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\t\t<\/p>\n Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza<\/strong><\/a> is expected to ball out tonight (January 19) at the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship<\/em><\/strong>, where his team will be playing against the Miami Hurricanes.<\/p>\n While watching, the camera may pan to Fernando<\/strong>\u2018s parents, Elsa <\/strong>and Fernando Sr.<\/strong>, who are often seen in the crowd cheering him on.<\/p>\n Fans have noticed that Elsa <\/strong>is in a wheelchair, and Fernando Sr.<\/strong> always remains seated by her side, even during major touchdown celebrations. Elsa <\/strong>is in a wheelchair due to a condition called Multiple Sclerosis (aka M.S.)<\/p>\n Fernando <\/strong>has spoken about his mom being his best friend amid her battle with the central nervous system disease.<\/p>\n Keep reading to find out more\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAt this point, she has a tough time moving around and stuff like that, but her happiness, her joy and her determination is what inspires me every single day and that\u2019s what pushes me. You know, if I\u2019m in a workout and I\u2019m feeling tired, you know, a little thought in my mind goes, \u2018Maybe you should skip out on this set\u2019 or something like that, I\u2019ll be like, my mom is out here every single day putting a ton of work, a ton of dedication and still with a great attitude, a great positive attitude in everything she does,\u201d he said in a video for Hoosiers Connect<\/a>.<\/p>\n Elsa has spoken about the condition, too.<\/p>\n She wrote for The Players\u2019 Tribune<\/a>, \u201cI was diagnosed about 18 years ago, but of course you never knew that. You and Alberto were so young, and I was doing fine \u2026 and mostly I didn\u2019t want you to worry. It just felt like this impossible thing to place on you guys.\u201d <\/p>\n About her diagnosis, she said that Fernando made things \u201cso much easier\u201d in the \u201csweetest, strongest, most Fernando way possible \u2014 by making me feel the exact opposite of embarrassed\u2026.You\u2019ve made me feel seen.\u201d<\/p>\n The Mendoza <\/strong>brothers have a fundraising page<\/a> for their mom, where you can donate if you have the means.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n