Skip Bayless sparked a heated discussion on Wednesday when he criticized Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter for prioritizing his baptism over pregame preparations.
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In a nearly 30-minute video on Twitter, Bayless dissected what he saw as Hunter’s lack of full commitment to his team, highlighting the young athlete’s choice to be baptized on the morning of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
“He’s starting to check out mentally on the Jags, so he was actually happy to be baptized on a game day morning because football isn’t taking that much concentration or focus or pregame mental preparation,” Bayless said.
Bayless argued that Hunter’s decision reflected a mindset influenced by his limited playing time.
“It was a stunning indication of where his head is at, or not at, right now,” he continued. “It’s not really into football right now.” He added, “His attitude, obviously, in this case was, hey, they’re not using me that much anyway, why not?”
Hunter explained his decision in his own words, stating, “It’s Sunday. It’s God’s day, and I’ve been planning to get baptized for a minute. I want to change my life. I want to become a better man.”
While questioning Hunter’s competitive focus, Bayless acknowledged his rare talents, noting that the rookie plays both wide receiver and cornerback.
“As gifted as he is, God did not give him football overdrive. God did not give him supreme dedication to football,” Bayless said. “Football’s just something that comes pretty easy to him. His life doesn’t revolve around football. It’s something he really enjoys playing because he’s really, really good at it.”
Despite being the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Hunter has played only six games, and his dual role as a two-way player adds complexity to his development.
On top of that, he and his wife, Leanna Lenee, welcomed their first child just a few months ago.
Though Bayless questioned Hunter’s priorities, the rookie’s abilities, versatility, and personal responsibilities show that his focus is spread across multiple aspects of life.
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. pic.twitter.com/hzqydPXSYG
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 15, 2025
