On Christmas Eve, when Indiana University’s campus had gone quiet after a long semester, the school's star quarterback arrived at the St. Paul Catholic Center carrying a cardboard box that looked like an ordinary Amazon package.

Inside it was the Heisman Trophy.

Two weeks after accepting college football’s highest individual honor on stage in New York City, Fernando Mendoza visited the St. Paul building, which serves as the university’s Newman Center, a place he said had sustained him during the season. 

“He came over and we walked outside,” recalled Father Patrick Hyde, O.P., the Dominican friar who serves as pastor of St. Paul. “And there, in an Amazon box, there was the Heisman Trophy. It was just so surreal — because it was so normal. Just sharing in the joy and the glory of an accomplishment of one of our people.”

Father Hyde also recalled that during the visit, Mendoza said, “This Church and you all are a major reason why this happened.” 

For anyone who had watched Mendoza this season, the moment felt entirely on brand.

From his earliest postgame interviews to the viral speech he delivered after Indiana’s Big Ten championship win, Mendoza consistently directed the glory to God. In a press conference before the Heisman ceremony, he explained why he did so.

“I would not be here without the path that my Lord, Jesus Christ, has put me on today,” Mendoza said, according to Sports Spectrum. “And so that’s why I always try to give Him the glory and always give Him the thanks, as I know He has a plan for me.”

Mendoza became a fan favorite well before the Heisman ceremony after leading an Indiana team to a No. 1 seed in college football playoffs after a season that exceeded preseason expectations and drew national attention.

Fans nicknamed the moment “Heismandoza,” a playful acknowledgment that the award seemed destined for the player. 

Accepting the award, he began by saying, “First, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to chase a dream that once felt a world away.” 

At a post-ceremony press conference, he spoke about faith as a shared experience.

“Building that faith throughout college and now to be able to share my faith with these amazing teammates and just the community of faith — realizing having God on my side, always praising Jesus Christ — it’s incredible,” he said. “I can’t thank the man above enough.”