A Real Heisman Hero, by Will O’Toole

Mendoza speaking to the media before the national championship game, January 2026
Image: Bobak-HaEri

The  90th Heisman Trophy was awarded to Indiana quarterback over five weeks ago to Fernando Mendoza, but as the nation becomes more familiar with him they are impressed by the Indiana star who earned  643 of the 920 first place votes cast or 69.8%. It really was  no surprise and tonight he takes his Hoosiers to the championship game of college football. Whether he guides the Bloomington school to its first ever national football championship is just icing on the cake.

This kid is a winner through and through – not because of his talents but his class, genteel demeanor, his humility and selflessness. He is the embodiment of what college football fans want in a Heisman winner.

He was gracious and classy in his acceptance of the prestigious award.

Juxtapose that with the comments and demeanor of one of the runner-up in the prestigious award, Vanderbilt’s quarterback sensation Diego Pavia.

Clearly, the voters saw something in Mendoza that  he outdistanced one of his chief competitors   Pavia who finished second garnering 189 votes or 20.5% of the share. Pavia acted immaturely and crass , indeed using profanity in his bitter assessment of the Heisman voters.

The Vandy standout  has since recanted , apologized and asked forgiveness for his momentary lack of civility , manners  and  general whiny behavior.  He is now  contrite and sorry  for those indiscretions. 

Being a part of the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist was such an honor,” Pavia wrote Sunday. “As a competitor, just like in everything I do I wanted to win. To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful. I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to. I have much love and respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, and I apologize for being disrespectful. It was a mistake, and I am sorry. 

He even saluted the winner Mendoza and the other winners invited to New York City for the ceremony:

Fernando Mendoza is an elite competitor and a deserving winner of the award. I have nothing but respect for his accomplishments as well as the success that Jeremiyah and Julian had this season.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/heisman-trophy-diego-pavia-apologizes-vanderbilt/

Even though  most football fans  forgot and forgave him for his statements but anecdotally Pavia in their minds acted like a spoiled brat , angry, lashing out at those he felt took away what was  rightfully his.

But Pavia’s momentary lack of decorum, especially on the big stage,   also reflected poorly on his university that now, through NIL, employs him literally to perform each Autumn  Saturday and represent the school in a positive way.

His misstep, something that  could stain his reputation and arguably  could cost him millions of dollars at the NFL level,  ironically reinforced what the Heisman voters saw in Mendoza:  a poised, bright, energetic , classy, humble well-mannered  leader who put team above individual.

Mendoza had an incredible season leading Indiana to a second appearance in the College Football Playoffs, a Big Ten title, the school’s first since 1945 when it was organized as the Western Conference, an undefeated season (13-0) , and most importantly the Number One perch in all college football at the end of the regular season – all  unprecedented in Hoosiers football history.   Kudos to his coach Curt Cignetti for bringing a traditional basketball school to such lofty heights in college’s real big revenue sport.

It is a season that Indiana students, faculty, alumni and fans will never see again. Yes, they have all their “ducks in order”  for perhaps a sustained  period of winning and competing on the grand stage of college football, but this season is unique for the Bloomington campus. In all their years, Indiana which began to play intercollegiate football  never experienced a year like 2025.

His season in many ways is already  seen as legendary in much the same way fans regard  past winners like Syracuse’s Ernie Davis, Navy’s Roger Staubach, Boston College’s Doug Flutie and  rather recent LSU’s Joe Burrow.

Mendoza’s Heisman was not just about the stats, it was the story behind the numbers which made his season magical – a Hollywood tale.

He was modest not verbose in his acceptance speech thanking his mom in particular for her love, devotion, efforts and hard work to put him in this once in a lifetime opportunity of being  voted the premiere college football player in the land.

He humbly accepted and acknowledged it   was not about him, but the people who made him.

God, I’m at a loss of words. Thank you. Thank you to everybody. First, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to chase a dream that once felt a world away. Standing here tonight, holding this holding this bad boy, representing Indiana University, still doesn’t feel real.

If you told me as a kid in Miami that I’d be here on stage holding this prestigious trophy, I probably would have laughed, cried, like I’m doing now, or both, because this moment, it’s an honor. It’s bigger than me. It’s a product of a family, team, community, and a whole lot of people who believed in me long before anybody knew my name.

He has continued to be thankful and thoughtful about his incredible accomplishments which he attributes to his coaches, teammates, school, parents and most importantly his faith.

Whether the Hollywood story ends in victory or not, Mendoza has blessed college fans with a “good feeling” about  college sports, something that is too often missing in these days of on-line gambling, NIL, transfer portals, academic fraud and other elements which hurt the game.  

WATCH: Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s full Heisman acceptance speech