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Vanderbilt’s athletic director issued a statement Monday following quarterback Diego Pavia’s “Fuck 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 before the College Football Playoff (CFP).
In a photo with his Commodores teammates, Pavia captioned a post on his Instagram Stories with his comment that has since gone viral.
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Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores poses with the Heisman Memorial Trophy prior to the presentation of the 2025 Heisman Trophy 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 apologized,” athletic director Candice Lee said in a statement to The Tennessean on Monday. “I know he is remorseful and regrets the harm he caused. He is a passionate and authentic competitor, and while his authenticity has been encouraged and celebrated here, that does not change the responsibility that comes with representing Vanderbilt University.
“We believe in growth and responsibility, and we will continue to support Diego as he learns from this moment.”
VANDERBILT QB DIEGO PAVIA DROP F-BOMB ON HEISMAN VOTERS AFTER LOSING TROPHY TO FERNANDO MENDOZA
Pavia later apologized for his comments, via X.
“I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and I didn’t represent myself the way I wanted,” 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.”
Pavía, 23, finished in second place, although he was a distant after receiving 189 first-place votes compared to 643 votes for Mendoza. He also apologized to Mendoza in his statement.
Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores speaks during a press conference prior to the presentation of the 2025 Heisman Trophy 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 award winner. I have nothing but respect for his accomplishments as well as Jeremiyah’s success. [Love] and julian [Sayin] had this season. “They have doubted me my whole life,” he wrote.
“Every step of my journey, I had to kick down doors and fight for myself, because I learned that nothing would be handed to me. My family has always been on my side, and my teammates, coaches and staff have my six. I love them, I’m grateful for them, and I wouldn’t want anything to distract me from that. I look forward to competing in front of my family and with my team once again in the ReliaQuest Bowl.”
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 passing yards and nine rushing scores as well. He rushed for 826 yards on 152 attempts.
However, Pavia’s reaction to the voting results is not a huge surprise, as he has always been confident in himself to the point of continuing to tell voters to send him to New York City because he felt he deserved the Heisman.
Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores warms up before 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 think to be myself, you check the numbers, and especially there are two things that don’t lie to you: the numbers and the tape. I’ve been taught that since I was young, you’ve got to check that. I feel like I’m hands down the best player in college football.”
Vanderbilt went 10-2 that year, ranking 14th nationally at the end of the season.
