Fernando Mendoza Heisman speech: Indiana QB gets emotional while thanking mom, teammates, others

Fernando Mendoza Heisman speech: Indiana QB gets emotional while thanking mom, teammates, others originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza took home the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night in New York City. Mendoza finished with 643 first-place votes, beating fellow finalists Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love.

He also became the first player in Indiana school history to win the Heisman, adding to an impressive trophy case this awards season. Prior to the Heisman, Mendoza also won the Davey O’Brien Award, the Maxwell Award, and was named AP Player of the Year.

In his Heisman acceptance speech, Mendoza credited his hometown of Miami, his parents and family, his Christopher Columbus teammates and coaches. He also thanked his Cal coaches, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, and his Hoosier teammates.

Here’s a look at Mendoza’s Heisman acceptance speech from Saturday night.

Fernando Mendoza Heisman speech

In Mendoza's Heisman speech, he talked about his Miami roots, his high school coaches and teammates. He thanked his parents, including his mother Elsa and father Fernando. His mother Elsa is in a wheelchair, who was diagnosed with .Multiple Sclerosis

He also thanked his grandparents, speaking to them in Spanish. His grandparents are immigrants from Cuba, making Mendoza the first Cuban American to win the Heisman Trophy.  

Fernando Mendoza is just grateful 🥹🏆 pic.twitter.com/6QyPbJtWpp

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 14, 2025

Fernando Mendoza Heisman speech transcript

"God, I'm at a loss of words. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to everybody. Thank you to everybody. First, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to chase a dream that once felt the 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, to the Heisman trust voters, legends standing behind me and all who cherish this award and what it stands for. It's a privilege to join this fraternity. You have my deepest respect. I promise to carry the Heisman name with humility, gratitude and with responsibility.

Congrats to all my teammates, my brothers, this is our trophy. I love you guys more than you know.

To my lineman who protected me, every receiver and tight end that bailed me out and made me look good, to every running back who fought for more yards and to our defense that gave us that heart swagger and more second chances than we definitely deserved.

This trophy might have my name on it, but it belongs to all of you. It belongs the first time in Bloomington playing in front of Hoosier nation is one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I'll carry that forever. 

And my lifelong teammate, Alberto, my brother, my closest confidant, the one I trust more to anybody get through a tough day, tough play, tough game. I love you, bro. I love you, and thank you for always giving it to me straight, no matter the circumstance.

Thank you to Coach Dunn and to Christopher Columbus High School for giving me a home, a dream to follow, and, more importantly, a brotherhood adelante.

To my Cal family, thanks for being the first to believe in my future. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for educating me, giving me the foundation that enabled me to grow into the person I am today.

To go to Cignetti, Whitmer, Shanahan, Owens, and every single coach who has guided me along the way, you drove me to a level I didn't even know I had inside of me, from the late night film sessions to the tough conversations and pushing me to be the best Fernando possible. You didn't make me just a better quarterback. You made me a better man.

I tried to line it up here in fourth grade, I was a new kid on the park football team. Didn't know a single teammate, and was fourth on the depth chart. By midseason, I wanted to get out of there. I wanted to quit. My parents said I had to finish what I started. So I learned to embrace my team, and that is when I fell in love with football. By high school, I was chasing the first stages of pipe dream to play in college,. Then COVID hit [and] cut the season short. The result, I was only a two star prospect.

I only had one scholarship offer, but my family's unconditional love and belief kept me going and pushed me forward. These are the people who built me long before football did Mommy, this is your trophy as much as mine. You've always been my biggest fan. You're my light. You're my why. You're my biggest supporter. Your sacrifice is courage, love. Those have been my first playbook, and the playbook that I'm gonna carry through my side through my entire life. 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 rewiring what people think is possible. I love you.

Papi. Thank you for grounding me. Thank you for holding me accountable when it was always tough. It reminded me that talent means nothing without discipline and consistency. While I'm playing a team game, you I'm learning to grow into a man and you partner personified commitment. You picked all of us up whenever we've needed it most.

To my little brother, Max, thank you for bringing joy to me and everyone around you. Your joy is infectious. Love you, bro,

And for my grandparents, but rather Mori, sacrificial. This means a Padre, si abuelos, lo quiero mucho de todo mi corazon de toda la gracias.

This is an important an important one. I want every kid out there who feels overlooked, underestimated to know I was you. I was that kid too. I was in your shoes. The truth is, you don't need the most stars, hype or rankings. You just need discipline, heart and people who believe in you and you need to believe in your own abilities. I hope this moment shows you that chasing your dreams are worth it, no matter how big or impossible they seem.

God bless go Hoosiers. Thank you guys."

Is Fernando Mendoza a senior?

Mendoza is only a redshirt junior at Indiana. He spent his first three seasons from 2022-2024 at Cal, where he threw for 4,712 yards with 30 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2023 and 2024.

He is eligible to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, if he declares after this season. 

When is Indiana's next game?

After winning the Big Ten Championship over Ohio State last weekend, the Hoosiers earned the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

That also gives Indiana a first-round bye, and the Hoosiers will play the winner of Dec. 19th's No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 9 Alabama first-round game. That game will kick off at Jan. 1 at 4 p.m. ET in the Rose Bowl.