Fernando Mendoza and his mom Elsa both broke down in tears during an emotional embrace in the moments after Indiana won the national championship on Monday night.
After scoring a dramatic fourth quarter touchdown that secured an unlikely 27-21 victory for the Hoosiers over the Miami Hurricanes, Mendoza ran to find his family among the celebrations.
When he finally did, he bent down to give Elsa a loving hug and tears were visible as the Heisman Trophy winner stood back up.
Mendoza then turned to his father, also named Fernando, and shared another hug as the family enjoyed an outpouring of emotion in the middle of the field. His brother, Alberto, also celebrated the win as Indiana’s backup quarterback.
The family are particularly close and Mendoza has previously called his mom his best friend and ‘inspiration’ because of her open battle with multiple sclerosis.
‘Our mom is our inspiration, our light, and gives us positivity every single day,’ he told the IndyStar.
Fernando Mendoza and his mom Elsa both broke down in tears when they embraced
Mendoza ran to find his family on the field among the celebrations after their win over Miami
Elsa Mendoza is battling MS and her son recently called her his best friend and ‘inspiration’
ESPN’s cameras cut to Mendoza’s parents after their son scored a remarkable touchdown
‘She’s my idol. I know she’s the same for Alberto, as both of our parents are, and seeing her fight and fight every single day gives us no excuse to ever take anything for granted.’
Fans went wild for the Mendoza family on social media, with one commenting: ‘Huge fan of Mendoza and his mom. I have dealt with MS personally for more than half my life. I’ve been incredibly lucky but not everyone is. His mother is a warrior and his family is truly amazing.’
Another added: ‘I’m crying man what the hell. Seeing the Mendoza family got me.’
A third replied: ‘Fernando Mendoza seems like a great kid. He’s so endearing. I’m happy for him and his family.’
‘So happy for Mendoza and his family, what a season for the Hoos’, a fourth said.
A fifth commented: ‘The Mendoza family is the coolest man. Truly what a real family looks like. Awesome kid.’
One ecstatic fan added: ‘I’m genuinely happy for Indiana man. For Mendoza and his family. Great job Indiana.’
Another said: ‘Nothing against Miami, but when you go against a guy like Mendoza it’s hard to root against him. A phenomenal young man, inspiring family story… just happy to see him for his momma too’.
In a letter written to Mendoza on The Players’ Tribune last month, Elsa revealed she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis around 18 years ago. Her battle took a ‘downhill’ turn when she was diagnosed with Covid-19.
She watched the game from the stands alongside husband Fernando in a wheelchair and ESPN’s cameras continued to cut to the family in the stands as they went wild in celebration.
After Mendoza’s remarkable fourth quarter touchdown, the entire family went crazy as their son edged closer to history.
The camera also showed them celebrating Beck’s interception that sealed the victory for Mendoza and Curt Cignetti’s team.
Now she will prepare to watch her son get drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.
Tom Brady was in attendance on Monday night to watch Mendoza with his Las Vegas Raiders in pole position to get him as they control the first pick in the draft.
