Lindsey Vonn&#8217;s epic Olympic comeback is in jeopardy after the legendary skier was airlifted after crashing during a World Cup race in Switzerland on Friday.
Vonn said she injured her left knee while competing at the Crans Montana World Cup. Vonn was making a turn when she lost control and crashed. She was able to limp off the course to a medical tent for evaluation before having to be airlifted in a harness.
&#8220;I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams,&#8221; Vonn said Friday. &#8220;This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics &#8230; but if there&#8217;s one thing I know how to do, it&#8217;s a comeback.&#8221;
The 41-year-old was poised to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics, which begin next Friday in Italy. Vonn made a comeback last season after spending nearly six years away from the sport. The Olympic gold medalist is scheduled to compete February 8 in the women&#8217;s downhill for her first Olympic event. She is also set to compete in the super-G and the new team combined event.
&#8220;My Olympic dream is not over,&#8221; Vonn added. &#8220;Thank you to all the medical staff who helped me today &#8230; it&#8217;s not over until it&#8217;s over.&#8221;
Vonn&#8217;s coach told <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/vonn-crashes-crans-montana-downhill-2026-01-30/">Reuters</a> that the skier was in some pain after the incident.
&#8220;She has some pain so it&#8217;s better to have some checks, the physio did some checks they seemed ok but there were things he was not 100% sure so it was good to have it checked (at the hospital),&#8221; Aksel Lund Svindal said.
The rest of the World Cup race was called off because of the worsening conditions in Switzerland and several crashes on top of Vonn&#8217;s accident.
“The main reason is the safety of the athletes,&#8221; Women&#8217;s World Cup Director Pete Gerdol said after calling off the competition. &#8220;The visibility was getting worse and worse, they couldn’t see the race line properly and it caused mistakes. We saw six athletes starting and all six had some mistakes. This was a sign that it was a high-risk situation. We know that our sport is a risky sport, but the feeling was too much risk. That’s why the Jury decided to stop the race.”
Before Friday&#8217;s injury, Vonn was having a successful 2025-2026 campaign on the slopes. In December, she won her first skiing World Cup since her comeback. Her last title before that was in 2018, but she didn&#8217;t have to wait long at all to find the top spot again. Earlier in January, Vonn won another World Cup in Austria, bringing her total World Cup victories to 84.
The accolades mounting during her comeback tour are why Vonn was a strong favorite heading into this year&#8217;s games. If she is able to recover for the Olympics, it will have to be speedy. The practice runs for the downhill start Wednesday.

Credit: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images

‘My Olympic Dream Is Not Over’: Lindsey Vonn Airlifted After Crash One Week Before Start Of Games

