Wholesome Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza stunned fans with an uncharacteristic expletive in yet another of his iconic postgame speeches.
The quarterback inspired the Indiana Hoosiers to their first-ever National Championship win with a touchdown in a nerve-shredding 27-21 triumph over Miami on Monday night.
And afterwards, in typical Mendoza fashion, the Hoosiers signal caller delivered yet another rousing and emotional speech in his postgame interview, declaring that he would die for his teammates.
However, the emotion of the occasion appeared to add an extra punch to Mendoza’s stirring oration when he let a declaration of ‘let’s f***ing go’ slip while speaking on the podium.
‘This is a great group of guys. I love you guys. Let’s f***ing go!’ he screamed during his postgame interview with Rece Davis.
The phrase became a signature rallying cry for Tom Brady during his legendary NFL career, and the former quarterback was watching on closely from the sidelines.
Fernando Mendoza delivered yet another rousing speech after Indiana’s title win
The quarterback inspired the Indiana Hoosiers to its first-ever National Championship win
The Las Vegas Raiders, whom Brady has a minority stake in, are expected to select Mendoza with the first overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.
In front of Brady and Donald Trump, Mendoza cemented his status as the best quarterback in college football with an incredible piece of individual play to take the game away from the Hurricanes in the fourth quarter.
The projected No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL Draft and reigning Heisman Trophy winner bulldozed his way into the end zone from 12 yards on a dramatic fourth down.
Miami still had a chance to stage a dramatic comeback but quarterback Carson Beck threw an interception with 44 seconds left in the game, sparking wild scenes among Indiana’s players, coaches and fans.
And in the aftermath of the celebrations, Mendoza unleashed another viral and spirited postgame interview – the last of his college career.
‘That’s one thing about our team,’ Mendoza had earlier told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game. ‘We’re always going to put it all on the line. I want to give all the glory and thanks to God. My offensive linemen blocked perfectly and we were able to execute as a team toward a common goal. Have the Indiana Hoosier synergy to score and to give our team a chance to win the game.
‘I had to go airborne. I’d die for my team. Whatever they need me to do. They need me to take shots in the front or the back, whatever it is, I’m gonna die for my team out there and I know they’re going to do the same for me. That’s what makes us so close. That’s what makes the national championship so special.’
The championship win was the crowning moment of a remarkable rise for Mendoza and the Hoosiers this season with Indiana becoming the first team in college football history to finish 16-0 since Yale did it in 1894.
The Heisman Trophy winner bulldozed himself into the end zone for a remarkable touchdown
Tom Brady watched on his Las Vegas Raiders prepare to draft Mendoza with the No. 1 pick
After an undefeated regular season, Mendoza became the first Indiana Hoosier to ever win the Heisman. He also became the first Cuban-American to win the award.
Mendoza, who transferred to Indiana from Cal, won three other ‘Player of the Year’ awards in 2025: the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award and the AP College Football Player of the Year award.
Yet, despite his many achievements, Mendoza has also built a reputation for his viral postgame speeches.
He also went viral for the interview he gave after leading Indiana Hoosiers to a crushing 38-3 win over Alabama.
‘First of all, my team and I want to give all the glory to God,’ Mendoza said when asked about how special the Hoosiers are.
‘What a historic venue, the Rose Bowl. One of the best venues in all sports. It’s just a great conglomerate of individuals coming together and really forming complimentary football.
‘Coach Cig (Curt Cignetti) has hit on us “no complacency” and especially when you have a bye it is tough to get into the rhythm of football but once we got our feet on the ground we knew we were going to stick together and get this W.’
Meanwhile, his Heisman acceptance speech was hailed as one of the greatest ever as the signal caller choked up while thanking his family after beating out Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love to the award.
