Quarterback Fernando Mendoza just won the National Championship, and an old video about his dedication immediately went viral. The 22-year-old Heisman winner led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first College Football Playoff National Championship ever, beating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19.
According to Talksport, the resurfaced clip shows Mendoza from his time at Cal, explaining the sacrifices he made to reach the NFL. He talked about why he chose not to have a girlfriend during his college career. Mendoza said he had to “limit all distractions.” He lived just three minutes away from the weight room, practice facility, and stadium, and wanted to use every minute of his day wisely.
He explained the time trade-off in detail. If class ended at 6:00 PM, having a girlfriend would mean different choices. “If I have a girlfriend, I’m gonna give her my all,” he said. “That means I’m gonna go back from six to nine, just go hang out with her and maybe get dinner or something rather than maybe picking up dinner on the way back to class and watching extra film for the game week.”
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Mendoza’s commitment to football means every minute counts
Mendoza believed the sacrifice would pay off. He knew it was temporary, and if he had a “really really good next year, next two years,” he could make the NFL. He told the camera, “I believe I will make the NFL.” His focus mirrors the dedication seen in other athletes, though some face different challenges, like Travis Kelce balancing his postseason decisions.
His college career ended with a perfect 16-0 season. Mendoza is now projected to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL Draft. Fans quickly noticed the irony. Given Mendoza’s strict approach to avoiding distractions, Las Vegas seemed like the worst possible destination. The city is known for its temptations, and people joked about sending him to Sin City.
One fan joked, “Sending him to Vegas might be the biggest mistake 😂.” Another called him “The most un-Vegas in-Raider you can think of.” One supporter praised his choices, saying, “This kid is well raised and he is watching the others players having issues with women baby daddy, courts, divorces, domestic violence. Who want at that edge that kind of problem when you know you have your goals in mind.”
Someone even imagined a perfect ending: “If I was writing a Hallmark ending to the inevitable movie, Fernando would hire a professional matchmaker who would find him some lovely, brilliant nerd who’s never heard of him because she’s so busy with her PHD. They meet and fall in love all while he keeps his real identity a secret. She’s slightly miffed when she finds out the truth but then they live happily ever after and he’s completely confident that she loves him for him.”
Mendoza transferred to Indiana after two seasons at Cal, where coach Curt Cignetti helped him become a top player. During the undefeated 2025 season, he completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards with 41 touchdowns and only six interceptions.
He also rushed for 276 yards and seven touchdowns. The Raiders have minority owner Tom Brady involved in decisions, so Mendoza will need to impress him for the No. 1 spot. While Mendoza stays focused on his goals, other pro athletes are dealing with team struggles, including Giannis Antetokounmpo’s blunt criticism of teammates.
Published: Jan 23, 2026 02:15 pm