Stephen A's Take: Travis Hunter + Fiancée needs to get some alligator skin to fend off haters!

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: In-Depth Analysis of Travis Hunter and Fiancée’s Social Media Maneuvers

Release Date: December 19, 2024

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Overview

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into the recent social media activities of Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and his fiancée, Liana Lanae. The discussion centers around their public defenses of their relationship amidst widespread online scrutiny and criticism. Stephen A. provides a critical perspective on their approach, offering insights into the potential repercussions of their actions in the highly polarized environment of social media.

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Liana Lanae’s Public Statement

The conversation begins with Stephen A. addressing Liana Lanae's recent appearance on TikTok, where she explained her subdued reaction during Travis Hunter's Heisman Trophy announcement. Liana detailed her reasons for not standing up immediately, emphasizing her desire to keep the moment focused on Travis and his family rather than themselves.

Liana Lanae ([01:35]):
"When his name was called, I instantly was gonna. If you watch the video, you can see me, like. But his mom didn't get up. So I was like, oh, maybe I don't get up. Maybe I just sit here with her. ... I was super excited for him, but I wanted the moment to be about him and his family."

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Stephen A. Smith’s Critique and Analysis

Stephen A. transitions into a comprehensive critique of Liana and Travis's decision to address their personal matters publicly. He expresses confusion and frustration over their choice to share intimate moments and vulnerabilities on social media platforms, arguing that such actions may attract undue negative attention and undermine their public image.

Stephen A. Smith ([02:45]):
"First of all, Leona, you are his lady. You are his fiancée. ... Why are you explaining to the world how much you care about him? ... What are you doing? ... Let me fully explain. ... You are about to be his wife. ... You got to be stronger than that. You got to have alligator skin."

Key Points from Stephen A.:

1. Vulnerability as a Weakness: Stephen A. contends that displaying emotions and personal struggles on public platforms exposes Liana and Travis to criticism and diminishes their strength in the eyes of fans and followers.

2. Impact on Professional Image: He emphasizes that as Travis transitions into the NFL, maintaining a strong and unshakable public persona is crucial for his career. Publicly airing personal issues could be perceived as a distraction or a sign of instability.

3. Advice for Resilience: Stephen A. advises both Liana and Travis to develop thicker skins ("alligator skin") to better navigate the inevitable online backlash and to focus on their professional and personal growth without external validation or interference.

Stephen A. Smith ([05:20]):
"Don't give into that. You’re about to go into the National Football League. ... You need to think about the people that you're involving in your life, how close knit they are. ... Try and get your paper. Try to build your career ... You don't need to be coming home after a hard day's work ... You just won the Heisman. ... Let it roll right off your chest."

Anticipated Consequences:

Stephen A. predicts that the current approach will invite more scrutiny and negativity rather than garnering sympathy or support. He warns that trolls and critics will seize upon any perceived weakness to further target the couple, ultimately detracting from their achievements and overshadowing their professional successes.

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Stephen A.'s Final Thoughts

Concluding his analysis, Stephen A. underscores the importance of maintaining privacy and resilience in the face of public scrutiny. He reiterates his support for both Travis and Liana but insists that their current strategy may not be in their best interest as they advance in their respective careers.

Stephen A. Smith ([08:50]):
"You don’t have to do what you did. She don't have to do what she did. ... Because in most instances, people in this world are wishing they were you. ... Being on social media, holding back tears, voice cracking and all of that. ... No, that showed the world they could get to you. You don't do that."

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Conclusion

This episode offers a critical examination of how public figures manage personal narratives on social media. Stephen A. Smith advocates for a more guarded and resilient approach, suggesting that Travis Hunter and Liana Lanae reconsider their public disclosures to better protect their personal and professional lives from unnecessary turmoil and criticism.

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Notable Quotes

• Liana Lanae ([01:35]):
  "I wanted the moment to be about him and his family."

• Stephen A. Smith ([05:20]):
  "You got to have alligator skin."

• Stephen A. Smith ([08:50]):
  "You don't do that."

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Key Takeaways

• Public Persona Management: Maintaining a strong, unblemished public image is crucial for athletes transitioning to professional leagues.

• Privacy vs. Publicity: Balancing personal vulnerability with the need for privacy can help mitigate negative online interactions.

• Resilience Against Criticism: Developing a thick skin is essential for enduring and overcoming the challenges posed by public scrutiny and online trolls.

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This comprehensive analysis by Stephen A. Smith provides valuable insights for public figures navigating the complexities of social media, emphasizing the importance of strategic communication and personal resilience.

Transcript

[A]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[B]

What's up, everyone? Julie Swerbinks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[C]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[B]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[C]

Each week, we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[B]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[C]

Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[B]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Now I want to get into a story I've seen percolating in the headlines and social media, and that's about Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and his fiance, Liana Lanae. For some reason, these two young people feel the need to hit the social media airwaves to defend their relationship in front of the world. I really don't get this. Liana went to TikTok Monday. TikTok. To explain why she didn't stand when Travis was announced as the Heisman Trophy winner. Take a look at this.

