Story byThe Herald TimesMichael Niziolek, The Herald-TimesSun, December 14, 2025 at 8:31 AM UTC·4 min readNEW YORK — The person who picked the playlist at Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman afterparty on Saturday night at Elsie Rooftop knew the assignment. More than 100 friends, teammates, coaches and family members belted out ABBA’s “Fernando” to welcome the Heisman Trophy winner to the proceedings. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe sing-along was an outlet for the group’s enthusiasm that reached a fever pitch while waiting nearly two hours for Mendoza to join them while he wrapped up the many media obligations that come with winning the award. Before he could celebrate, Mendoza had to hit Times Square with the Heisman Trophy. He was joined by a large group of his IU teammates to pose for photos amidst a sea of confused onlookers. The famed intersection was packed with holiday revelers snapping selfies, many of whom paused to check out the loud interlopers chanting “HeisMendoza.”More: Why did Fernando Mendoza with the Heisman Trophy? These moments stand out. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMendoza’s teammates weren’t able to be at the actual the ceremony — attendance is limited to a small party for each finalist — and hustled to the Marriott Marquis from their private watch party to welcome the quarterback to the press conference he participated in after the event ended. They couldn’t contain their excitement as reporters asked Mendoza questions about winning the prestigious award. Indiana offensive lineman Carter Smith yelled out “hell yeah" at one point when a media member brought up coach Curt Cignetti’s “no self-imposed limitations line.”It made for a unique scene with one veteran reporter who had covered the event for the last two decades posting on social media the support Mendoza received from his teammates at the event was like nothing he’d ever seen. Cignetti was in the room as well, having left the intense demeanor he's known for on the sidelines back in Bloomington.