Counting blessings: Fernando Mendoza leads 25 reasons we’re grateful in 2025

When we count our blessings for which we are thankful in 2025 in terms of Latinos in the world of sports, there are many. From Heisman Trophy favorite Fernando Mendoza in football to Hannah Hidalgo in basketball and Mya Perez in softball, many Latinos have given us reason to be proud.

Latinos have stood out across the sports world and inspired fans this year. This Thanksgiving, we are highlighting 25 Latino sports and entertainment blessings for which we are thankful in 2025.

Hoosier fans are surely thankful for Fernando Mendoza, a Cuban American from Miami. The Indiana quarterback emerged as one of college football’s most prolific quarterbacks, earning national recognition as a Maxwell Award finalist, Davey O’Brien Award finalist and Heisman trophy front-runner. 

Here are our Top 25 athletes and stars who gave us reason to be grateful in 2025: 

Fernando Mendoza leads Heisman race

Fernando Mendoza

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a redshirt junior transfer from Cal, created three memorable comeback winning drives that showcased his ability.  The first was against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium with a 20-15 victory. 

The second was at Oregon with a 30-20 victory and each drive under immense pressure. The third was in front of a raucous Penn State crowd where Mendoza led the No. 2 Hoosiers to a thrilling 27–24 comeback-from-behind victory.

Mendoza displayed the leadership and resilience that has defined his first year at Indiana. Mendoza delivered when it mattered most. Through 11 games, Mendoza has thrown for 2,641 yards with 30 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Alejandro Kirk

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk etched his name into baseball history in 2025. He became the first Mexican-born catcher to play in the Fall Classic and the first to homer in the World Series. In Game 5, the two-time All-Star set a new record for postseason hits by a Mexican with 22 career postseason hits, and his 16th in the 2025 postseason. 

Jacob Rodriguez

Jacob Rodriguez, a 6‑foot‑1, 235‑pound redshirt senior from Wichita Falls, with 100 tackles, seven forced fumbles, and four interceptions. A Butkus and Lott Trophy finalist, he’s also a Walter Camp and Bednarik semifinalist.

Rodriguez has embodied his Preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and is emerging as a Heisman candidate as arguably the best defensive player in college football.

Rodriguez may even join Fernando Mendoza as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

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Hannah Hidalgo

Notre Dame junior guard Hannah Hidalgo has been one of the best players in women’s basketball since her freshman year. She was a Wooden Award finalist and the ACC Player of the Year in 2024-2025.

Not surprisingly, she’s the favorite for the 2025-2026 Wooden Award. Hidalgo was Our Esquina’s 2023 Women’s Athlete of the Year is one of the top Latino athletes, men or women, in college sports. She’s must-see TV, and we’re glad this Boricua is shining. 

Karl-Anthony Towns

Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns achieved a career milestone on Nov. 3 against the Washington Wizards. He achieved career totals of 15,000 points with 7,000 rebounds and 2,000 assists. Towns, who guided the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals, became only the sixth player in NBA history to accomplish these totals before turning 30 years old. 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the Toronto Blue Jays to their first World Series appearance in 33 years. He was the American League Championship Series MVP.

Guerrero earned his fifth All-Star berth and then was the face of the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays, who pushed the eventual World Series champion through a thrilling seven-game Fall Classic that is considered by many one of the most exciting World Series in history.

Diego Pavia

Diego Pavia transformed Vanderbilt football in 2025. The Mexican American quarterback turned the Commodores into a legitimate College Football Playoff contender this season.

Pavia has 2,924 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 661 rushing yards. His performances include a 484-yard, five-touchdown win over Kentucky, making him a Heisman candidate. He, Fernando Mendoza and Joey Aguilar form arguably the best trio of Power 4 Latino quarterbacks ever.

KC Concepcion

Concepcion has been pivotal in the Aggies’ run to an undefeated 11-0 record that includes being 7-0 in the SEC. Through 11 games, Concepcion has 52 receptions for 828 yards and nine touchdowns. As the Aggies get ready for Friday’s Lone Star Showdown in Austin.

A win over Texas would secure the Aggies their first SEC Championship Game berth and mark their first 12-0 season since 1992. 

Junior Caminero shows power

Junior Caminero

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero proved to be one of the most exciting young sluggers in the majors this year. The Dominican slugger thrilled the baseball world with a power display during the All-Star Home Run Derby, finishing second.

Caminero, 22, made the most of his first full season in the majors, earning his first All-Star berth. He hit 45 home runs and finished ninth in the American League MVP race. 

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny is arguably the hottest Latino artist at this point. Sports and entertainment stars flocked to join him on stage at his concerts in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic this year.

Fresh off winning five Latin Grammys, including Album of the Year, Benito brings Puerto Rican pride to Super Bowl LX. His performances celebrate heritage, unity, and cultural diversity. 

Taurean York

Texas A&M junior linebacker Taurean York has been a pivotal piece to the No. 3 Aggies’ defense in 2025. He leads the Aggies with 56 tackles (25 solo) , one sack and a pass deflection. York consistently disrupts opposing offenses. His reliability and leadership has been key to the Aggies’ success in their undefeated run.

