Ilona Maher Reveals Why Fernando Mendoza Is Her Favorite Football Athlete
Speaking on her podcast “House of Maher,” Maher reflected on the party and shared details about her brief but memorable interaction with Mendoza. The young quarterback, fresh off a standout season that included a Heisman Trophy and a national championship, is widely expected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
“I did get to meet Fernando Mendoza,” Maher said. “Oh, a lovely guy. I guess I’d say my favorite athlete is Fernando Mendoza in that sort of area. So lovely, so excited to meet me.”
She went on to explain what set Mendoza apart from other athletes she has encountered.
“Sometimes male athletes will meet me, and they know me, but they try to keep the air kind of cool and chill, like, ‘Yeah, cool, that’s awesome,'” Maher added. “But he was like, ‘Oh, really cool to meet you, I love what you’re doing,’ and talked to me. It was really nice to meet him. He was a great guy.”
Mendoza’s on-field performance has matched his growing reputation off it. He led the Indiana Hoosiers football team to a perfect 16–0 season and its first national championship, defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27–21. In the title game, Mendoza completed 16 of 27 passes for 186 yards, finishing with a 117 passer rating while avoiding turnovers.
Over the course of the season, he threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns against just 6 interceptions. He also added 276 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, finishing No. 2 on PFSN’s College Quarterback Impact Metric (QBi).
Meanwhile, Maher continues to grow her profile beyond rugby. The Olympic medalist represented Team USA at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, helping secure a bronze medal in Paris.
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She has also built a massive following on social media, particularly on TikTok, and expanded her reach through mainstream appearances, including a run to the finale on season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars” alongside partner Alan Bersten.
Her candid personality and willingness to share moments like her Super Bowl encounter have only added to her popularity. While her mix-up with Dart drew laughs, it was her genuine appreciation for Mendoza’s demeanor that stood out, a proof of how even small gestures can leave a lasting impression, even among elite athletes.
