When Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy as college football's best player back in December, the Indiana University quarterback and devout Catholic wasted no time in thanking God for all that he has been able to accomplish.
"I'm at a loss of words. Wow. I mean, thank you. Thank you to everybody. First, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to chase a dream that once felt a world away. Standing here tonight, holding this bad boy, representing Indiana University. It still doesn't feel real," he said.
He also wasted no time in celebrating with the priests who staff St. Paul Catholic Center, the Catholic parish and Newman Center at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
On Christmas Eve, Mendoza brought the Heisman Trophy to the parish and posed for a picture with the Dominican friars.
“It is always a great joy to share in the successes and accomplishments of the people we serve," Fr. Patrick Hyde, O.P., a Dominican friar and pastor of the St. Paul Catholic Center, told Aleteia.
"It was especially exciting to share the Heisman with Fernando because of how prestigious an award it is.”
Hyde shared a picture on X, saying that a "special visitor" had visited the parish.
"He told us 'This Church and you all are a major reason why this happened.' Praise God for whom all blessings flow," wrote Fr. Hyde.
"God didn't disappoint"
For Hyde, Mendoza's presence on campus and deep faith was an answered prayer.
"When I started at IU, I was encouraged to pray boldly & to create a plan to reach everyone on campus with the Good News and Catholic faith," Fr. Hyde wrote on X.
"For years, I prayed daily for God to help us reach one more student and, someday, the quarterback of the football team. God didn’t disappoint!"
God, said the Dominican, "sent us the quarterback at a time when the Holy Spirit is working incredible graces and conversions on campus. We have seen significant, even exponential, growth across every area of our campus ministry."
"Never be afraid to pray with courage and boldness. God loves to bless us!"
Mendoza and the top-ranked Indiana University play against the University of Alabama in the Rose Bowl on January 1.