Fernando Valenzuela 

A little more than a year after the legendary Dodgers left-hander died, Fernando Valenzuela was named to the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Era Committee ballot.

Valenzuela, the greatest Mexican MLB player, has rallied Mexico in death while millions of sports fans celebrated his second chance at earning a spot with the immortals in baseball history.

Aaliyah Chavez makes early mark at Oklahoma

Aaliyah Chavez

It hasn’t taken long for Aaliyah Chavez to show why rated as the top girls basketball player in the Class of 2025. The University of Oklahoma freshman guard has already earned one SEC Freshman of the Week honor.

The 5-foot-10 sharpshooter from Lubbock, Texas, led Monterey High to the 5A Division II title. She averaged 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.7 steals in the 2024-2025 season before picking Oklahoma over every major women’s college power in America.

Joey Aguilar

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar has given the Volunteers and their fans plenty to be thankful for in 2025. As only the fifth Vols quarterback to surpass 3,000 passing yards. Aguilar joined the likes of  Peyton Manning, Erik Ainge, Tyler Bray and Hendon Hooker.

He led the Vols into their first leading Tennessee to its first victory at Florida since 2003, ending a 22-year drought. 

Miguel Rojas

Miguel Rojas, a light-hitting infielder, earned his place in the Los Angeles’ Dodgers rich history. With the Dodgers trailing by one run in the top of the ninth inning in Game 7, Rojas hit one of the most improbable home runs in World Series history.

His home run kept the Dodgers alive, and Will Smith took care of the rest. Generations of Dodgers fans will remember Rojas fondly.

Donovan Mitchell 

Cleveland fans should be thankful for Donovan Mitchell in 2025, as he’s delivering career-highs of 29.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds on 50.3% shooting. Mitchell’s dominant stretch shows his ability to lead and share the spotlight. 

Devin Booker 

Suns fans should be thankful for Devin Booker in 2025 because he’s a steady player that is a driving force for the Suns. Booker is averaging 26.4 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game on 46.9% shooting. In February 2025, Booker became the Suns’ all-time leading scorer. 

Mya Perez slugs her way to Texas A&M history books

Mya Perez

Texas A&M slugger Mya Perez is one of the best Latina athletes in college sports. She embodies the spirit of a scholar and a champion. As if leading the Aggies to the No. 1 ranking at one point wasn’t enough, the first-generation college student was named an Academic All-American to go with her Second-Team All-American honors.

She’s only the fourth Aggie softball player to earn Academic All-American status. The All-SEC First Team selection Texas A&M’s 43-year old single-season RBI record with 73 RBIs. She hit .424, which was the third highest batting average in school history. She posted a .804 slugging percentage, the sixth best in school history.

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. has shown growth this season. The Mexican American guard-forward has been a reliable asset for the Heat.

He’s averaging 16.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists through 19 games.

Chad Baker-Mazara

USC small forward Chad Baker-Mazara is off to a fast start with the Trojans after helping Auburn reach the 2025 Final Four in March.

The 6-foot-7 forward was a Julius Irving Small Forward of the Year Award finalist in 2025 after averaging 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists at Auburn. 

Ronald Acuña Jr. retains All-Star form

Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., the Venezuelan superstar, returned from knee surgery with his fifth All-Star nod. He also played host at the All-Star Game at Truist Park.

Acuña Jr., 27, hit 21 home runs with 42 RBIs over 95 games while proving that he can still be one of the best players in MLB despite two season-ending knee injuries already in his career. 

Andres Muñoz

Mexican fireballer Andres Muñoz, 26, helped the Seattle Mariners reach the American League Championship Series for the first time in 24 years. He earned his second consecutive All-Star bid in 2025.

Muñoz, a 6-foot-2, 222-pounder, had a career-high 38 saves while posting a 3-3 record and 1.73 ERA. 

Carmelo Anthony 

Carmelo Anthony, a Syracuse and New York Knicks legend, made his Latino fans proud while honoring his Puerto Rican roots when he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

During his induction speech,  the 10-time NBA All-Star paid tribute to his late father Carmelo Iriarte, who died when Anthony was young.

Bryce Young

Bryce Young is giving Panthers’ fans a reason to be thankful for in 2025. Through week 12, Young has 215 completions for 2,131 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He had a career-high game in the 30-27 overtime game against the Falcons in week 11.

Young set a franchise record with 448 passing yards, completing 31-of-45 with three touchdowns, no turnovers. He surpassed Cam Newton’s 2011 mark, and he logged his third career 300-yard game. Young tied his career high in TDs. 

Gilberto Mora

Mexico fans should be thankful in 2025 for Gilberto Mora. The 17-year-old Club Tijuana midfielder is the youngest scorer in Liga MX. He also made history as the youngest Mexican player to win an international trophy. Mora was 16 years and 265 days old when he lifted the Concacaf Gold Cup on July 6.