Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia apologizes for 'disrespectful' reaction to Heisman vote

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia apologized on Sunday night for his "disrespectful" social media post a night earlier after finishing runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza became the program's first Heisman Trophy winner on Saturday night in New York. Pavia posted a photo of him with his offensive linemen at the ceremony with a message to voters for the trophy.

"F-All THE VOTERS," Pavia wrote in all capital letters on his Instagram story with a thumbs-down emoji, "BUT.....FAMILY FOR LIFE."

The post went viral on social media. Pavia issued an apology on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

"Being a part of the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist was such an honor," Pavia wrote. "As a competitor, just like in everything I do I wanted to win. To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful. I didn't handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to. I have much love and respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, and I apologize for being disrespectful. It was a mistake, and I am sorry."

Being a part of the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist was such an honor. As a competitor, just like in everything I do I wanted to win. To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful. I didn't handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the...

— Diego Pavia (@diegopavia02) December 15, 2025

Mendoza received 643 of the 930 first-place votes, finishing with 2,362 points, well ahead of Pavia, who received 189 first-place votes and 1,435 points. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love had 46 first-place votes and finished in third place (719 points), and Ohio State quarterback Justin Sayin finished in fourth with 432 points and eight first-place votes.

"Fernando Mendoza is an elite competitor and a deserving winner of the award," Pavia wrote on X. "I have nothing but respect for his accomplishments as well as the success that Jeremiyah and Julian had this season. I've been doubted my whole life. Every step of my journey I've had to break down doors and fight for myself, because I've learned that nothing would be handed to me."

Pavia, like Mendoza, engineered a turnaround for a football program that historically has known little success. It was Pavia's second season for the Commodores after starting his career at New Mexico State. He threw for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions and rushed for 826 yards and nine TDs in 2025.

"My family has always been in my corner, and my teammates, coaches and staff have my six," Pavia wrote on X. "I love them -- I am grateful for them. -- and I wouldn't want anything to distract from that. I look forward to competing in front of my family and with my team one more time in the ReliaQuest Bowl."

Vanderbilt (10-2), which finished No. 14 in the College Football Playoff final rankings, plays No. 23 Iowa (8-4) in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31 in Tampa, Fla.

--Field Level Media