Faith Role Model Fernando Mendoza
Mendoza exudes wholesomeness and humility. In addition to his athletic prowess, the QB is bright and prioritizes his faith and family. This year, Mendoza was teammates with younger brother Alberto, a backup QB for the Hoosiers.
Fernando Mendoza also finds time to raise money for MS research, to honor his mother. When he was tearful about his post-high-school football outlook, mom Elsa assured him that things would pan out.
Mendoza played for two seasons at the University of California, where he earned a business degree in three years. Then he transferred to Indiana for his remaining year of eligibility. This season with the Hoosiers, he thrown for 41 touchdowns and more than 3,500 yards.
Stats and trophies aren’t what impress Father Hyde about his famous parishioner, though. “[Mendoza is] inspiring young people to make their faith a normal part of their life,” Hyde told First Things.
“When I was growing up, being outwardly religious was a threat to your popularity,” Hyde continued. “For young people to see someone with his popularity being outspoken about it, so can they. The authenticity of his faith and his gratitude are really remarkable.”
Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti, whose stoic glare contrasts with his QB’s high-watt smile, has praised Mendoza for uniting the team. “This team here is extremely close,” Cignetti said. “[Mendoza] was the glue sealing the open edges and cracks, probably to a degree I had never seen before.”
After years of football losses at Indiana, Father Patrick Hyde described this season as “one kind of catharsis after another, a total renewal of school spirit.” Defeating Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 “was a resurrection moment,” the priest explained.
Although faith always tops football, God is using faithful college athletes to point people to him. Church leaders can learn valuable lessons from Mendoza and other Gen Z Christians. Authentic relationships, spiritual investment, and genuine community can shape a person’s entire trajectory. Great victories happen not just on the field but in the hearts of young people who find a spiritual home away from home.
