Alabama’s ‘Pajaro’ David Bird ready to face pal Fernando Mendoza

LOS ANGELES – Alabama long snapper David Bird, who spent two seasons with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at Cal, was running off the field earlier this season when a few fans caught his attention and paid tribute to his Latino heritage.

“Viva Mexico, Pajaro,” the fans shouted, translating Bird’s surname to the Spanish word for bird. 

“It was really cool to see just how you can connect with people,” said Bird, who is indeed a Mexican American from his mother’s side. “That’s my main thing. It’s just cool to see that community.”

Bird’s mother’s maiden name is Fiero. He is one of three Latinos expected to play a pivotal role in the 2026 Rose Bowl between No. 9 Alabama and No. 1 Indiana on Thursday night. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, is Cuban American. Alabama tight end Josh Cuevas is Mexican American.

The trio give the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl a distinct Latino flair.

‘A great guy’

The 6-foot, 205-pound Bird and Mendoza are actually good friends dating back to their time as teammates at Cal the previous two seasons.

“He’s a great guy, one of my good friends,” Mendoza said of Bird. “Having that connection at Cal, now obviously we’re on two different teams and new teams. It’s been great to talk to him throughout this week. However now we got to keep it all game focused, and I haven’t talked to him since. 

“But having a connection with other Latino players I think is obviously very, very important. However, during the season it’s obviously tough. But during the offseason I’m looking forward to connecting with them and building that relationship.”

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Bird is proud to have seen Mendoza shine this season to become the third Latino to win the Heisman Trophy. 

“I definitely text (Mendoza),” Bird said. “Like, ‘Hey, proud of you.’ He’s done a lot of things . He’s a great player, and he’s a good dude. It was just cool to see that. Especially just seeing one of your friends on TV, it is pretty cool.”

Cal transfers

Mendoza and Bird have both starred since transferring from Cal. Mendoza led the Hoosiers past Ohio State in the Big 10 Championship Game. He is the most decorated player in college football this season.

Bird, a junior from Phoenix via New Mexico, has been one of the top long snappers in college football this season. He was named to the Mannelly Award Watch List, which honors the best long snapper in college football. Bird has played in all but one of the Tide’s games this season.

He has handled Alabama’s snaps on short-yardage snapping situations since the middle of the season. Moreover, he has handled the snapping duties since the season opener with the exception of the one game he missed.

Like his good friends Mendoza and Cuevas, Bird appreciates the opportunity to represent fellow Latinos. 

Before moving to Phoenix, Bird spent much of his youth in New Mexico around his mother’s Fiero side of the family. During a brief interview with Our Esquina, Bird mentioned his “Tia Patsy” Fiero often.

“We would always go to las posadas during Christmas time in the neighborhood, have pupusas and all the food and everything,” he says. “When I was younger, I lived in New Mexico, so there was always a family function, always at my tia Patsy’s house, always everybody together, all the time. I think it’s just a big family. That’s really what I think about.”