On Christmas Eve, Dominican Father Patrick Hyde received an offer from a hearty Indiana University student that was tough to turn down. Just about an hour later, that student — Indiana’s star quarterback, Fernando Mendoza — arrived bearing a truly unique gift: the Heisman Trophy.  

“What a generous gift,” Father Hyde remarked to WISH-TV in Indianapolis. “We don’t always get to share the glories of other people because we prepare them and send them out. But to be a little part of his [Fernando’s] success, and for him to go out of his way, was a great gift for us priests.”   

The first Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana University, Fernando Mendoza is in the midst of architecting the most successful season in school history. At 14-0, the Hoosiers are ranked No. 1 in the country and fresh off beating No. 9 Alabama, 38-3, in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Behind Mendoza’s lead, Indiana is seemingly untouchable on the gridiron. However, the most prevailing quality of the quarterback is his Catholic faith, which he is outspoken about. After big wins on national television, Mendoza is usually quick to thank God for both individual and team successes. 

“The opportunity Fernando has had to share his faith in simple ways through his platform has been a blessing,” Father Hyde told the Register. “He is just another person at Mass praying with everybody else. That steadfastness has been his witness to our community here at Indiana.”  

Mendoza’s strong faith brought him to Indiana last spring after graduating from the University of California-Berkeley, where he was a two-year starter on the football team. His commitment to Indiana was considered an under-the-radar recruit for head coach Curt Cignetti, who saw something in Mendoza that was too valuable to pass up. Mendoza is an alchemy of quiet confidence, servant leadership, and an unshakable faith that has sustained him since his childhood years in Miami.  

Father Hyde’s friendship with the humble quarterback dates to earlier this fall, when he took time out of a postgame celebration to talk with Father Hyde’s 7-year-old nephew. After seeing the way Mendoza interacts with the Indiana community and noticing him at Sunday Mass without fail, Father Hyde decided to publicly champion Mendoza’s commitment to evangelize.  

“I have wrestled with sharing this because he shows up out of love of God, not human praise,” Father Hyde wrote in an X post sharing a video of an on-field interview with Mendoza and Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. “But I share because I hope his witness inspires others to go to Mass.” 

Mendoza’s faith was on full display during the presentation of the Heisman Trophy, which was televised on ABC on Dec. 13. In addition to thanking God for allowing him to chase his football dreams, Mendoza deflected praise to his mother, Elsa, who has endured a long battle with multiple sclerosis. The quarterback says his mother is his “inspiration.”  

“Mami, this is your trophy as much as it is mine,” Mendoza said in his acceptance speech while overcome with emotion. “You tell me toughness doesn’t need to be loud; it can be quiet and strong; it’s choosing hope; it’s believing in yourself when the world doesn’t give you much reason to.”  

Mendoza shared the glory of his achievement with the rest of the family, too. His brothers, Alberto and Max, the former is a redshirt freshman quarterback at Indiana; his father, Fernando Sr.; and his grandparents, who are Cuban immigrants. The Mendoza family story is a modern-day reminder of the importance of the family, especially in light of the Feast of the Holy Family on Dec. 28. 

Back in Bloomington, Mendoza is doing his part to help deepen a fast-growing faith culture. He and a group of teammates pray the Rosary together before traveling for away games. His humble presence has resonated with the Catholic community on campus and even inspired a watch party at the Newman Center during the Heisman Trophy show. 

“When you’re 6-foot-5 at Mass, you’re going to be seen,” Father Hyde joked.  

Since 2016, when Father Hyde arrived at IU, a spiritual transformation has taken place on campus that is symbolic of a nationwide trend. The Catholic nonprofit, Newman Ministry, that operates on about 250 campuses nationwide, has collected data from Catholic college ministry leaders throughout the country this year, and every one reported seeing "bigger crowds" at Masses and lots of people “they’ve never seen before.”

At Indiana, Father Hyde is almost at a loss for words at this surreal intersection of faith and football.  

Winning the Big 10 Championship over then-No. 1 Ohio State last month in Indianapolis was another dream come true. After the game, and at the invitation of the Indiana coaching staff, Father Hyde was accompanied by his fellow Dominican priest and associate pastor at St. Paul Catholic Center, Dominican Father Ben Keller, for the on-field celebration.  

There was a lot happening in that moment, but Father Hyde recalls a spontaneous exchange between Father Keller and senior tight end Riley Nowakowski that will forever be etched in his memory. A few months earlier, during the quiet campus days of the summer, Nowakowski attended Bible study sessions organized by Father Heller that formed a bond between them.  

“To see that moment between Father Ben and Riley was really beautiful,” Father Hyde said.  

The two Dominicans also took their ministry to the Rose Bowl, watching the Hoosiers keep their undefeated season alive in the warmth of Southern California. Up next is the Peach Bowl next Friday versus No. 5 Oregon in Atlanta, as the Hoosiers are now one win away from the national championship game.  

“When I go to the games, my prayer is that everyone gives their best, everyone stays safe, and that everyone views their participation as an opportunity to grow closer to Jesus,” Father Hyde said. “The success of Indiana football has provided our community, in particular through Fernando, an opportunity to be more in the public eye and for people to be more aware of the Catholic faith.”