General

Italy

Sports

Winter Olympics

World

Bad Bunny is getting ready to perform the halftime show at the Super Bowl — arguably one of the country&#8217;s most American events — but the Puerto Rican singer doesn&#8217;t seem too fond of his roots.
Bad Bunny notably didn&#8217;t stand for &#8220;God Bless the USA&#8221; at a Yankees game last fall and refused to tour in the United States this year after he said he didn&#8217;t want ICE raiding his concert venues. The global superstar has been critical of President Donald Trump, while the Trump administration has made it clear there is a lack of excitement from their end for Bad Bunny&#8217;s performance.
Despite that, it seems there will be enough patriotism to go around at Super Bowl LX as both teams honor America&#8217;s 250th anniversary. The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will face off with red, white, and blue patches that read &#8220;USA 250&#8221; on the front of their jerseys when the teams take the field on February 8 at Levi&#8217;s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The NFL unveiled the uniforms on Thursday. The USA 250 patch will be on the right side of the Patriots jersey with the Super Bowl LX logo on the left.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Super Bowl LX uni 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/3W7hpIWC2q">pic.twitter.com/3W7hpIWC2q</a>
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) <a href="https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/2016928456747934015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2026</a></blockquote>
The Seahawks will have the celebratory sign under the Super Bowl patch on the right side of the jersey across from an anniversary patch honoring Seattle&#8217;s 50th season in the league.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Super Bowl LX threads. <a href="https://t.co/OrsGaJHsw4">pic.twitter.com/OrsGaJHsw4</a>
— xz* &#8211; Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Seahawks/status/2016974717643870369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2026</a></blockquote>
Despite being the designated &#8220;away&#8221; team, the Seahawks will don their home navy uniforms. The Patriots will wear white.
The teams&#8217; jerseys aren&#8217;t the only place the United States will be honored during America&#8217;s biggest football game. &#8220;America 250&#8221; will be stenciled on the sidelines of Levi&#8217;s Stadium for the big game, just as the NFL has done each week since Week 18 of the season.
The game balls and the ceremonial coins used during the pre-game toss and overtime (if necessary) will also have America 250 logos. Per the NFL, the coins will be auctioned off for charity on the NFL Auction platform.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says football represents America.
&#8220;The NFL is proud to participate in celebrating America&#8217;s 250th anniversary,&#8221; said Goodell. &#8220;The story of the NFL reflects the story of America, and the American spirit of resilience, innovation and teamwork has helped football grow into a cultural pastime that unites us all. We are excited to honor our country&#8217;s history and celebrate our collective future.&#8221;
Last fall, Goodell <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/commissioner-roger-goodell-bad-bunny-s-super-bowl-halftime-show-not-being-reconsidered">said</a> he would not reconsider his choice of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show even amid significant backlash, saying it was &#8220;carefully thought through,&#8221; the Associated Press reported.
President Donald Trump called the decision &#8220;absolutely ridiculous.&#8221;
Goodell defended his choice, referring to Bad Bunny as &#8220;one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world.&#8221;
&#8220;I&#8217;m not sure we&#8217;ve ever selected an artist where we didn&#8217;t have some blowback or criticism. It&#8217;s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching,&#8221; the NFL commissioner added.
America&#8217;s military will have a featured role in this year&#8217;s Super Bowl. The U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy are conducting a joint flyover during the pregame as part of the 250th celebrations. The formation will feature two Air Force B-1 Lancers from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and two F-15C Eagles from Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, alongside a pair of Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets and two F-35C Lightning IIs, from Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs said the flyover is a symbol of the nation’s journey and independence.
The service members who are participating in the flyover will be on hand for community events in Santa Clara leading up to game day. Fans can view displays of aircraft, watch search and rescue demonstrations, and see backseat flights on the F/A-18F with community leaders.
The star-spangled-themed Super Bowl is another example of how the NFL has celebrated milestones in American history.
In 1976, the NFL celebrated America&#8217;s 200th anniversary with special helmet decals and jersey patches.
The Seahawks and Patriots square off Sunday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m. E.T.

Illustration by Daily Wire staff

Unlike Bad Bunny, The Super Bowl Is Going All-In To Celebrate America

Bad Bunny

Super Bowl

Trump Administration

U.S.

