Diego Pavia apologizes for antics after losing Heisman

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia issued an apology Sunday night for his actions after finishing second in the Heisman Trophy race to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Pavia, who led Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season this year, finished a distant second to Mendoza for the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night in New York. 

Several hours later, the SEC Offensive Player of the Year posted an Instagram story declaring, “F-All the Voters.” In another viral video from that night, Pavia was seen on video flashing the middle finger at a hand-held marquee that was flashing the message “(F-word) Indiana.”

Pavia’s antics were roundly criticized on social media on Sunday. The 23-year-old from Albuquerque, N.M., and his family have been no strangers to controversy over the last two seasons. In September, his brothers Roel and Javier Pavia were arrested in Nashville.

Then in November, Javier Pavia was arrested in Knoxville, Tenn., during Vanderbilt’s win over rival Tennessee.

Johnny Manziel comparisons

Diego Pavia has been compared to former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, the controversial 2012 Heisman Trophy winner who has blamed his antics for sabotaging his NFL career. Manziel has been a constant presence at Diego Pavia’s games this season. He has proudly made it clear on social media that he thought Pavia deserved the Heisman. 

“Being a part of the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist was such an honor,” Pavia wrote on the social media platform X. “As a competitor, just like in everything I do I wanted to win. To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful.

“I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to. I have much love and respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, and I apologize for being disrespectful. It was a mistake, and I am sorry.”

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Diego Pavia was left off 215 of the 920 ballots cast this year for the Heisman. He received 189 first-place votes, 352 second-place votes and 164 third-place votes for a total of 1,435 points.

Conversely, Mendoza received 643 first-place votes while receiving votes in all but 35 of the 920 ballots. Mendoza received 191 second-place votes and 51 third-place votes for 2,392 points overall. 

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love finished third with 719 points with 49 first-place votes. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin finished fourth with 432 points and eight first-place votes. Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who wasn’t invited to New York as a finalist, finished fifth. 

Diego Pavia praises Fernando Mendoza

Pavia and the Commodores, who finished No. 14 in the College Football Playoff rankings, will face Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31 in Tampa, Fla.

Being a part of the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist was such an honor. As a competitor, just like in everything I do I wanted to win. To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful. I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the…

— Diego Pavia (@diegopavia02) December 15, 2025

“Fernando Mendoza is an elite competitor and a deserving winner of the award,” Pavia wrote in his post on X. “I have nothing but respect for his accomplishments as well as the success that Jeremiyah and Julian had this season.

“I’ve been doubted my whole life. Every step of my journey I’ve had to break down doors and fight for myself, because I’ve learned that nothing would be handed to me. My family has always been in my corner, and my teammates, coaches and staff have my six. I love them — I am grateful for them. — and I wouldn’t want anything to distract from that. I look forward to competing in front of my family and with my team one more time in the ReliaQuest Bowl.”