talk about a full-circle moment! Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter shared a heartwarming reunion with a stranger-turned-friend, Sandy Hawkins Combs, at his game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, Oct. 6, six months after they met on a flight after the 2025 NFL Draft. The pair sat next to each other on the flight, and Combs went viral for not knowing Hunter was the "polite" man beside her. On Monday, the 22-year-old NFL rookie — who was selected second overall by the organization in April — grinned as he embraced Combs on the field at EverBank Stadium, where the Jaguars went on to defeat the Chiefs 31-28. After the sweet moment, the NFL team's official X account shared videos of the "full circle moment," alongside Combs' Facebook post about their flight together from back in April. In it, she had praised Hunter for his polite manners and helpfulness towards her during the flight. "I had the most wonderful flight home from Denver. I met the nicest young man who sat next to me. He offered to put my bag in the overhead compartment and helped me with my tray. He was always polite, saying 'yes ma'am' or 'no ma'am,' " she began her post. "Anyone would be proud to have him as a son or grandson-so polite," she continued. "People walking by were saying congratulations, great job, or even taking pictures. I turned and asked him, 'Who am I sitting next to?' " "I looked at his Jaguar pants, smiled, and asked, 'Are you an athlete?' " Combs wrote. "He smiled and said, 'I'm Travis. Yes, I was drafted by the Jags.' I already told my sons I want his jersey. He's so humble and down-to-earth—I would have never guessed he was a professional athlete." She concluded, "JACKSONVILLE JAGS, you did good! I will be buying tickets. United Airlines, thank you for my seat assignment!" Days later, Hunter spoke sweetly of his interaction with Combs. "It was just a regular interaction. It was me being me," he said at the time. "A nice lady sat next to me, we conversed, and made sure I took care of her like I do my grandparents or any elderly person. So yeah, that’s all it was." Hunter has had a whirlwind of a year since he was selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He married his wife, Leanna Lenee, in May 2025 and the pair welcomed their first baby, a son, in August. The Florida native is the son of Ferrante Edmonds and Travis Hunter.