Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is one of the nation’s most electrifying players and a top contender for the 2025 Heisman Trophy. But his brothers’ repeated run-ins with law enforcement have been notable and Pavia addressed it all during a recent appearance on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast.
Vanderbilt's senior leader did not shy away from the controversies that have surrounded his family during the Commodores’ 10-2 season, instead offering a candid and blunt defense of their behavior.
Pavia’s remarks came days after his brother, Javier, was arrested at Neyland Stadium during Vanderbilt’s regular-season finale at Tennessee. Knoxville Police charged him with public intoxication after he allegedly refused to take down a flag obstructing fans’ views and “got mouthy with an officer,” according to Knox News. He was later released on his own recognizance.
It was the family’s third such incident of the fall. Diego Pavia told hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, along with comedian Theo Von, that such behavior stems from their upbringing in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“Albuquerque is like a real life GTA,” Pavia said on the podcast. “It’s always been kind of normal to us.”
He added that his attempts to rein in his brothers last season coincided with a late-year slump, joking that their rowdy behavior might actually help Vanderbilt win.
“Last year we were 5-2, then only won one more,” Pavia said. “This year I told them, ‘Get hammered as much as you want. That’s the only time we win.’”
Pavia noted his brothers stayed sober only for the Alabama and Texas games, which happened to be Vanderbilt’s lone losses in 2025.
The Commodores firmly on the College Football Playoff bubble at 10-2, will learn their postseason fate on Selection Sunday.
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