Diego Pavia Heisman controversy, explained: Why Vanderbilt QB apologized for NSFW comments after second-place finish

Dan Treacy

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Diego Pavia Heisman controversy, explained: Why Vanderbilt QB apologized for NSFW comments after second-place finish image

The Heisman Trophy ceremony was ultimately a crowning moment for Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, who entered as the favorite and won by an even wider margin than many expected.

While Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia capped his own improbable rise by finishing second to Mendoza, the fiery quarterback made it clear after the fact that he believed he should have won.

Pavia stirred controversy with his comments and social media activity after Mendoza's win, leading to an apology on Sunday night as he prepares to play his final collegiate game in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Iowa.

Here's what you need to know about Pavia's controversial comments and apology after the Heisman ceremony.

MORE: Why Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Troph

    Diego Pavia Heisman comments

    After finishing a distant second behind Mendoza on Saturday, Pavia posted a picture of himself and his offensive linemen on his Instagram story with the caption, "F-ALL THE VOTERS, BUT... FAMILY FOR LIFE."

    Pavia also reposted a tweet from pundit Skip Bayless arguing the Vanderbilt star "deserved this award" and throwing shade at Mendoza for a "memorized, rehearsed speech." 

    While some expected the final tally to be close, Pavia finished 927 points behind Mendoza and received 454 fewer votes. It was the widest margin in a Heisman race since 2021, with Mendoza winning by more than Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Travis Hunter. 

    Whether Pavia expected to win is unclear, but he certainly went into Saturday's ceremony believing he deserved the prestigious honor.

    What did Diego Pavia say?

    Pavia appeared gracious at the Heisman ceremony on Saturday but stirred controversy after the event by calling out the voters on Instagram. 

    "F-ALL THE VOTERS, BUT... FAMILY FOR LIFE," Pavia said on his Instagram story with an image of himself and his offensive linemen, who made the trip to New York for the ceremony.

    Pavia also retweeted this post from Skip Bayless arguing he should have won the award. As of Monday morning, the tweet remains reposted by Pavia.

    A little more than 24 hours after the ceremony, Pavia issued an apology statement on Sunday. 

    MORE HEISMAN TROPHY NEWS: 

    Diego Pavia apology

    Pavia tweeted a lengthy apology on Sunday night, explaining that he didn't handle his emotions well after falling short of the award.

    "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," Pavia said. "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."

    Pavia praised Mendoza, writing, "Fernando Mendoza is an elite competitor and a deserving winner of the award," and he said he is focused on getting one more win when Vanderbilt faces Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.

    MORE: Inside Diego Pavia's family tree

    Heisman voting results 2025

    Here are the complete voting results for the 2025 Heisman Trophy:

    FinishPlayerPos.SchoolPoints1st2nd3rd
    1Fernando MendozaQBIndiana2,36264319151
    2Diego PaviaQBVanderbilt1,435189352164
    3Jeremiyah LoveRBNotre Dame71946157267
    4Julian SayinQBOhio State4328118172
    5Jacob RodriguezLBTexas Tech2951756132
    6Jeremiah SmithWROhio State8441836
    7Gunner StocktonQBGeorgia433622
    8Trinidad ChamblissQBOle Miss23257
    9Caleb DownsSOhio State222310
    10Haynes KingQBGeorgia Tech182110

    Pavia finished second to Mendoza but ahead of fellow finalists Jeremiyah Love and Julian Sayin, coming in 927 points behind the Indiana quarterback. 

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