Fernando Mendoza Embodies the Character America Needs

On Monday, after Fernando Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first-ever National Championship victory, the quarterback said, “I want to give all the glory and thanks to God.” Mendoza’s impressive season and incredible personal story of faith and overcoming long odds have been an inspiration for many fans during the 2025-26 college football season. For the athlete, however, this public recognition of God was not only an act of gratitude for the win but also a moment of thanksgiving to the Creator for having blessed him and his teammates with the healthy bodies and minds required to achieve something difficult—something that required much natural virtue and physical excellence.