Fernando Mendoza is a weirdly polarizing presence among college football fans. Some love his beaming smiles and senatorial clean speech. For gosh sakes, he celebrated leading Indiana past Ohio State in the Big Ten championship by screaming “The Hoosiers are flippin’ champs!”
Not everyone likes the golly-gee mannerisms of the Heisman Trophy winner, and that’s OK. Especially since those fans might have gotten a more visceral reaction from Mendoza on live TV after his Hoosiers held on to beat Miami in the national championship game.
Mendoza didn’t have his best game, but he certainly came through with big moments. Twice in the fourth quarter, he threw back-shoulder bullets to Charlie Becker to convert on third and fourth down. And he made the signature play of the game with a 12-yard pinballing touchdown run on fourth down that proved to be the winning score.
Shortly after he kneeled out the clock on a 27-21 win, Mendoza was interviewed by ESPN’s Holly Rowe on the field. He talked about the decision to dive for the touchdown, saying, “I had to go airborne. I’d die for my team. Whatever they need me to do, need to me take shots front or back. I’m going to die for my team and that’s what they’d do for me.”
On the podium after being named the game’s offensive MVP, he seemed to get emotional when talking about his teammates. “I love you guys. Great job, let’s … go!” The word that fills in that statement was up for debate.
Mendoza finished the national championship 16 of 27 for 186 yards, a rushing touchdown and potentially one curse word on live TV.
College football fans react to Fernando Mendoza interview
Did he say it? Not everyone was sure. Here’s what some of fans thought on social media:
Does it matter whether Mendoza swore on live TV? Not really. If anything, it would humanize the Heisman winner to some who find his goody-goody persona a little grating. And if he didn’t, we’re sure his mom would be proud of his restraint.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Did Fernando Mendoza drop F-bomb after winning national championship?
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
