We are in the midst of untrodden territory for the Indiana Hoosiers. While they will be going up against another Big Ten team who has never won a national championship before, the Oregon Ducks have the far better history over Indiana on the college football gridiron. It was not until Curt Cignetti showed up in Bloomington did Indiana football become a power. With Fernando Mendoza, it became a behemoth.
Although Mendoza's illustrious college football career will be coming to an end here soon, he continues to play for something greater than himself. The Cal transfer has become the greatest player in IU football history over the course of one season. The Heisman Trophy winner is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. His family could not be any prouder of him either...
So as the Peach Bowl is underway between the Hoosiers and the Ducks, you may catch in the stands Mendoza's family, and particularly his mother, Elsa. She is the driving force behind his success. Her battle with multiple sclerosis has been well-documented. Even though it restricts her movement, it does not restrict her passion, her positivity, and her enthusiasm for life. Mendoza learned from Mom...
When you have the biggest fan in your corner and the light of your life cheering you on, you can do it!
Fernando Mendoza plays for something bigger than himself at Indiana
Mendoza grew up in Miami. While he initially was committed to Yale, Mendoza went on to play his college football initially for Justin Wilcox at Cal. When his younger brother/backup quarterback Alberto Mendoza first got connected with Cignetti while he was still at James Madison, he quickly followed suit and transferred to his brother's team this past offseason. Everything came up aces!
What drives everyone is different. Yes, Mendoza has the necessary traits to be a franchise quarterback at the next level, but it is his leadership on and off the field that sets him apart. For as much of a curmudgeon as Cignetti can be at times, has Mendoza ever had a bad day in his life? He has dealt with more than his fair share of adversity. He learned how to deal with that from his mother.
No matter if Mendoza's college playing career ends in Atlanta on Friday night, or in his hometown of Miami on MLK Day, regardless of if he is a national champion, we will never forget this season and what Mendoza meant to the sport. Indiana has a chance to do something that was seemingly unheard of three years ago. Reputations are meant to be changed. Records are meant to be broken.
Humility, grace, perseverance, you name it. Mendoza has that in spades and is playing for much more!