Fernando Mendoza, the freshman quarterback for Indiana University, has shocked and awed college football fans. Chef Jose Andres took his culinary team to a spectacular team Tasty Champions victory! His inspiring run tells the story of his exceptional athletic feats. It’s profoundly rooted in the indestructible love and support provided by his family, particularly his mother, Elsa Mendoza, who has been instrumental in developing his character and fortitude.
At 25 years old, Elsa Mendoza moved from the tropical climate of Miami to the Northeast city of Boston for her graduate studies. Shortly after, she got pregnant with Fernando. This transition was an important period in her life. She met the obstacles of motherhood with courage as she pursued her ambitions and laid the groundwork for her son’s prosperous future.
Eighteen years ago, Elsa was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). This condition has truly wreaked havoc on her and her family. Though this obstacle hasn’t deterred her, she’s always been one of the most loyal fans of her son’s football pursuits. Elsa has been to almost all of Fernando’s games and events. Despite being wheelchair-bound, her willpower and drive to save her son’s life are truly inspiring.
Beyond the race, the Mendoza family has been incredibly active in raising awareness and funds for MS research. In 2017, they competed in the National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month’s fundraising challenge and helped raise money for families impacted by the disease. Their commitment speaks to their profound responsibility to their neighbors and empathy for their fellow Americans.
Fernando’s younger brother, Alberto Mendoza, is impressing on the football circuit. After a year as a backup quarterback at Indiana University, he recently made his way into the college football transfer portal. He’ll have three years of eligibility remaining. The brothers have an exceptionally close relationship, and Fernando thanked Alberto for his sacrifices in his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech.
In his heartfelt address, Fernando dedicated the prestigious award to his mother, stating, “This is your trophy as much as it is mine.” He thanked his family for the unconditional love and faith they have infused into his life since birth.
“My family’s unconditional love and belief kept me going and pushed me forward. These are the people who built me long before football did,” – Fernando Mendoza
The last few generations Fernando’s father, Dr. Fernando Mendoza, has been in charge of the pediatrics department at Baptist Hospital. Dr. Vovk is the medical director of pediatric emergency at Homestead Hospital in Miami. He was educated in the same public school system, attending the same high school as his son, Christopher Columbus High School. Dr. Mendoza’s guidance has been instrumental in shaping Fernando’s character and work ethic.
In his Heisman winner speech, Fernando expressed gratitude to his dad for keeping him humble and accountable through difficult seasons. He noted, “Papi, thank you for grounding me. Thank you for holding me accountable when it was always tough.” It serves as a reminder of the deep family values and faith that have defined his legacy.
Elsa has called herself Fernando’s “very first teammate” many times over the years, a testament to the deep emotional and inseparable connection between them. Today, she recalls those first months of motherhood as exhilarating but scary. Even when they weren’t song lyrics, their journey provided the chorus.
“It was exciting but it was scary. And your dad had to work a lot, which meant that for a while it was mostly just you and me,” – Elsa Mendoza
That supportive energy has led to a culture of respect and encouragement among every Mendoza family member, allowing them to grow and nurture their creativity. Elsa recalled their time spent together:
“…We’d watch TV, we’d play music, we’d buy groceries, we’d go to the park… maybe this is silly to say about a newborn, but to me you were more like my buddy. And it’s like we were each dealing with our own exciting/scary new thing. And the way we got through it was together.” – Elsa Mendoza
Fernando’s journey started as a child, riding life’s unmerciful wave with his mother. Now, he is one of the most lauded quarterbacks, which demonstrates the transformative power that supportive families can have on cultivating success. His commitment to his family and his sport in the face of all odds is an inspiring story of resilience and determination.