[D]

When his name was called, I instantly was gonna. If you watch the video, you can see me, like. But his mom didn't get up. So I was like, oh, maybe I don't get up. Maybe I just sit here with her. So I sat there, and then. And then y'all said, coach prime had it. Tell me to get up. No, he didn't. He said, go get him. Go get your man, like. And once Travis stood up. But he didn't have to do that because I was going to do that anyways. As soon as I seen Travis get up, then I thought it was appropriate to stand up, greet him, congratulate him. But then there was a camera right in front of Coach prime, and I knew they were going to film that moment. And because of how people are online, I was like, I don't want to be in that shot. So so I'm gonna sit down. So I try to sit down so I'm not in the camera while I'm crying, people are gonna, oh, why? She's. Why is she crying? Like, you know, stuff like that. And so I got out of the camera purposefully so they can have their moment. That's all it was. No one told me to stand up. No one had to tell me to celebrate with him. I was just sitting there crying. I wanted to take it in myself, too. I was super excited for him, but I wanted the moment to be about him and his family.

[B]

What are you doing, Leona? What are you doing? Before I go any further on this subject, let me fully explain. She also went on to explain her actions following Colorado's last home game, where fans wondered why she didn't seem to give him a hug. And then she explained to fans why she didn't respond to Travis when he first tried to holler via a dm. As for Travis, he also went to social media on Monday to defend his fiance, adding more, more fuel to this fire. Hunter, who swept all of the major college football awards, including the Heisman, appeared on the streaming platform Twitch that same day as Leona. He told fans she's been crying herself to sleep over comments made by Internet users. What are y'all doing? First of all, Leona, you are his lady. You are his fiance. You are about to be his wife. Why are you explaining to the world how much you care about him? Does he know that's all that matters? You are on camera, your voice cracking, tears feeling like seeming like they're on the verge of streaming down your face, completely upset over these assertions pervading all over social media. You think that's going to shut people up? All it's going to do is invite them to talk about you more. Why? Because you find people soft, squat and you soft spot and you squeeze. That's the cruel world we're living in. You got to be stronger than that. You got to have alligator skin. You're a young lady, a beautiful young lady who one would surmise completely loves her man and is looking forward to spending the rest of your life with him. Congratulations. But it's about him, not about what other people think about you with him. You got to learn that when you invite people in your relationships, you're ultimately going to invite them into your marriage. You really, really want that. You don't want that. That's number one. The big issue I have is with Travis Hunter. She's crying herself to sleep. What in God's name would make you think that that's a good thing to tell the world? Why would you do that? You think they gonna feel sorry for her? You think they're gonna have compassion? You don't see these trolls out here, bro. You are an all world player and they gonna find something to criticize you about. Just wait for it. It's coming, if it hasn't already. Give it time. I tell you. A few minutes. There's people talking about how she looks. I think she looks beautiful. I'm sure you do too. I'm quite sure there's other people that are saying otherwise. They don't mean it. It's to get at you. You could do better. Why you got to be with her? Why can't you be with somebody else? Blah, blah, blah. They gonna do all of that. What you doing? What are you doing? Don't give into that. You about to go into the National Football League. That's what you about to do. You're about to get paid. In my eyes. This should be your most selfish time. You need to think about the people that you're involving in your life, how close knit they are. Do they keep things internal? They gonna go on social media and express themselves. You don't need that. You ain't got time for that nonsense. Try and get your paper. Try to build your career trying to be in the National Football League, bro. You don't need to be coming home after a hard day's work as a National Football League player worried about what somebody got to say about you or your girl, your fiance. You can't respond to that. You just won the Heisman. And you on X talking about how or Twitch or whatever hell else you were on. Talking about how she had to cry herself to sleep. What in this world has told you? People are gonna say, oh, we're so cruel. We shouldn't have done that to her. We're sorry. They ain't gonna do that. They ain't gonna do that. There's a lot of good, decent people in this world, Travis. But the ones who are the loudest, the ones who are the most conspicuous, who illuminate the most, they ain't shit. They wait for you to fall, bruh. They don't give a damn about you. And in their eyes, your girl is your weak spot because she showed her vulnerabilities. Don't do it. Take it from your boy, Stephen. A cause you know I'm rooting for you. First of all, I think she's beautiful. I think y'all are a beautiful couple. I wish you nothing but the best. Secondly, you got prom. Talk to your coach. That brother knows they came after him, too. And look at how he's shining. Follow his lead. Last but not least, let me tell you something, bro. Listen to Cat Williams. You got 50 haters mad. You, man. You should be happy you don't have a hundred, 200, 500 alligator skin, brah. Develop more of it. Let it roll right off your chest. Because in most instances, people in this world are wishing they were you. You don't have to do what you did. She don't have to do what she did. Being on social media, holding back tears, voice cracking and all of that. No, that showed the world they could get to you. You don't do that. You don't do that.

[D]

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[C]

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[D]

What's happening?

[C]

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[A]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.