It&#8217;s not too often you have President Donald Trump and LeBron James agreeing, but when it comes to Bill Belichick getting left out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the two are very much on the same page.
Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl Championship head coach of the New England Patriots, is not a First-Ballot Hall-of-Famer, meaning the storied NFL coach didn&#8217;t get into the elite club the first year he was eligible.
&#8220;It is the same mindset that gave pro football the new and unwatchable &#8216;Sissy&#8217; Kickoff Rule, that made it possible for Bill Belichick to not be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,&#8221; Trump said in a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115972714460477814">post</a> on Truth Social. &#8220;Both are ridiculous and should be overturned!&#8221;
Sharing a similar sentiment, James aired his grievances about the HOF snub on X.
&#8220;Man there&#8217;s no way I read that right! Right? Ain&#8217;t no WAY Bill Belichick ain&#8217;t 1st Ballot HOF!!&#8221; James <a href="https://x.com/KingJames/status/2016301261113655646?s=20">said</a>. &#8220;That&#8217;s IMPOSSIBLE, EGREGIOUS, and quite frankly DISRESPECTFUL!&#8221;
The President and NBA legend were far from outliers on the issue. Belichick&#8217;s exclusion from the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year is puzzling to many. He has a total of eight Super Bowl rings, including the two he won as defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells.
Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes <a href="https://x.com/PatrickMahomes/status/2016285161659175134">called</a> the snub &#8220;insane,&#8221; adding that he could not &#8220;understand how this could be possible.&#8221;
Belichick didn&#8217;t meet the 40-vote threshold needed for induction into the Hall, per <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47747076/belichick-not-first-ballot-hall-famer">ESPN</a>. The outlet said Belichick was told directly from the Hall that he didn&#8217;t make it on Friday.
Belichick responded by saying, &#8220;Six Super Bowls isn&#8217;t enough?&#8221; when he heard the news, according to ESPN.
One source told ESPN that &#8220;politics&#8221; were involved in the snub. &#8220;Politics kept him out. He doesn&#8217;t believe this is a reflection on his accomplishments,&#8221; the source told ESPN. Belichick didn&#8217;t respond to the outlet&#8217;s request for comment.
A spokesperson for the Pro Football Hall of Fame did provide ESPN with a comment on Belichick&#8217;s ballot absence.
&#8220;The Pro Football Hall of Fame does not comment on the voting of the Selection Committee and awaits the unveiling of the Class of 2026 at &#8216;NFL Honors&#8217; on Feb. 5 in San Francisco,&#8221; a spokesperson said.
Voters for the Pro Football Hall of Fame are mostly longtime NFL reporters. But other voters include former NFL general manager Bill Polian and legendary head coach Tony Dungy. They are both in the Hall of Fame.
Polian finds himself in the middle of this debacle as ESPN reported the former Colts and Bills GM allegedly told some voters he believed Belichick should &#8220;wait a year&#8221; before being inducted as punishment for Spygate.
Spygate was the 2007 cheating scandal directly tied to Belichick that involved illegally filming opponents&#8217; hand signals during games. The scandal cost the Patriots a first-round draft pick, Belichick was also fined $500,000, and the Patriots organization was also fined $250,000.
Spygate was not the only cheating scandal involving Belichick and the New England Patriots. In 2015, controversy erupted again for Belichick and the Patriots during the Deflategate scandal. The team was implicated for using under-inflated footballs during the AFC Championship game. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was suspended for 4 games for his involvement, and the organization was fined $1 million.
Regardless of the various scandals, Polian quickly changed his tune on Wednesday after that report circulated, telling ESPN that &#8220;he could not remember with 100% certainty if he voted for Belichick, saying he was 95% sure he voted for the coach.&#8221;
At least 11 voters of the 50 didn&#8217;t give Belichick his flowers this year. The coach will most definitely end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but will now have to wait, at least, another 365 days to get that coveted gold jacket.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft is also up for the Hall of Fame this year. Trump and Kraft have been longtime buddies, with Kraft even donating to Trump&#8217;s first inauguration.
We only know about Belichick&#8217;s ballot situation because of the ESPN story, but if Kraft is also left out of the Hall of Fame this year, Trump will most certainly have something else to say about that as well.

‘Ridiculous’: Trump Disgusted With Bill Belichick Hall Of Fame Snub

Trump Disgusted With Bill Belichick Hall Of Fame Snub

Bill Belichick

New England Patriots

News

Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who is accused of running a billion-dollar multinational drug trafficking ring and carrying out multiple killings, pleaded not guilty in court on Monday.
Wedding made his first court appearance Monday since he was arrested in Mexico last week.
United States officials said Wedding had been hiding in Mexico for more than a decade. He was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list last March when authorities offered a $15 million reward for any information leading to his arrest.
According to <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/olympic-snowboarder-accused-drug-smuggling-ring-heads-court-129575968">ABC News</a>, Wedding, who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, moved close to 60 tons of cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, Canada, and Southern California. Wedding is believed to have worked with the Sinaloa Cartel, which is one of Mexico&#8217;s most powerful drug rings.
FBI Director Kash Patel was there for Wedding&#8217;s arrest and described the snowboarder as a modern-day Pablo Escobar.
&#8220;Just to tell you how bad of a guy Ryan Wedding is, he went from an Olympic snowboarder to the largest narco-trafficker in modern times,&#8221; Patel said Friday. &#8220;He&#8217;s a modern-day El Chapo. He is a modern-day Pablo Escobar, and he thought he could evade justice.&#8221;
Per ABC, Mexican authorities said Wedding turned himself in at the United States Embassy in Mexico City last week, something Wedding&#8217;s defense attorney, Anthony Colombo, denies.
“He was arrested,” Colombo said. “He did not surrender.”
The defense attorney added that Wedding was in good spirits, but did say that this has been an overwhelming experience for his client.
Wedding was indicted in 2024 on federal charges of running a criminal enterprise, murder, conspiring to distribute cocaine, and other crimes. United States authorities claim in court papers that Wedding’s group obtained cocaine from Colombia and worked with Mexican cartels to move drugs by boat and plane to Mexico and then into the United States using semi trucks. The group would store cocaine in Southern California before sending it to Canada and other locations in the United States, per the indictment obtained by ABC.
Wedding is also accused of directing the killings of two members of a Canadian family in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment in 2023 and for ordering a killing over a drug debt in 2024. The news outlet reported Wedding was indicted on new charges of orchestrating the killing of a witness in Colombia to help him avoid extradition back to the United States.
In Canada, Wedding faces separate drug charges dating back to 2015.
Wedding is scheduled to be back in federal court February 11 with a trial set for March 24.
Wedding competed for Canada in the men&#8217;s parallel giant slalom at the Olympics in 2002. He finished 24th.

