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NEED TO KNOW
Fernando Mendoza is the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday, Dec. 13
The Indiana quarterback has had a standout year after entering the transfer portal last season
Mendoza and the Hoosiers are the only undefeated team in college football
Heisman Trophy frontrunner Fernando Mendoza is already a "flippin' champ," even if he doesn't win the honor on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Just one week prior, after Indiana dispatched Ohio State in the Big 10 championship game, the Miami, Florida native put an exclamation point on the team's huge win with his now-viralpostgame interview.
"It was just genuine raw motion," Mendoza, 22, tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview tied to his partnership with Dr Pepper. He then jokes, "Maybe it was a little too much."
The Hoosiers quarterback adds, "I was really, really happy for my team, and at the same time I didn't wanna say anything cliche, you know, like 'everything is possible.' So I just wanted to keep it down and keep it authentic and just give the world my real self."
Mendoza's wholesome interview resonated 'round the world, with its irresistible combination of effusiveness and intensity, where he shouted out his faith — and his teammates for their "process-oriented" mentality.
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"It sounds so beautiful, I wanna give all the glory to God," Mendoza told Fox Sports' Jenny Taft on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday. "I want to give all the glory to God, we were never supposed to be in this position but by the glory of God, the great coaches, great teammates, everyone we have around us, we were able to pull this off. Whoever thought the Hoosiers would be here? But now the Hoosiers are flippin' champs! Let's go!"
Mendoza then elaborated, almost drill sergeant-like, on how his team — the only undefeated program in the nation at 13-0 — has achieved success.
"We're process-oriented," he said. "We're going day-by-day, whether it's the offensive line, the defense, the coaches, special teams, we're all process-oriented to one goal. That's our thing. Because we're brothers, we can drag teams into the deep end because we know we're going to stick together and we're the strongest glue ever."
Looking back, Mendoza says the moment may have provoked such a strong reaction because it was "different than a lot of cookie-cutter interviews."
"I think it caught people off-guard," he tells PEOPLE, "but you know, I'm excited for people to learn the real me."
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After his performance this year, Mendoza — whose four grandparents were born in Cuba — certainly has the country's collective attention.
The former Cal quarterback entered the transfer portal a year ago and landed in Bloomington where he says he was impressed by coach Curt Cignetti — and enticed by the fact that his little brother Alberto Mendoza was also on the team.
Not many quarterbacks can say their sibling is their backup, but for Fernando, it takes on new meaning.
"We're gonna be able to talk about when we're both 60 years old in the rocking chair," he says. "It's gonna be super, it's gonna be great. All this amazing stuff that is happening to us and our team. It's gonna be crazy to talk about 'em later. Some good stories in the future."
But his mom, Elsa, who has multiple sclerosis, is his reason "why."
"It's that unwavering optimism that she gives me that really helps me go through my day," Mendoza shares about his mother. "And she's so special to me. And to see her is such an inspiration to me. I'm so lucky to have someone like that in my life."
On Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl, the Hoosiers are set to play the winner of the first round Oklahoma-Alabama College Football Playoff game.
As for the possibility of winning the Heisman on Saturday, Mendoza remains humble.
"It feels surreal," he says about his chance to nab the honor. "You know, I never thought I'd be here … Like, who would've thought? But you know, it's great, and it's a great honor."
Read the original article onPeople
