Fernando Mendoza Reveals Tim Tebow Among Legends to Text After Historic Heisman Win

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza revealed on ESPN's SportsCenter after winning the Heisman Trophy that former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, the only three-time Heisman finalist in the award's 91-year history, has reached out to him.

In that same answer, Mendoza also noted that two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner has texted him when asked about the "coolest person" to contact him after the honor.

"I don't have Instagram on my phone and Twitter or TikTok just because I want to stay focused on the season. That was my whole promise to myself before football camp to delete those. I've got a younger brother and other people run those but I would say on text, I've gotten so many amazing texts," Mendoza began.

"I would say a couple that have been extremely important to myself has been Kurt Warner, who I went to his house at least two years ago; he helped me develop. Also, Tim Tebow, who also gave me great advice, and I just really idolize him and the way he spreads his faith. And so many others I could get into. It's a real honor to have everybody reach out and it's going to be a long time responding but I'm going to have a great time responding to everybody."

Mendoza became Indiana University's first-ever Heisman winner on Saturday evening after garnering 643 first-place votes (out of 930 electors) en route to 2,362 total points.

He joins a prestigious group that includes Tebow, who won the Heisman in 2007 and then finished third in 2008 race and fifth in the 2009 running.

It became clear after Mendoza led Indiana to the Big Ten Championship that the award would be his. The former Cal star, who transferred to Indiana this year, completed 71.5 percent of his passes for 33 touchdowns (six interceptions) and 2,980 yards (9.4 yards per attempt). He also rushed for 240 yards and six more touchdowns.

Most notably, Mendoza has led Indiana to a 13-0 record, the aforementioned conference title and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff bracket. It's an historic season for a Hoosiers team that has wildly outperformed expectations (No. 20 in the preseason Associated Press poll). Moreover, Indiana won its first-ever conference title since 1967.

With the Heisman Trophy in tow, Mendoza is looking to lead the Hoosiers to their first-ever national title. On that front, Indiana got a bye to the quarterfinals and awaits the winner of No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl.