Jacksonville Jaguars GM James Gladstone gave an epic Hollywood-style speech on Friday as he introduced Travis Hunter – but not everyone thought it was a good look. 

The Jaguars seized center stage in the first round of the NFL Draft, trading up to second pick with the Cleveland Browns to take Hunter, a rare two-way player who can be a receiver and a cornerback.

The 34-year-old Gladstone welcomed Hunter at Jaguars HQ on Friday before they faced the media alongside head coach Liam Coen. There, Gladstone said to reporters: ‘As we sit here, Travis Hunter is Jacksonville Jaguar. And really what comes to mind for me, right, thinking about the sport of football. And the power of the game itself. It is capacity to ignite belief. Belief in ourselves, belief in others, belief in achieving what many deem as impossible. 

‘Travis Hunter, he embodies belief. He is a rare person. He is a rare player. But he is also a reminder that the boundaries of the game of football were built to be challenged. And so the decision to select him was actually a statement. A statement for how we plan to move, who were are. 

‘And we want him to be nothing more than him. Because when he is, he elevates the space around him. From the football field, to the city, to the game of football itself. Travis Hunter is who we have been hunting up. Couldn’t be more jacked to be sitting right here beside him and to introduce you to the man of the hour.’ 

There were some NFL fans, even outside of the Jaguars, who thought it was an epic introduction for a generational talent. But plenty thought it was over-the-top, including Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.

The Jacksonville Jaguars took Travis Hunter with the 2nd pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft

Jacksonville Jaguars GM James Gladstone gave a lengthy speech to welcome Hunter

Statement made.#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/qmje44HXOX

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) April 25, 2025

‘Between the Duval thing and this the Jags seeming more like a weird cult than a football team,’ Portnoy said. 

The ‘Duval thing’ is a the ‘Duval’ chant Jags fans sing at NFL games. Coen tried to copy it at his own introductory press conference earlier this year but was visibly uncomfortable, making it an awkward viral meme rather than the inspiring moment it was meant to be.

There were plenty of fans in agreement with Portnoy, with one responding to the Jags video by saying: ‘I’m going to tell my kids that this is Kamala Harris. Word salad much?’

Another wrote: ‘Dude thinks he’s Shakespeare… what the hell is this?’

A different take suggested Gladstone might have been trying too hard to underline his own authority, saying: ‘That GM has read too many leadership books. Needs to chill lol but good for him on that role at a young age.’

Gladstone was confirmed as the Jags’ GM in February, leaving his role as director of strategy at the Los Angeles Rams to steer the ship in Jacksonville.

Alongside newly-appointed head coach Coen, there is certainly more reason for optimism around the franchise after their 4-13 campaign in 2024.

Their woes last season were compounded by quarterback Trevor Lawrence missing the end of the season with a concussion.

Not all fans were impressed – some compared it to a ‘Kamala Harris word salad’

He got concussed from a hit from Texans linebacker Azzes Al-Shaair on Dec. 1 and then underwent surgery on his AC joint on his non-throwing shoulder. 

With or without Gladstone’s speech, there will be huge excitement around the Jaguars with Hunter on the roster when the new season begins in September.

The NFL is going to announce the 2025 season schedule on May 14.