"But the grounded grandson of Cuban immigrants ignored the chatter and focused instead on proving himself all over again. Mendoza wasted no time earning the respect of his new teammates thanks to a relentless work ethic. He quickly impressed coaches with his unflappable poise, uncanny natural instincts and unconventional study habits. The Miami native and former Golden Bears star found his exuberant, humble personality fit perfectly in this Midwestern college town John Mellencamp depicted in his hit song Small Town."
"And eventually Mendoza's penchant for making clutch plays put him on the big stage, winning college football's most prestigious individual award in a landslide. Now, as the 22-year-old tries to etch one final chapter into this seemingly made-for-television Hollywood script leading what had been major college football's losingest program to its first national championship in front of a throng of family and friends just about a 40-minute drive from his parents' home Mendoza continues to insist he's just along for the ride."
"If you told me (this would happen) a year ago I believe a year ago today or the day before actually is the day I arrived on campus Hoosier Nation, the coaching staff and the entire sports staff has given me so much opportunity here and (shown) so much belief in my character and my play, not only as a player, also as a leader that I'm forever in debt."
Fernando Mendoza arrived at Indiana from Cal amid sky-high expectations and Heisman and NFL buzz. He ignored external chatter and concentrated on proving himself anew. Mendoza quickly earned teammates' respect through a relentless work ethic and impressed coaches with unflappable poise, natural instincts, and unconventional study habits. The Miami native's exuberant, humble personality fit the Midwestern college town. Clutch plays elevated him to college football's top individual award in a landslide. As a 22-year-old, Mendoza pursues a final chapter leading a once-losingest program toward its first national championship near his family's home, while expressing gratitude to Hoosier Nation and staff.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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