Fernando Mendoza has been given a lifelong membership to college football’s most hallowed and selective brotherhood.
The Indiana football quarterback was named the 2025 recipient of the Heisman Trophy on Saturday in New York City. He beat out Vanderbilt and Ohio State quarterbacks Diego Pavia and Julian Sayin, respectively, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love for the annual award that’s given out to the best player in college football.
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Mendoza received 2,392 votes from Heisman Trophy voters, including 643 first-place votes.
REQUIRED READING: Who won the Heisman Trophy in 2025? Voting results, list of award winners
There has not been an Indiana player to have won the Heisman Trophy before Mendoza, making Saturday’s award ceremony inside Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room another “first” that Mendoza has led the program to during his first season in Bloomington.
Heading into the College Football Playoff, Mendoza leads Division I FBS quarterbacks with 33 touchdown passes, two more than Sayin and Baylor and North Texas quarterbacks Sawyer Robertson and Drew Mestemaker, respectively.
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After accepting his Heisman Trophy on stage, Mendoza gave a rather heart-warming and emotional acceptance speech, with several mentions to his family, including his mom Elsa, who is battling multiple sclerosis.
“Mami, this is your trophy as much as it is mine. You’ve always been my biggest fan. You’re my light. You’re my Why. You’re my biggest supporter. Your sacrifice, courage, love those have been my first playbook, and the playbook that I’m gonna carry through my sides through my entire life,” Mendoza said. “You taught me that toughness doesn’t need to be loud. It can be quiet and strong. It’s choosing hope. It’s believing in yourself when the world doesn’t give you much reason to.
“Together, you and I are rewinding what people think is possible. I love you.”
Mendoza also thanked his grandparents in Spanish, saying: “And for my grandparents: Por el amor y sacrificio de mis padres y abuelos, los quiero mucho. De toda mi corazon, de toda gracias.” (For the love and sacrifice of my parents and grandparents, I love you. With all my heart, thank you).
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Fernando Mendoza Heisman Trophy speech
Here’s a look at Mendoza’s Heisman Trophy speech:
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fernando Mendoza Heisman speech: Indiana QB gives touching speech
