ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Diego Pavia, a native of Albuquerque and former New Mexico State star turned Vanderbilt quarterback, sparked controversy after finishing second in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting.
Following Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza’s decisive win—643 first-place votes to Pavia’s 189—Pavia posted on Instagram Story: “F‑All the voters 👍 But… family for life.” Several hours later, a video surfaced of him in New York with a sign reading “F‑*** Indiana,” drawing criticism. By Sunday evening, Pavia issued a public apology on X:
“…I didn’t handle those emotions well… I have much love and respect for the Heisman voters… It was a mistake, and I am sorry… Fernando Mendoza is an elite competitor and a deserving winner…”…