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Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia didn’t take losing the Heisman Trophy to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza too well, but he’s now apologized for his actions.
After getting criticized for his reaction to the Heisman loss, Pavia posted a lengthy statement of regret on social media.
“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. I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to. 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.
“Fernando Mendoza is an elite competitor and a deserving winner of the award. I have nothing but respect for his accomplishments as well as the success that Jeremiyah [Love] and Julian [Sayin] had this season.”
Within the hours after Mendoza was named the Heisman winner, Pavia reshared a put up made by comic Theo Von to his Instagram story and wrote “F-ALL THE VOTERS BUT ….. FAMILY FOR LIFE” with a thumbs down emoji. A video on social media additionally emerged of Pavia giving the center finger to an indication that learn “F— Indiana” whereas at a New York Metropolis membership.
Pavia completed second to Mendoza within the Heisman vote, receiving 189 first-place votes to Mendoza’s 643. In complete, Pavia acquired 1,435 factors, dropping to Mendoza by practically 1,000 factors (2,362).
Mendoza gained the Heisman after taking Indiana to new heights in his first season with this system. Indiana went 13-0 and gained the Large Ten Championship for the primary time in 58 years, incomes the No. 1 total seed for the School Soccer Playoff.
However Pavia additionally took a program not recognized for a lot success on the gridiron to new heights in 2025. He led Vanderbilt to a 10-2 report because it practically made the School Soccer Playoff, getting ranked 14th within the last ballot. Pavia threw for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions to go together with 826 speeding yards and 9 speeding scores.
Pavia will play in Vanderbilt’s bowl recreation when it takes on No. 23 Iowa within the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.
“I’ve been doubted my entire life. Each step of my journey I’ve needed to break down doorways and struggle for myself, as a result of I’ve realized that nothing can be handed to me,” Pavia wrote. “My household has at all times been in my nook, and my teammates, coaches and workers have my six. I really like them — I’m grateful for them. — and I wouldn’t need something to distract from that. I sit up for competing in entrance of my household and with my staff yet one more time within the ReliaQuest Bowl.”
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