© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza has not been shy about speaking about his faith during his college football championship run.
After winning the Heisman, Mendoza stunned local priests when he brought the trophy to the St. Paul Center at Indiana University, which specializes in Catholic biblical research.
“On Christmas Eve, he reached out and said, ‘Do you mind if I could bring the trophy by? Would it be something you guys would like in the next hour?’ So it was so quiet—there is nothing going on—and he came over. We walked out, and there in an Amazon box was the Heisman Trophy. And it was just so surreal because it was normal sharing the joy and glory of an accomplishment of one of our people, but then also being able to hold the Heisman Trophy—I mean, whoa.”
“We walked out and there, in an Amazon box, there was the Heisman Trophy”
The special gesture from @IndianaFootball QB Fernando Mendoza on Christmas Eve. 🙏
The story coming up on @WISHNews8 📺 pic.twitter.com/zdmEmUURZX
— Andrew Chernoff – WISH-TV (@ADChernoff) December 30, 2025
During his media day press conference, Mendoza explained his decision to bring the Heisman to local Catholic priests after winning the award.
“They’ve always provided mass. I’m a Catholic. I’m a Catholic man, and they’ve done so much to help me, whether it’s confession or just being able to talk or mass every Sunday. I really gave a lot that I have accomplished in this season and my life to the Lord. I really give thanks to God. For example, the Heisman, first thing I said in my Heisman speech is give all glory to God. Thank you so much to God. I would say my family is a very Catholic family and to have them as role models and see how they always circle back to their faith and how much God and Jesus has done in their lives and mine, especially this season.”
“I am a Catholic. I am a Catholic man.”
— Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza on why he took his trophy to the priests at the St. Paul Center at his university pic.twitter.com/TEHd9YDDIa
— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) January 19, 2026
College football fans praised Mendoza for openly talking about his faith with the media.
As a fellow Catholic, it’s hard not to root for Mendoza. Even if he beat my Buckeyes. https://t.co/eu4xxdQJkS
— Nick (@NMaze24) January 19, 2026