Fernando Mendoza comes from a proud Cuban American family, and there was a time when the Indiana quarterback was wearing a Miami jersey instead of his now signature Hoosiers red. Fernando is from Miami, and the national championship is a bit of a homecoming for the Indiana quarterback, who grew up rooting for the Canes.
Fernando’s parents Elsa and Fernando Mendoza Sr. have witnessed his rapid rise to become a college football star and potentially the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Another part of the Mendoza family are Fernando’s brothers, Alberto and Max. Like Fernando, Alberto is an Indiana quarterback but serves in a reserve role for the Hoosiers.
Fernando comes from a football family, including his dad Fernando Sr., who was teammates with Miami head coach Mario Cristobal. Fernando Sr. and Mario played together on the offensive line at Columbus High School in Miami, per USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer.
Here’s what you need to know about the Mendoza family.
Fernando Mendoza Made History as the 3rd Heisman Trophy Winner of Hispanic or Latino Heritage
Both sets of Fernando’s grandparents were born and raised in Cuba before eventually moving to the United States. Fernando made history as just the third Heisman Trophy winner to be of Latino or Hispanic descent, per The Athletic’s Christopher Kamrani.
Fernando gave a nod to his Cuban heritage by speaking in Spanish to his grandparents during his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech. The Mendoza family remains connected to their Cuban roots, taking trips to Cuba to see where their grandparents grew up.
“We saw where my grandfather lived and we went to my grandmother’s house,” Fernando’s brother Alberto told ESPN’s Ryan McGee in a January 19, 2026, feature story titled, “CFP National Championship: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza’s Miami roots run deep.” “We saw where they went to school. The church that he went to. It truly made you very sad, because it’s so run down, but you can see how truly beautiful it was and how great Cuba was.
“He told us about the Bay of Pigs. How he had to leave when he was 9. How she had to leave when she was 11. But, like Fernando said to you, when you see it for yourself, you don’t look at yourself the same way. You don’t look at anything the same after your eyes have seen it.”
Some of Fernando Mendoza’s Family Appears To Be Rooting for Miami Against Indiana
Fernando’s dad Fernando Sr. may have a connection to the Miami coach, but the Hoosiers’ quarterback’s father will clearly be rooting for his son to win a national championship. It is not as clear for the entire Mendoza family as some extended family member were spotted wearing Miami gear during a reunion ahead of the national title, per McGee.
Fernando grew up rooting for Miami and going to Canes games. Now, Fernando will be looking to prevent his childhood team from winning their sixth national title.
“I would say the meaning, it means so much to myself and my family, having grown up in Miami, having grown up a University of Miami fan, and basically the whole identity being a Cuban living in Miami,” Fernando said in a January 17, media session.
“Whose grandparents, all four grandparents immigrated from Cuba to Miami, made their way, had the American dream, and I’ve been so thankful to them and thankful to God that I’ve been able to have a good childhood and them raising me by accomplishing the American dream.”
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