Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza<\/strong><\/a> is looking back on going viral with an emotional postgame interview<\/a> after his Big 10 Championship game victory.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was just genuine raw emotion,\u201d Mendoza, 22, admitted to People<\/em><\/a> in an interview published on Friday, December 12. \u201cMaybe it was a little too much.\u201d<\/p>\n Following his Indiana Hoosiers\u2019 victory over Ohio State in the Big 10 championship game on December 6, Mendoza stole the hearts of the internet when he was overcome with emotion on live TV.<\/p>\n Asked how the victory felt, the QB nearly broke down in tears as he said: \u201cIt sounds so beautiful! I want to give all the glory to God. We were never supposed to be in this position but by the great glory of God, the great coaches, the great teammates, and everyone we have around us, we were able to pull this off!\u201d<\/p>\n He then quipped: \u201cWho ever thought the Hoosiers<\/a> would be here? But, now the Hoosiers are flippin\u2019 champs! Let\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n Looking back on that triumphant moment, Mendoza told People<\/em> it was a completely genuine expression of his excitement.<\/p>\n \u201cI was really, really happy for my team, and at the same time I didn\u2019t wanna say anything cliche, you know, like \u2018everything is possible,\u2019\u201d he explained. \u201cSo I just wanted to keep it down and keep it authentic and just give the world my real self.\u201d<\/p>\n Mendoza felt like his sincerity may have taken viewers by surprise since it was \u201cdifferent than a lot of cookie-cutter interviews.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think it caught people off-guard, but you know, I\u2019m excited for people to learn the real me,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Still, Mendoza probably only heard about the incredible reaction to his viral interview second-hand. The Hoosiers quarterback revealed to The Herald Sun<\/em><\/a> in October 2025 that he\u2019d removed nearly all of the social media apps from his phone.<\/p>\n \u201cI deleted all social media. The only social media right now that\u2019s on my phone is LinkedIn and YouTube, to watch videos,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Fernando confirmed that his younger brother Alberto \u2014 who also plays for the Hoosiers \u2014 and \u201csome marking people\u201d handle his Instagram.<\/p>\n \u201cOther than that, I am not on any social media,\u201d he reiterated. \u201cI want to keep everything inside the building. \u2026 There\u2019s a lot of things where I don\u2019t want to go to the outside noise and get the, \u2018Oh, that\u2019s so great,\u2019 and kind of forget about those issues I need to build on. And vice versa. I\u2019m just really trying to keep it in the building.\u201d<\/p>\n He added, \u201cWe have such great coaches. I\u2019m just trying to keep my focus on listening to their advice and their feedback.\u201d<\/p>\n The athlete spoke about his viral fame mere hours before the biggest night of his football career<\/a>, thus far. On Saturday, he won the Heisman Trophy<\/a> over Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love<\/strong>, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia<\/strong><\/a>, and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin<\/strong>. (Mendoza is the first-ever Heisman winner for the Hoosiers.)<\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>
\n Heisman Trophy candidates Jeremiyah Love, Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia and Julian Sayin.<\/span> Adam Hunger\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
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