Diego Pavia wrote “F-All the voters” after losing to Fernando Mendoza in the Heisman voting.

QBs Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia, Julian Sayin among ...

One of the Heisman Trophy voters has responded to the angry message from Diego Pavia after the Vanderbilt QB finished second in the race.

As expected, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was named the winner of the 2025 Heisman Trophy. After the results were shared, Diego Pavia took to Instagram and wrote, “F-all the voters” with a thumbs down emoji.

Later, Pavia admitted that the message was “a mistake” and apologized. Furthermore, he acknowledged that Mendoza was also deserving of the Heisman.


Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News was one of the writers who submitted a ballot for the Heisman Trophy winner. In a new column, Goodbread wasted no time ripping on the Vanderbilt QB:

“Had this been the 19-year-old Johnny Manziel — a Pavia confidant, by the way — an “F all the voters” post on social media would’ve at least been less surprising, if no less classless. But after six years in college, you’d think Pavia would’ve signed up for at least one course in humility by now.

The kid-blows-off-steam defense also fails to hold up when one considers the dozens of kids who didn’t; decades worth of disappointed Heisman finalists who managed to leave New York City without leaving behind their dignity like Pavia did.”

Goodbread revealed his ballot: Mendoza, Pavia and then Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. He continued his rant by poking fun at Diego Pavia’s NCAA longevity:

“He’s a big boy now. Old enough to have more than one college degree. Old enough to beat the NCAA in court to gain extra eligibility, and old enough to make the pile of NIL money that came with that.

Old enough to know better. And old enough to handle some criticism. It was a punk move, Diego. This voter wasn’t sitting right next to Mendoza Saturday night, but my congrats for him are at least genuine.”

Vanderbilt finished the regular season as the 14th-ranked team, just missing out on the 12-team College Football Playoff. They wrap up their 2025 season against No. 23 Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.

Diego Pavia Knows He Made A Mistake

Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia throws shade at Virginia Tech after upset winDiego Pavia (Photo By Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)
With all due respect to Pavia and Love, there was never any doubt that Mendoza would win this year’s Heisman Trophy. The Hoosiers’ victory over No. 1 Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship only cemented his case.

Mendoza completed 71.5 percent of his pass attempts for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns and six interceptions. Diego Pavia had a 71.2 completion percentage for 3,1,92 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

One can understand Pavia’s frustration and disappointment. But as a player who’s trying to showcase his character and talents to NFL team, there was never an excuse to post that NSFW message on Instagram.

All future Heisman Trophy runner-ups can learn from Pavia’s mistake. And always be classy in victory and defeat.