The 2025-26 magical team in college football was led by Heisman trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza, who ran away with the Heisman and the national championship. Mendoza guided the Hoosiers to their first No. 1 ranking and the top seed in the 12-team College Football bracket, throwing for 2,980 yards and a national-best 33 touchdown passes while also running for six scores during the season.
Whenever he shares, this year’s Heisman winner starts by thanking God first thing. He remarks that after winning the Heisman, things were special. He gave thanks to his teammates and his brothers, his parents, his coach, Indiana University, and many more.
When he thanked his mother, he got choked up. His mother, with a brilliant smile, burst with joy for her son. She was his reason for overcoming all his challenges.
Fernando Mendoza’s speech after winning the Heisman 👏 pic.twitter.com/l2xvqJzKju
— ESPN (@espn) December 14, 2025
Mendoza who grew up in Miami, won the National Championship in Miami and after the game he gave the campus priests from Indiana a moment.
Fernando Mendoza shares hugs with the priests from campus ministry who made the trip. pic.twitter.com/2hqpygfdg8
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) January 20, 2026
He then went and gave his parents a hug. Bending over to hug his mother, his “why”.
What a moment for the Mendoza family
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) January 20, 2026
You see, his Mami taught him about life and fighting for those he loves. She gets around despite having multiple sclerosis using a wheelchair. She was diagnosed about 18 years ago, and her condition worsened when she contracted COVID-19 in 2020. Mami’s trip to the Hard Rock Stadium wasn’t far and was her easiest yet, but it didn’t stop her from seeing her son win the Big Ten championship in Indianapolis, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, and, of course, the Heisman Trophy in New York.
Mendoza won the game on a key 4th down with the game on the line.
THIS ANGLE OF FERNANDO MENDOZA’S TOUCHDOWN IS ABSOLUTELY BONKERS.
THERE WAS NOTHING THAT WAS GOING TO DENY HIM FROM SCORING.
pic.twitter.com/T0my0S1epq https://t.co/RXGQpql9SF
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) January 20, 2026
Notice after the TD his father doesn’t jump for joy. It’s because he always sits with his wife, who is in a wheelchair. He celebrates with her.
FERNANDO MENDOZA WITH ONE OF THE GREATEST RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS YOU WILL EVER SEE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HISTORY.
HOLY SH*T. THIS KID IS SPECIAL.
😱😱😱
pic.twitter.com/l2C2ZWCzNM— MLFootball (@MLFootball) January 20, 2026
Today, a social media post shows Mendoza behind the scenes when the nation’s cameras are not showing him playing.
Amazing ♥️ 🥺👏
One of the best moments from this past week. You MUST SEE this interaction @IndianaFootball QB Fernando Mendoza had with a fan during an autograph signing in Bloomington. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/cKtidBjHVN
— Andrew Chernoff – WISH-TV (@ADChernoff) January 24, 2026
Mendoza was the number one pick in this year’s NFL draft. He was all class again.
Fernando Mendoza stayed home with his mom to celebrate being selected first overall in the NFL Draft instead of attending the in-person celebration
She has multiple sclerosis, causing her to be in a wheelchair.
This is what matters. Not trophies—family. pic.twitter.com/VfRwe82EmF
— Anna Lulis (@annamlulis) April 24, 2026
This is why Mendoza wasn’t there in person:
And for those who are shitting on Fernando for not being in person at the draft…
take a second to remember his reason why pic.twitter.com/jrk03e4ngL
— National Champion Hoosier Soldier (@DidIndianaW) April 23, 2026
