Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza experienced a moment of exhilaration after the Hoosiers triumphed over Miami, securing a 27-21 victory in the College Football Playoff national championship on Monday night in Miami Gardens, Florida. During a postgame interview with ESPN, Mendoza, known for his polite demeanor, couldn”t contain his excitement and let out a spontaneous exclamation: “Let”s f—ing go!”
This wasn”t the first time an athlete expressed themselves with profanity in a high-stakes moment, but Mendoza”s choice of words stood out. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, who often speaks about his Christian values and typically maintains a composed postgame presence, surprised many with this outburst. He explained to reporters that the emotional release was justified after leading Indiana to a remarkable undefeated 16-0 season and claiming the school”s inaugural football national championship.
“I”d say overall my emotion, it”s the pinnacle peak,” Mendoza reflected. “All season, sometimes I”ve had these cookie-cutter responses and media-trained responses, where it”s been like, “On to the next game, on to the next play.” And now, we did it. We did it. So, at that point, I think it was only fitting to kind of open the floodgates, per se, try to break my stereotype.”
Mendoza”s polished approach during interviews had become a focal point in discussions about college football throughout Indiana”s undefeated regular season and their championship journey. After the Hoosiers captured the Big Ten title by defeating Ohio State on December 6, he animatedly declared, “The Hoosiers are flippin” champs!” during a Fox interview.
Despite some skepticism from a segment of college football fans regarding his enthusiastic persona, his brother, Alberto Mendoza, who is Indiana”s primary backup quarterback and recently entered the transfer portal, affirmed, “People might think it”s fake, but it”s 100 percent him.”
In a championship game highlighted by Mendoza”s impressive 12-yard touchdown run, where he lunged through two Miami defenders, it is hard to argue against the notion that the quarterback earned the right to express his joy. Clearly, he is the flippin” champ.
