By [Your Name/News Agency Name]
Indianapolis, IN – Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, reflected on the unprecedented viral reaction to his post-game interview following the Big Ten Championship victory. The interview, broadcast live after Indiana’s triumph over Ohio State on December 6th, captured the nation’s attention due to Mendoza’s intensely emotional response.
Speaking with *People* magazine on Friday, December 12th, Mendoza acknowledged the sheer volume of feeling expressed. “It was just genuine raw emotion,” he admitted. “Maybe it was a little too much.”
During the live broadcast, Mendoza shared his joy, attributing the victory to “God, the great coaches, the great teammates, and everyone we have around us.” He quipped, “Who ever thought the Hoosiers would be here? But, now the Hoosiers are flippin’ champs! Let’s go!”
Mendoza explained his desire for an authentic expression, stating, “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.’” He characterized the moment as a deliberate attempt to present his “real self” to viewers.
The athlete revealed that the spontaneous nature of his reaction surprised many. “I think it caught people off-guard, but you know, I’m excited for people to learn the real me,” he added.
Despite the global attention, Mendoza admitted he primarily learned about the reaction second-hand. In an October 2025 interview with *The Herald Sun*, he disclosed that he had significantly reduced his social media presence, limiting his use to LinkedIn and YouTube for video viewing. His younger brother, Alberto, and designated “marking people” manage his Instagram account.
“I deleted all social media. The only social media right now that’s on my phone is LinkedIn and YouTube, to watch videos,” he stated. “I want to keep everything inside the building. … There’s a lot of things where I don’t want to go to the outside noise and get the, ‘Oh, that’s so great,’ and kind of forget about those issues I need to build on. And vice versa. I’m just really trying to keep it in the building.”
Mendoza secured the Heisman Trophy Saturday night, defeating Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. He became the first-ever Heisman winner for the Hoosiers.
Earlier in the week, Mendoza was named the Associated Press Player of the Year. The Hoosiers will face the winners of the Alabama vs. Oklahoma game in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2026.