Ex-NFL Quarterback Lashes out at Skip Bayless for Questioning Travis Hunter’s Baptism Timing: “Get out of Here Man”

Travis Hunter recorded four receptions for a total of 15 receiving yards in addition to two tackles of the defensive side of the ball.

Ex-NFL Quarterback Lashes out at Skip Bayless for Questioning Travis Hunter’s Baptism Timing: “Get out of Here Man”

Travis Hunter, Skip Bayless (Images via SBJ/BBC)

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Jacksonville Jaguars’ two-way star from West Palm Beach, Florida, Travis Hunter, recently made headlines with his unique pre-game activity. On the morning of the Jaguars’ game against the Seattle Seahawks, Hunter scheduled his baptism at Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Colorado Buffaloes alum explained his motives behind the baptism as purely personal and religious. However, not everyone agreed with the timing of his baptism, which was just a few hours ahead of the kickoff at noon. Among the media pundits who called out Hunter for the same reasoning was Skip Bayless.

In a video posted by the media personality, he claimed that Hunter was mentally checked out of the game. He added that the player had very low amounts of focus or concentration regarding the affairs of the game.

Travis Hunter is starting to lose interest. He’s starting to check out mentally on the Jags, so he was actually happy to be baptized on a gameday morning. Because football isn’t taking that much concentration. Or focus, or pre-game mental preparation. Nope, not now.

Bayless’ comment, meanwhile, was meant with a lot of noise online. Religion is considered a personal matter, and the questioning about his choice by Bayless was hit back with some steam by a former undrafted NFL quarterback, Kurt Benkert. Benkert, who played one game in his career, was of the opinion that it was the perfect time to do so.

Benkert tweeted that Hunter was not snacking or sitting idly on his couch but devoted to something he considered meaningful. Benkert said in a re-tweet of the original tweet by Bayless:

Or maybe he chose the perfect time to show what is most important in his life. What he chooses to do with his time away from the team is his choice. Instead of sitting in the hotel watching tv snacking before a game, he re dedicated his life to God. Get out of here man.

Travis Hunter was not the lone NFL athlete to have undergone a baptism ahead of Week 6. Hollywood Brown, as well as his entrepreneur-CEO fiancée, Zoei Billions, had a similar ceremony earlier last week.

Robert Griffin III wants Skip Bayless to be baptized to wash away his previous bad takes

The two-way star also received support from Robert Griffin III for doing the ceremony ahead of game time. Griffin held that Skip Bayless had no right to question someone turning to their faith.

Travis Hunter (2)
Travis Hunter (Image via AP)

Griffin, who’s deeply devoted to his faith and stays away from any vices, wrote that Hunter’s decision to get baptized was not a matter to analyze. He added that Hunter didn’t need Bayless’ approval to pursue something that is very much revered in his faith. He also asked Bayless to consider doing one to wash away his past takes. He wrote on X:

Travis Hunter just got baptized and Skip Bayless is tripping about it…Questioning Travis Hunter’s focus and dedication to his team because he gave his life to God through baptism is not analysis. It’s arrogance. A man finding salvation doesn’t need your approval. There’s never a wrong time to dedicate your life to God. Maybe instead of critiquing baptisms, you should try one. It might wash away all those bad takes.

Bayless didn’t have any problem with Hunter’s choice to be baptized. He himself was baptized as an infant in a Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. However, he did have an issue with the timing and the young athlete’s head-in-the-game mentality. Though he aimed to highlight Hunter’s limited game, his words got stuck, and shots were fired.

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