Credit: Tony Marshall/EMPICS via Getty Images

Former Olympic Snowboarder Pleads Not Guilty To Murder, Drug Trafficking Charges

Crime

Drugs

Mexico

Ryan Wedding

Legendary American rock climber Alex Honnold stunned the world yesterday when he scaled the 1,667-foot skyscraper Taipei 101 in Taiwan without any safety equipment.
The entire 90-minute event was broadcast live on Netflix on Saturday with a ten-second delay after being postponed due to weather earlier in the week. 
“It was like what a view, it’s incredible, what a beautiful day,” the 40-year-old climber said afterward, per <a href="https://apnews.com/article/alex-honnold-taipei-101-solo-climb-netflix-cfe8960237290086cdee581075056fbf">Associated Press</a>. “It was very windy, so I was like, don’t fall off the spire. I was trying to balance nicely. But it was, what an incredible position, what a beautiful way to see Taipei.”
Honnold has done major climbs before, but nothing to this scale. Spectators watched captivated as the climber ascended the massive skyscraper, at one point, going hands-free, gripping only with his legs.
A huge crowd of onlookers watched from the ground and in the building, which Honnold said was not the usual for him. 
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ALEX HONNOLD AFTER COMPLETING HIS FREE SOLO OF TAIPEI 101: &#8220;Sick.&#8221;
The 101 story climb took 1 hour and 35 minutes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SkyscraperLIVE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SkyscraperLIVE</a> <a href="https://t.co/TIzeRqiUcM">pic.twitter.com/TIzeRqiUcM</a>
— Netflix (@netflix) <a href="https://twitter.com/netflix/status/2015255348215742822?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“When I was leaving the ground, you’re like oh it’s kind of intense, there’s so many people watching,” he said, per the AP. “But then honestly, they’re all wishing me well. I mean basically it just makes the whole experience feel almost more festive, all these nice people are out supporting me and having a good time.”
The father of two first went viral in 2017 after becoming the first person to “free solo” on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, climbing 2,900 feet without safety equipment. The 2018 biographical documentary “Free Solo,” is about Honnold’s climbing career and won a BAFTA and an Academy Award.
&#8220;Free solo&#8221; in rock climbing means climbing without any ropes or harnesses. It’s the most dangerous form of climbing and often proves fatal. One mistake can easily result in death. 
Another climber, Alain Robert from France, climbed Taipei 101 in 2004 upon its completion. At the time, it was the tallest building in the world. However, Robert utilized ropes and harnesses for his ascent.

