Mendoza has been outspoken about his special relationship with his family

 

 

 

FERNANDO Mendoza’s dad has gone viral for his selfless acts while watching games.

The Indiana Hoosiers quarterback is tearing through the College Football Playoff, and his parents have been celebrating in the stands.

 
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Fernando Mendoza’s parents take in the College Football Playoff semifinal

 
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 09 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Indiana vs Oregon
Mendoza celebrates with teammates after winning the Peach Bowl

 

 

 

Indiana demolished the Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl, with Mendoza passing for five touchdowns in the game.

That left his father with plenty to celebrate, but he stayed seated during every one of them.

Mendoza’s father doesn’t jump for joy to celebrate like many other fans, but remains seated next to his wife as she is wheelchair bound.

 

 

 

He stays seated next to her as not to block her view and so he can share the moments with her.

Mendoza’s mother, Elsa, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 18 years ago.

Her son is now an advocate for the condition ad has raised over $100,000 for charity as he nears the end of his college football career.

 

 

 

Elsa penned a letter to Mendoza in The Players Tribune explaining the condition and her diagnosis.

“I was diagnosed about 18 years ago, but of course you never knew that,” she wrote.

“You and Alberto [Mendoza’s younger brother] were so young, and I was doing fine… and mostly I didn’t want you to worry. It just felt like this impossible thing to place on you guys.

 

 

 

“No amount of years could have prepared me for how hard of a conversation it ended up being. ‘Your mom has this degenerative disease… and while we don’t know how it will progress, it’s going to start to affect us in a few ways.’

“You’ve made me feel seen. You’ve always kept that same spark in your eye. No matter what kind of state I’ve been in, or day I’ve been having – you’ve never once looked away.

 

 

 

“You’ve never once treated me like I’m embarrassing, or deficient, or anything other than someone you love and are standing by.”

Mendoza will compete in the college football national championship next week against the Miami Hurricanes.

After that, he is favored to be drafted at No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft.