Boxing and baseball are the most common sports in Cuban communities. Fernando Mendozaborn in the city of Miami but the grandson of Cubans, opted for another sport, American footballwhich has allowed him to achieve success and be the great candidate to be the first pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
The Indiana Hoosiers quarterback led his team to an undefeated season finish and be first place in NCAA football, and in that way he won the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the best player of the season.
Mendoza finished the regular season with a total of 2,980 yards, 33 touchdown passes and six interceptionswhich placed him next to Julian Sayin, Ohio State quarterback; Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame running back; and Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt quarterback of Mexican origin, as the nominees.
Despite living his entire life in the United States, He is proud of his Cuban roots from his grandparentswho taught him the value of perseverance and hard work, and which he applies in his daily life. He even admits admiring the Cuban tradition in other sports, but wants to inspire other communities on the island to play American football.
“Mi idea was to have the ability to expand the horizon and demonstrate to different Cuban communities that it’s not just about boxing and baseball, disciplines in which we excel and that I love. I really enjoy watching those sports, but we can also play American football and any other discipline we want to do,” he said in an interview with CNN.
Heisman history
After winning the Heisman Trophy, Fernando Mendoza equaled Jim Plunkettof Mexican roots, like the only latin winners of the prestigious award given by college football.
“It is definitely a great honor to be part of the conversationespecially alongside so many great players from the past and great players who are in the conversation now. Honestly, I have always trusted my team and myself. Now I just try to take one game at a time, one practice at a time, so I have a clear vision to achieve my biggest goals,” he added to the same network.
If selected, he would join Nik BonittoDenver Broncos linebacker; Chris Olavereceiver for the New Orleans Saints; and Eddy Pineirokicker for the San Francisco 49ers, who also has Nicaraguan roots.
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Finally, when giving his speech as winner of the Heisman Trophy, Mendoza recognized his grandparents: “For the love and sacrifice of my parents and grandparents, I love them very much. With all my heart, thank you very much”.
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