Fernando Mendoza shared an emotional moment with his parents on the field moments after leading the Indiana Hoosiers to its first-ever national championship on Monday night.
After Indiana’s 27-21 win over the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium, Mendoza walked across the field to find his parents at the celebration.
When he reached them, the moment quickly became one of the most moving scenes of the night.
Mendoza finished the championship game 16 of 27 for 186 passing yards and added a crucial rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Throughout the game, cameras often focused on Mendoza’s family in the stands. His mother, Elsa, has suffered from multiple sclerosis for almost twenty years and now uses a wheelchair.
In a letter published in The Players Tribune last month, Elsa wrote about her diagnosis and its impact on the family.
“I was diagnosed about 18 years ago, but of course you never knew that [your brother] Alberto was so young and I was doing just fine… and I especially didn’t want you to worry,” Elsa wrote.
“The thought of you wondering if I was less supportive of you because I suddenly wasn’t at your games? I hated that.”
She added, “You made me feel seen.”
After the final whistle, Elsa smiled as she celebrated with her son on the field.