Alex Honnold

American Climber Scales Taiwan’s Tallest Skyscraper Without Any Safety Equipment

Climber Scales 1,667-Foot Skyscraper With No Safety Equipment, Live On Netflix

free solo

Mountain climbing

Taiwan

United States

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is trying to rev up support to host an IndyCar race on the National Mall in August as part of the country&#8217;s celebration of 250 years. The only problem? Democrats are trying to pump the brakes on the idea.
Fast cars and freedom sound like an all-American good time. Several backseat-driving Democrats, however, think it&#8217;s &#8220;absurd&#8221; for Congress to give the green light to an IndyCar race in D.C. when lawmakers won’t even extend health care subsidies, Punchbowl News <a href="https://punchbowl.news/archive/12326-am/">reported</a>.
The race needs Congress to pass a bill for the event because, currently, there’s a ban on advertising on the Capitol grounds. And what do race cars have all over? Ads.
A United States Department of Transportation spokesperson emphasized what the event would mean to commemorate America250.
&#8220;The Grand Prix is an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate our nation&#8217;s proud racing pedigree, showcase the beauty of the National Mall, and generate millions in critical tourism revenue for the Capital. The Trump Administration is determined to make D.C. great again, and this race is another example of that commitment. We&#8217;ll keep working with our partners in Congress to outline the positive impacts it will have on the District and correct the record.&#8221;
The America250 celebration is already set to have a much-anticipated live UFC event on the White House Lawn, the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia, and the Patriot Games in Washington, D.C.
The proposed race would start at the Supreme Court and then do an entire lap around the National Mall, including the Lincoln Memorial. “Pit Row” would be set up by the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
The IndyCar Grand Prix idea has been floated to the aides of Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
A bipartisan prix is worrisome to the Democrats, who seem to only know how to white-knuckle the steering wheel. They argue it puts a strain on the U.S. Capitol Police and the surrounding roads. Democrats also think Republicans haven&#8217;t been helpful to them, according to Punchbowl News. They aren&#8217;t too keen on this race because so far the GOP has refused to hang a plaque honoring the victims of the January 6 Capitol riot, an aide told the outlet.
IndyCar told The Daily Wire that new events are something the organization welcomes.
“We continue to work on new events for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Major East Coast markets &#8211; like Washington D.C. and several other large metro destinations &#8211; are priorities for us,&#8221; a spokesperson said.
IndyCar has races scheduled for August already, but none in Washington, D.C. Per the league&#8217;s schedule, Secretary Duffy&#8217;s target date of August 21 is open. Still, it seems there might be a few pit stops before this event gets to the finish line.

An IndyCar Race Around The Capital Would Be As American As It Gets. Democrats Are The Roadblock.

An IndyCar Race Around D.C. Sounds Awesome But Democrats Are The Roadblock

INDYCAR

Washington D.C.

President Donald Trump loves being the man in the arena. From the broadcast booth of football games to the ringside at UFC main events, Trump is arguably the most sports-centered president this country has ever seen.
Trump on Monday shared a good luck message with the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes ahead of the College Football Playoff National Championship.
&#8220;Melania and I congratulate the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes on making it to the College Football Playoff National Championship,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;God bless the talented players and dedicated coaches, the families who love and support them, and the faithful fans who cheer them on. May the best team win!&#8221;
When Trump takes the stands with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Monday night, it will only be the latest instance of this administration embracing sports. This season alone, Trump has attended the Army-Navy game, an NFL matchup between the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, and, with most of his cabinet in tow, a UFC fight last June.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-and-rubio-get-ready-to-bro-out-at-college-football-national-championship-game">RELATED: Trump And Rubio Get Ready To &#8216;Bro Out&#8217; At College Football National Championship Game</a>
Trump has capitalized on his record of attending sporting events, inviting Americans to see a different side of him from the comfort of their living rooms. Athletes have even used the famous &#8220;Trump Dance&#8221; to celebrate a score or a knockout.
Before the game in Miami, Trump took time to reflect on the history of the sport.
&#8220;For more than 150 years, college football has been a cherished fixture in American culture,&#8221; Trump wrote. &#8220;Every fall and winter, massive crowds flock to stadiums in college towns all across our Nation to witness the epic display of loyalty, rivalry, tradition, and regional identity erupting throughout the stands and on the field below.&#8221;
&#8220;From the very first collegiate matchup in 1869, our country’s love of this storied Saturday ritual has been passed down from one generation to the next and endured as an iconic American institution,&#8221; the president added.
Both Trump and Rubio are connected to the Canes. Trump&#8217;s granddaughter, Kai Trump, will be playing golf at the University of Miami next year. Rubio has a law degree from The U, and was raised near the campus, just like Indiana&#8217;s quarterback, Fernando Mendoza. Like Rubio, Mendoza is a proud Cuban-American who credits his drive to their roots.
While Trump did not say which team he was backing in his National Championship message, he emphasized what college football means to Americans.
&#8220;At its best, college football reflects our timeless American values of family, freedom, unity, and hard work and represents the pinnacle of our national spirit. It is seen in the players whose focus, discipline, and unwavering grit are forged in every practice and workout. It is upheld by the coaches who set high standards, demand greatness, and help cultivate incredible student-athletes — and even better Americans — who stop at nothing to achieve their God-given potential both on and off the field.&#8221;
Indiana is the No. 1 seed and heavy favorite in the title game. Miami comes in as the No. 10 seed in the 12-team playoff, with the Hurricanes eager for a victory on their home turf. Kickoff is at 7:30 eastern.
The president has inserted himself into several sports narratives by praising on-field talent, endorsing players in the NFL Draft, and vouching for coaches. Most recently, Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hire-john-harbaugh-fast-trump-weighs-in-after-ravens-fire-longtime-nfl-coach">went to bat</a> for recently fired NFL coach John Harbaugh. The longtime Baltimore coach just landed a job with the New York Giants after Trump suggested they hire Harbaugh.
“The New York Football Giants should hire, without question, John Harbaugh,&#8221; Trump wrote on Truth Social. &#8220;And John, a great guy, should TAKE THE JOB!!!”
Then there&#8217;s the history-making part of Trump&#8217;s fandom: last NFL season, he became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl. Right after taking office for the second time, he was in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.

