Carolina Panthers guard Robert Hunt embraces fatherhood as he builds NFL legacy
Robert Hunt’s second Father’s Day will be a bit more fulfilling than his first.
His son, Skye, was born in May 2024, roughly two months after he signed a five-year, $100 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. His girlfriend, Julia, was in her third trimester when Hunt put pen to paper and changed their lives forever. Hunt, 28, reflects on Julia’s pregnancy as a “beautiful process” that culminated with the arrival of a baby boy, just in time for last year’s offseason program.
But like with most infants, Skye’s initial connection was strongest with his mother. And while the mother-son bond remains strong, Skye’s interest in his father has grown immensely during the past six months.
So, Sunday will be a special Father’s Day for the Hunts.
“Early on, it’s kind of hard, because he only really wants momma — my son is a momma’s boy — loves his momma,” Hunt told The Observer. “Early on for me, it was like, ‘I can’t really do much, I’m just here, I’m supporting, I’m trying to be here,’ but once he got to six, seven, eight months, he realized who daddy was. And man, I’ll just go home today and he’ll have the biggest smile on his face.
“Obviously, he can’t talk yet, but he knows who I am, what time it is, and he’ll look at me and smile for maybe 10 seconds and then he’s done. He’s like, ‘I’m going to go and do my thing.’ But it’s just growing with him.”
A special arrival during a special season
Skye’s arrival coincided with a special season for Hunt.
While the Panthers’ starting right guard played at a high level during his four-year stint with the Miami Dolphins to begin his career, accolades had evaded him. But in 2024, Hunt became a pillar of head coach Dave Canales’ offense, and the increased spotlight led to national recognition.
Hunt earned his first Pro Bowl nod following his campaign in Carolina. The honor came after Hunt served as the face of an offensive line that gave up just 36 sacks last season. That total was 29 fewer than the Panthers’ 65 sack total in 2023.
Hunt got to enjoy his first Pro Bowl with Skye and Julia in Orlando in January. While the Central Florida heat created some inconvenience for Skye, Hunt was proud to share that moment with him.
“It was a little hot, so he was a menace that day for Julia,” Hunt said. “But at the end of the day, he was really good. He’ll have pictures and memories forever.”
Proud pops at home
Hunt and his son are starting to make memories at home, too.
The 6-foot-6, 323-pound lineman is teaching Skye about basketball. The proud dad will hand the ball to his son and watch him toss it into his hoop.
They’ve also started to chase each other around the house, and while Skye is mostly getting by on a simple crawl, Hunt enjoys getting a workout with his little guy.
“He’s pretty thin,” Hunt said. “He went and got his 1-year-old checkup and the little dude was 22 pounds. So, I’m a little upset about that (laughs) — he doesn’t have big bones yet. But his mom isn’t a big-boned girl, she’s a volleyball player, so she’s thin, so he might be thin. But he’s getting there.”
The lineman is also embracing being an at-home coach.
“I just celebrate for him and he smiles really big,” Hunt said.
The pair has also found a shared interest in music.
Hunt owns a guitar, and he’s introduced Skye to instruments around the house. The pair also watches Ms. Rachel — a popular YouTube channel that features original music and singalongs — together.
“I got him a drum set, so now he’s playing — he loves music,” Hunt said. “He loves to sing. He picks up my guitar whenever he can, so I love that.”
A happy second Father’s Day
Hunt and his young family will get a nice chunk of time to spend together following the completion of the offseason program on Thursday. They’ll enjoy some travel during the summer break and celebrate Father’s Day with a fun trip.
Skye is probably a bit too young to appreciate the jet-setting, but his parents are pretty excited to have another travel buddy this offseason.
“He’s a really good kid, a really sweet kid,” Hunt said. “He’s smart as all get out.”
As Hunt continues to ascend as a player, he’ll have Skye along for the ride. So far, the child’s presence has understandably sparked a pretty big turn in Hunt’s life and career.
And with the way Hunt debuted in Carolina, there stands a good chance that the father-son duo will be celebrating many Pro Bowls over the next several years. More importantly, they’ll be celebrating many other life milestones along the way.
“Obviously, to just be able to do what I’m doing in life, and for him to grow up and see that, is just — I can’t thank God enough,” Hunt said. “Just blessed, honored and grateful to be his pops.”
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
