Fernando Mendoza has grabbed the spotlight as unbeaten Indiana (15-0) prepares to take on Miami (13-2) in Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game. On the way to the Hoosiers’ hope for their first national title, the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric’s No. 2 signal-caller led the school to its first Big Ten title in more than 50 years and a Rose Bowl victory.
Who Are Fernando Mendoza’s Parents?
Mendoza’s father, Fernando Mendoza Sr., is a physician at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami and has a deep athletic background. He was once a teammate of current Miami head coach Mario Cristobal at Columbus High School and later competed in rowing at Brown University.
Mendoza Sr. won a gold medal at the 1987 Junior World Rowing Championships, and his discipline and preparation helped guide his son’s football path.
“He’s always going to be the most prepared kid in the room,” Mendoza Sr. said of the Indiana quarterback.
Mendoza’s mother, Elsa Mendoza, was born and raised in Miami and spent part of her early 20s in Boston. She is a former tennis player at Miami, who successfully balanced athletics and academics, earning two degrees without pursuing a professional sports career. Her competitive spirit had a profound impact on her son’s mindset.
“You’ve always been my biggest fan,” Mendoza said about his mother in his Heisman speech. “You’re my life. You’ve always been my biggest supporter. Your sacrifices, courage, love, my first playbook, my playbook I’m going to carry on my side my entire life.
“You taught me that toughness doesn’t need to be loud. It can be quiet and strong. It’s choosing hope. It’s believing in yourself when the world doesn’t give you much reason to. Together, you and I are rewriting what people think is possible. I love you.”
Elsa was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis nearly 18 years ago, which now requires her to use a wheelchair.
Does Mendoza Have Any Siblings?
Yes, Mendoza has two brothers, including fellow Indiana quarterback Alberto Mendoza. His other brother, Max, is several years younger than the two Hoosiers quarterbacks.
The brothers have used their platform to support research for multiple sclerosis in honor of their mother.
As part of that effort, they organized MS fundraisers through the National MS Society, collecting more than $100,000 by early January.
What To Know About Mendoza’s Cuban Heritage?
All of Mendoza’s grandparents were born and raised in Cuba before eventually immigrating to the United States. The family takes pride in its heritage.
“Yeah, so my grandfather is extremely engulfed in history, our family’s history,” Fernando said in June, per On3. “He always sent us emails, texts. I mean, he’s the best about our family’s history.
“All my grandparents were born and raised in Cuba, three in Havana, one in Santiago, and so I’m extremely grateful for all the hardship that they’ve been through coming over and the whole part of being an immigrant, starting from the ground up and really laying a foundation.”
Mendoza delivered part of his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech in Spanish to honor his grandparents’ sacrifices. He has frequently pointed to his Cuban-American culture and upbringing as key factors in his success.
What Was Mendoza’s High School?
Mendoza attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida, graduating with a 4.86 GPA on a 5.0 scale.
He initially committed to Yale before switching to the University of California, Berkeley, and later transferring to Indiana.
