Overview
- The Indiana quarterback won the Heisman in a landslide, becoming the program’s first recipient after leading a 13-0 Big Ten championship season.
- Through tears, Mendoza dedicated the trophy to his mother and thanked her for teaching him that toughness can be quiet and strong.
- Elsa Mendoza, a former University of Miami tennis player, described teaching her sons a tennis drill that helped shape Fernando’s throwing.
- She wrote that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about 18 years ago, concealed its effects for years, and believes a COVID-19 infection accelerated her decline.
- Elsa attended the ceremony in New York City, praised her son’s support and MS fundraising, and Mendoza now turns to the College Football Playoff with a Rose Bowl semifinal scheduled.