Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia did not win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, with Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza taking home the honor.
In the hours after the ceremony, Pavia did not handle losing well. In a social media post, Pavia, in a picture surrounded by friends, wrote, “F*** All the Voters.” But on Sunday, he shared a different message.
Diego Pavia Voices Regret Over Actions After Heisman Ceremony
Pavia went to X on Sunday night and posted a very lengthy statement.
“Being a part of the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist was such an honor,” Pavia wrote. “As a competitor, just like in everything I do I wanted to win. To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful.
Being a part of the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist was such an honor. As a competitor, just like in everything I do I wanted to win. To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful. I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the…
— Diego Pavia (@diegopavia02) December 15, 2025
“I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to,” he continued. “I have much love and respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, and I apologize for being disrespectful. It was a mistake, and I am sorry.”
Several believed Pavia deserved the award, including PFSN Deputy Editor Oliver Hodgkinson. “Outstanding performance that best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity,” Hodgkinson on X. “Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.”
“Outstanding performance that best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.”
These words are the remit of the Heisman Trophy Trust when they seek to establish the winner of the most… pic.twitter.com/hclKbVb5HY
— PFSN College (@PFSNcollege) December 14, 2025
According to the final Heisman Trophy voting, Mendoza received 2,362 points, including 643 first-place votes. Pavia finished second with 1,435 points; Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love was third with 719 points, and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin was fourth with 432 points.
Pavia, according to the PFSN CFB QB Impact metric, has an impact score of 94.8 and grades out as an A. This season, he has thrown for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Vanderbilt, led by head coach Clark Lea, will face the Iowa Hawkeyes in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Pavia likely looks forward to getting back on the field and proving his doubters wrong.
