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Vanderbilt’s athletic director released a statement Monday following quarterback Diego Pavia’s “F-All the voters” comment on his social media following the Heisman Trophy results last weekend.
Pavia was a distant second to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, the quarterback who led the Hoosiers to a perfect 13-0 record and the Big Ten Championship prior to the College Football Playoff (CFP).
In a photo with other Commodores teammates, Pavia captioned a post on his Instagram stories with his comment, which has since gone viral.
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Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores poses with the Heisman Memorial Trophy before the 2025 Heisman Trophy presentation at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 13, 2025 in New York City. (Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
“Diego knows his actions were unacceptable and he has apologized,” athletic director Candice Lee said in a statement to The Tennessean on Monday. “I know he is remorseful and regrets the harm he has caused. He is a passionate and authentic competitor, and while his authenticity has been nurtured and celebrated here, it does not change the responsibility that comes with representing Vanderbilt University.
“We believe in growth and accountability, and we will continue to support Diego as he learns from this moment.”
VANDERBILT QUARTERBACK DIEGO PAVIA DROOPS F-BOMB ON HEISMAN VOTERS AFTER LOSING TROPHY TO FERNANDO MENDOZA
Pavia later apologized for his comments via X.
“I did not handle these emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to,” he wrote in a statement. “I have a lot of love and respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, and I apologize for being disrespectful. It was a mistake and I’m sorry.”
Pavia, 23, finished second, albeit a distant second, after receiving 189 first-place votes to Mendoza’s 643 votes. He also apologized to Mendoza in his statement.
Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores speaks during a news conference prior to the 2025 Heisman Trophy presentation at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 13, 2025 in New York City. (Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
“Fernando Mendoza is an elite competitor and a deserving winner of the award. I have nothing but respect for his accomplishments as well as the success that Jeremiah [Love] and Julian [Sayin] had this season. I’ve had doubts all my life,” he wrote.
“Every step of my journey I’ve had to break down doors and fight for myself because I’ve learned that nothing was going to be given to me. My family has always been in my corner and my teammates, coaches and staff have my six. I love them – I’m grateful for them – and I don’t want anything to distract from that. I’m looking forward to competing with my family and my family one more time.”
Pavia, playing in his second season at Vanderbilt after starting at New Mexico State, led the SEC with a 71.2% completion rate with 27 touchdowns, 3,192 yards passing and nine rushing scores as well. He rushed for 826 yards on 152 attempts.
Pavia’s reaction to the voting results isn’t much of a shock, though, as he’s always been confident to the point where he kept telling voters to send him to New York City when he felt he deserved the Heisman.
Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores warms up prior to the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
“The Heisman Trophy winner goes to the best player in college football,” Pavia said on OutKick’s “Hot Mic.” “I believe that to be myself, you check the numbers and especially — there’s two things that don’t lie to you: numbers and tapes. I’ve been taught since I was young, you go check it out. I feel like I’m hands down the best player in college football.”
Vanderbilt had a 10–2 record on the year, and was ranked No. 14 nationally at the end of the season.