‘May The Best Team Win!’: Trump Sends Message Ahead Of College Football Championship

No President Has Championed Sports Like President Trump

College sports

Donald Trump

Fernando Mendoza

Indiana University

Miami

On the sideline for the Indiana Hoosiers at Monday night&#8217;s national championship game, you&#8217;ll find coaches, players&#8230;and a Catholic priest.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is on a historic run as Indiana heads into the College Football Playoff National Championship, and he&#8217;s sharing the experience alongside his pastor, who has mentored him through the madness of this college football season.
&#8220;Fernando and a group of guys during the season would come in before games to pray,&#8221; Father Patrick Hyde told The Daily Wire.  &#8220;We would give them a blessing and just chat with them.&#8221;
Mendoza has been described as Tim Tebow 2.0, the total package for a college quarterback. Hyde describes him as authentic.
&#8220;He&#8217;s a joyful person and I always, at least as a Catholic priest, go back to the scriptures where Jesus says, &#8216;I have said these things to you so that you might have my joy and your joy might be complete,&#8217; and it&#8217;s a reminder to us that joy is something to be shared,&#8221; Hyde said. &#8220;As Christians the first joy we have is knowing Jesus, and we should desire to share that with other people.&#8221;
Hyde has witnessed Mendoza&#8217;s success for Indiana up close this season, attending every home game, the Big Ten Championship, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, and now the National Championship.
<div id="attachment_1029565" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1029565" class="size-large wp-image-1029565" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-65-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-65-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-65-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-65-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-65.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: Father Patrick Hyde</div>
&#8220;It&#8217;s a good reminder for all of us that we honor God by using the gifts and the talents we have,&#8221; Hyde said.
A priest may seem like an unlikely cheerleader, but Hyde has been able to establish a close relationship with Mendoza, who rarely misses church. When Mendoza transferred to Indiana, he made it a priority to join the St. Paul Catholic Center on Indiana&#8217;s campus.
&#8220;He was just another face in the crowd, but he&#8217;s tall so you recognized him,&#8221; Hyde said.
Then, after a game early in the season, Hyde&#8217;s 7-year-old nephew wanted to meet Indiana&#8217;s rising star. Through Hyde&#8217;s campus connections, his nephew got to meet Mendoza and other Hoosier players.
&#8220;After the game ended, Fernando and Charlie Becker, one of the wide receivers, came right back out to formally introduce themselves to us. We&#8217;ve gotten to know them really on a personal level since then,&#8221; Hyde said.
Mendoza&#8217;s impact on the Catholic community hasn&#8217;t gone unnoticed. He makes his faith known in post-game interviews, and backs it up by having Bible study with his teammates.  Since Mendoza joined St. Paul in Bloomington, Hyde said the number of students in Bible studies has grown from 50 to 500 and more than 1,200 students attend Sunday Mass.
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Credit: The Daily Wire
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&#8220;Last year we had about 30 people who became Catholic. This year we have about 120 people who have expressed an interest in becoming Catholic. In one year we&#8217;ve seen a quadrupling, and that&#8217;s not the work of us, that&#8217;s the work of the spirit,&#8221; Hyde said.
Hyde, along with Father Ben Keller, who is also on staff at Indiana&#8217;s campus parish, has experienced Indiana football like never before this season: on the field, getting to celebrate the wins with the players they minister.
Post-game on the gridiron is as chaotic as it comes off on television, but Hyde somehow was able to find Mendoza after the semi-final win over Oregon.
&#8220;We were kinda just standing back on the sideline, just kinda moseying and it was like the parting of the Red Sea,&#8221; Hyde said. &#8220;All the sudden it was Fernando looking at me and Father Ben and Fernando just said &#8216;Father! That just really touched my heart, he was so happy to see us.”
Mendoza has shared other monumental moments with his church family. After winning the Heisman, college football&#8217;s most coveted award, in December, he brought the trophy to St. Paul&#8217;s for Father Hyde and other members of the staff to see. Hyde said Fernando told the church staff, &#8220;you all are a major reason why this happened.&#8221;
What Indiana Football has done this season has been described by many as a miracle. Three years ago, Indiana became the first Division 1 program to reach 700 losses. The Hoosiers were the worst team in football. But head coach Curt Cignetti has turned the team into the heavy favorite to win the title.
&#8220;The opportunity to see our team compete at this moment and to compete for a national championship, I think it&#8217;s an inspiration. Especially Fernando&#8217;s own story of being a low-regarded high school quarterback to winning the Heisman Trophy. It&#8217;s just a reminder for all of us that if we have those gifts, if we keep doing the right work and do things the right way, that the Lord is never outdone in generosity.&#8221;
<div id="attachment_1029567" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1029567" class="size-large wp-image-1029567" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-67-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-67-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-67-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-67-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-67.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: Father Patrick Hyde</div>
Hyde has documented his game days. The pictures of Mendoza posting at church with his Heisman Trophy, or Father Hyde celebrating a touchdown, are welcome posts for the Priest&#8217;s nearly 20,000 followers on X.
He never expected to do media interviews, or have people come up to him after seeing him at a game, but Father Hyde is calling it a blessing.
&#8220;When was the last time we saw an athlete who was achieving success with his or her team bring the media in on the relationship with their pastor, right?&#8221; Hyde said. &#8220;It&#8217;s a great opportunity to share the good news of what&#8217;s going on at Indiana&#8217;s campus, but to also share the good news of Jesus.&#8221;
The Hoosier-loving Priest is ready to watch Mendoza and Indiana take on the University of Miami. Hyde said on a personal level, he wants to bring the championship trophy back to Bloomington, calling a victory &#8221; a wonderful last chapter to this season.&#8221;
He will do his usual game-day routine and pray for the safety of the players on both teams. Hyde said he will pray for Indiana to play to the best of their abilities. But most importantly, his prayer is for the team to give all the glory to God.
&#8220;My hope is that Fernando&#8217;s witness is an inspiration to people to put your faith first, to give God a try,&#8221; Hyde said. &#8220;To get up and to go back to church if you&#8217;ve been away and to just trust that the Lord will help move you forward, but the Lord will also give you the strength day to day to do the right things that will make your life even better if you entrust your lives and your hearts to His providential care.&#8221;
Indiana and Miami kick off Monday night at 7:30 ET.

