After Fernando Mendoza captured the 2025 Heisman Trophy, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia voiced his frustrations about the voting process. Pavia, a prominent finalist for the prestigious award, reacted strongly to Mendoza’s win during the ceremony held in New York City.
Diego Pavia’s Reaction to Heisman Voting
In an emotional response, Pavia took to social media, expressing his dissatisfaction with the Heisman voters. He posted a photo with his teammates on Instagram Stories, stating, “F-All the voters,” accompanied by a thumbs-down emoji. Pavia, 23, finished second, receiving 189 first-place votes, significantly behind Mendoza’s 643 votes.
Apology and Respect for Mendoza
Following the initial outburst, Pavia issued a public apology on X, acknowledging the emotional toll of the competition. He remarked on the honor of being a Heisman finalist but admitted his frustrations resulted in disrespectful comments. Pavia emphasized his respect for Mendoza, calling him “an elite competitor and a deserving winner.”
Performance Stats for 2025 Season
Mendoza’s victory came after he led the Indiana Hoosiers to a Big Ten Championship, maintaining an undefeated record, and securing the top seed in the College Football Playoff. His season statistics included:
- Passing Yards: 2,980
- Touchdowns: 33
- Interceptions: 6
- Rushing Touchdowns: 6
- Games Played: 13
Despite critics highlighting his passing yards, Mendoza’s accolades were undeniable. Meanwhile, Pavia excelled in his second season at Vanderbilt after transferring from New Mexico State. His impressive stats included:
- Completion Rate: 71.2%
- Passing Yards: 3,192
- Touchdowns: 27
- Rushing Touchdowns: 9
- Rushing Yards: 826
- Games Played: 12
Pavia’s Future Aspirations
Pavia reflected on his journey, describing the hurdles he faced and his motivation to prove doubters wrong. He looks forward to competing in the upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl, cherishing the support from his family, teammates, and coaches. He stated, “I love them — I am grateful for them, and I wouldn’t want anything to distract from that.”
The Vanderbilt Commodores ended the 2025 season with a remarkable 10-2 record, finishing ranked No. 14 nationally. As Pavia prepares to lead his team in the bowl game, he remains firmly focused on the future while acknowledging the bittersweet nature of this year’s Heisman race.
