Fernando Mendoza’s story is a true love letter to his mom, Elsa

If you followed the 2025 college football season even a little, especially Indiana’s unbelievable run, chances are Fernando Mendoza’s name made you smile. The Hoosiers’ quarterback led his team to a perfect 13–0 season, a Big Ten Championship, and then capped it all off by becoming the 91st winner of the Heisman Trophy, the first in Indiana’s history.

Huge achievement, no doubt. But the part of his story that really sticks with you has nothing to do with trophies or stats. It’s about the quiet strength standing behind him: his mom.From the outside, Fernando’s rise looks like a classic sports movie plot. A kid who wasn’t heavily hyped out of high school suddenly becomes one of the biggest names in college football. He wins games, wins hearts, and wins the Heisman. But behind every sharp throw and clutch moment is something deeper than talent or training.

At the heart of it all is his mom, Elsa Mendoza, and the steady influence she’s had on who he is today — on and off the field.Here are a few things he said about his mom in his speech that will make it difficult for you to hold your tears:"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."“Mommy, this trophy is yours 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 sacrifices, courage, and love have been my first playbook and the playbook I carry by my side my entire life.""You tell me 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."“She's my idol. I know she's the same for Alberto, as both of our parents are, and seeing her fight and fight every single day gives us no excuse to ever take anything for granted.”"Together, you and I, are defying what people think is possible. I love you."

About Fernando’s mom, Elsa

Elsa Mendoza isn’t just known as Fernando Mendoza’s mom. She’s known for her quiet strength and the way she keeps showing up, even when life makes it really hard.In 2014, Elsa was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a condition that affects the nervous system and slowly changes how the body moves and functions. It’s not something you “push through” and forget about.

MS is unpredictable. Some days are manageable. Others aren’t. Over the years, it’s affected Elsa’s mobility, and now she often uses a wheelchair. Fernando has spoken many times about how watching his mom live with MS shaped him. He’s seen her deal with pain, exhaustion, and frustration without complaining. No drama. No spotlight. Just resilience. He’s said she taught him what real toughness looks like. Not loud. Not aggressive.

Just steady and honest.What makes Elsa’s story even more powerful is that she never made her illness the center of Fernando’s life. She focused on encouragement, discipline, and love. And today, as Fernando stands on some of football’s biggest stages, it’s clear that a huge part of his strength comes straight from her.