Fernando Mendoza learned great values from hsi father.

Fernando Mendoza has been all the rage in college football this season. The Heisman Trophy winner is sure to be taken at the top of the NFL Draft in 2026.

Before that happens, however, he has one more thing to accomplish in college. That is trying to defeat the Miami Hurricanes for the National Championship. Despite his talent, he is not the only one making waves in his family.

While the Indiana quarterback dominated on the field in the playoff semifinals against Oregon, cameras captured a heartwarming moment featuring his father. Following a sensational play by Fernando Mendoza, ESPN’s cameras panned to the stands. They showed his parents celebrating with the rest of their family.

Fernando Mendoza’s Father Celebrates With His Wife In Mind

Fernando Mendoza (Photo By Brad Penner-Imagn Images)
Fans quickly noticed his dad, Fernando Sr., performing a selfless act in the crowd. Mendoza Sr. stayed in his seat to celebrate with his wife, Elsa. His seated celebration was entirely pre-planned due to his wife being in a wheelchair.

It was later revealed that Fernando Mendoza Sr. also remains seated so as not to block his wife’s view. The pair also shared an emotional kiss after watching their son score a touchdown.

Else was unfortunately diagnosed with multiple sclerosis almost twenty years ago. However, she wouldn’t tell her children until 2020 when things began to go ‘downhill.’ In the years since, Fernando and the rest of his family have spread awareness for the condition.

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In a letter to her Indiana QB son for The Players Tribune, she said, ‘I was diagnosed about 18 years ago, but of course you never knew that.

‘You and Alberto [also a QB for Indiana] were so young, and I was doing fine… and mostly I didn’t want you to worry. It just felt like this impossible thing to place on you guys.

‘No amount of years could have prepared me for how hard of a conversation it ended up being. “Your mom has this degenerative disease… and while we don’t know how it will progress, it’s going to start to affect us in a few ways.”

‘You’ve made me feel seen. You’ve always kept that same spark in your eye. No matter what kind of state I’ve been in, or day I’ve been having – you’ve never once looked away. You’ve never once treated me like I’m embarrassing, or deficient, or anything other than someone you love and are standing by.’

A star quarterback can turn a franchise around overnight. A few teams would love to have Mendoza in 2026. The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 pick, so it’s looking close to a lock that he’ll be playing with them next season.