Credit: Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images/ Father Patrick Hyde

Behind The Bond Between A Heisman-Winning Quarterback And His Catholic Priest

The Florida Panthers celebrated their Stanley Cup win in patriotic fashion at the White House Thursday with President Donald Trump. No boycotting, no bad-mouthing, just love and respect for the country many on the team call home.
&#8220;On behalf of the whole organization and mainly the players, we are so honored to be here,&#8221; Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk told Trump. &#8220;Being an American, I know I said it last year, but I mean, nothing beats this. I&#8217;m so proud to be an American, and I&#8217;m so proud to be here with you and everybody else.&#8221;
The back-to-back NHL Stanley Cup Champs have transformed the Florida franchise. Though Tkachuk scored two goals in the Panthers&#8217; Stanley Cup Final series, hanging out with the President is at the top of his list of accomplishments.
&#8220;The two Cups was pretty good, but that walk with you might&#8217;ve &#8216;Trumped&#8217; it all there,&#8221; Tkachuk said, emphasizing the play on words. &#8220;That was pretty amazing.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/FlaPanthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FlaPanthers</a> star Matthew Tkachuk: &#8220;The two Cups was pretty good, but that walk with you might&#8217;ve Trumped it all&#8230; Nothing beats this. I&#8217;m so proud to be an American, and so proud to be here with you.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/r3LXfIU5fQ">pic.twitter.com/r3LXfIU5fQ</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2011917662264152301?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2026</a></blockquote>
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As an honorary Floridian himself, Trump praised the Panthers for their historic accomplishments, including bringing the first-ever Stanley Cup to South Florida. The President said he watched some of the Panthers&#8217; games last season and the players &#8220;know how to win.&#8221;
&#8220;It&#8217;s an honor to welcome to the White House the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;Unbelievable team, unbelievable athletes, players. These men are responsible for the greatest feats in Panthers&#8217; franchise history.&#8221;
The President pointed out that he should be welcoming the three-time defending champions, but the Panthers lost in the final in 2023.
&#8220;The one that you didn&#8217;t make, what the hell happened to you? You should have won that game,&#8221; Trump said as the room erupted in laughter.
The Panthers gifted Trump a No. 47 jersey, a flashy championship ring, and a golden hockey stick, which Trump said will be &#8220;good for slashing.&#8221;
Trump loved the fact that the Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers, one of the NHL&#8217;s seven Canadian teams — a big win for the Team USA crowd.
&#8220;You denied Canada the Stanley Cup for the 32nd straight year,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;We have a little competition with Canada &#8230; We’re doing much better than Canada, but that’s okay. We want them to do well, and they’re going to do well.&#8221;
Canada and the United States are just weeks away from competing in the Winter Olympics that start in February. Tkachuk, who was raised in Missouri, told Trump he cannot wait to put on the Team USA jersey.
&#8220;Representing you and the millions back here next month in the Olympics will be one of the highlights of my life as well,&#8221; he added, while looking toward the president.
The NHL will pause for the Olympics, but when the season picks back up at the end of February, Tkachuk told Trump to make room for another Panther&#8217;s championship ring in the White House.
&#8220;We&#8217;re not stopping now, we hope to be here next year.&#8221;

