Fernando Mendoza’s Indiana Hoosiers have had a complete turnaround in the last two years. In the 2023-24 season, they sat at the bottom of the table with just one win in the conference and three wins overall.
The following year, there was an improvement, but they still didn’t perform at their full potential. Since the addition of Mendoza, the Hoosiers have become unbeatable and are now competing for the national title.
While improvements have been made across every position, Mendoza has been the anchor of their success this season. The quarterback won numerous awards in 2025, including the coveted Heisman Trophy for his incredible run.
Mendoza credits his parents for his success. He has stated that his mother, Elsa Mendoza, is the one who inspires him every day to do great things. Elsa suffers from an autoimmune disease called Multiple Sclerosis. She was diagnosed with MS 18 years ago.
MS attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers. People with MS are always at risk of permanently damaging their nerve fibers. This is caused by a disruption of communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
This disease affects nearly 3 million people in the world, and, unfortunately, there’s no cure for it yet. Understanding the impact that MS has on people and their families, Elsa and Mendoza have been working toward raising awareness for the disease.
They’ve done fundraisers to raise money for MS research, and the quarterback has also teamed up with the National MS Society. Despite her hardships, Elsa has been very supportive of Mendoza’s football career.
The Indiana star has said that Elsa is his inspiration in life, and he learns how to be tough by seeing her go through this difficult journey.
Fernando Mendoza’s Emotional Acceptance Speech
In December last year, Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy, and the official ceremony was attended by some of the biggest names in football. His mother, Elsa, was also in attendance to watch her son make history.
During his speech, Mendoza dedicated the trophy to her. Struggling to hold back his emotions, he said that he deeply values all the sacrifices she has made to help his football career.
“You’ve always been my biggest fan. You’re my life. You’re my why. You’ve always been my biggest supporter. Your sacrifices, courage, love, my first playbook, my playbook I’m going to carry through my side 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 rewriting what people think is possible. I love you.”
Mendoza is just hours away from the final game of the season with the national title on the line. If the Hoosiers defeat the Hurricanes, he will finish one of the best seasons seen in college football in recent years.
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