Instead, much of the post-ceremony conversation shifted to Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, whose emotional reaction online briefly overshadowed Indiana’s celebration before prompting a public apology less than 24 hours later.
Per Sports Illustrated, shortly after finishing second in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting, Pavia posted an Instagram Story that quickly went viral.
The post featured a photo of him with teammates and a blunt message aimed at the selection process: “F-all the voters 👎 But ….. Family for life.”
The comment sparked immediate backlash and widespread discussion across social media, putting the spotlight on Pavia rather than the newly crowned winner.
The following day, the Commodores quarterback walked back the comment with a lengthy apology posted on X, acknowledging both the moment and the mistake.
“Being a part of the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist was such an honor,” Pavia wrote. “As a competitor, just like in everything I do I wanted to win. To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful. I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to.”
Pavia went on to directly address the voters and the process he had criticized just hours earlier. “I have much love and respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, and I apologize for being disrespectful,” he continued. “It was a mistake, and I am sorry.”
The quarterback also made a point to acknowledge Mendoza and the other finalists by name. “Fernando Mendoza is an elite competitor and a deserving winner of the award,” Pavia wrote. “I have nothing but respect for his accomplishments as well as the success that Jeremiyah [Love] and Julian [Sayin] had this season.”
Pavia’s 2025 campaign was strong in its own right. He completed 71.2 percent of his passes for 3,192 yards and an SEC-leading 27 touchdown throws, while adding 826 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground.
Under his leadership, Vanderbilt reached a milestone season with 10 wins for the first time in program history and earned a return trip to the postseason, where it will face Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.
Still, the Heisman Trophy ultimately went to Mendoza, who delivered a season that reshaped Indiana football. The Hoosiers quarterback threw for 2,980 yards and a national-best 33 touchdown passes with just six interceptions, added six rushing scores, led Indiana to an undefeated regular season, and guided the program to its first Big Ten championship and No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.