Credit: Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images

‘I’m So Proud To Be An American’: NHL Champion Loves The USA And President Trump

Florida Panthers

A Nevada ballot measure that would enshrine a ban in the state constitution on athletes who identify as transgender to compete on women’s sports teams is likely to be put before voters in November, drawing increased attention to the gubernatorial race.
Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo announced the “Protect Girls’ Sports” initiative last week after teasing it throughout last year. The measure would “amend the Equal Rights Amendment to protect fairness and integrity in girls’ athletics,” particularly regarding public funding, according to a press release.
“We are taking thoughtful steps to ensure girls’ sports are fair and athletes are safe,” Lombardo, who’s seeking re-election, said in a statement. “It’s important that female athletes have the opportunity to succeed in their athletic field. By bringing together a diverse coalition now, we can establish clear and fair standards that protect generations of female athletes to come.”
If the measure gathers enough signatures to qualify for a statewide vote, it would first be on the 2026 ballot as a question, then return to the 2028 ballot for final approval before being added to the constitution.
&#8220;Title IX was instituted for a reason – to create a level playing field so that girls and boys have an equal chance to succeed in our schools,&#8221; petition initiative director Adriana Guzmán Fralick said in a statement. &#8220;But there has been an attack on girls’ athletics that seeks to disrupt that equality. The people of Nevada do not support this, and I’m proud to help them make their voice heard on this issue at the ballot box.”
The issue is already a hot topic on the campaign trail, as Attorney General Aaron Ford, who is seeking the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, said he does not personally believe athletes who identify as transgender should compete in women&#8217;s sports, but nevertheless opposes the ballot initiative, according to the <a href="https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/lombardo-to-lead-2026-ballot-initiative-to-keep-transgender-athletes-out-of-female-sports" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nevada Independent</a>.
“My faith teaches me that every person is a child of God and deserves to be treated with humanity, dignity, and respect,” the Democrat stated, according to the outlet. “And as Attorney General, I will continue defending the constitutional rights of every Nevadan.&#8221;
On December 23, Ford was listed on an amicus brief in a Minnesota case challenging a ban on transgender-identifying athletes. The <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/FAUvEllison_StatesAmicusBrief_AsFiled.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brief</a> states that &#8220;discrimination against transgender youth—including denying them the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities consistent with their gender identity—can have serious health consequences.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrats-now-think-transgenderism-is-a-winning-issue-itll-be-put-to-the-test-in-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported that Ford signed onto a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals amicus brief in 2023 regarding two minors who identified as transgender, and whether or not they could play on a girls&#8217; sports team in Arizona.
“Plaintiffs simply want to participate on their school’s girl’s sports teams with their friends,” the brief said.
“They have not experienced any of the physiological changes associated with male puberty and have no ascertainable competitive advantage over their cisgender peers,” it continued, saying that the plaintiffs identified as “girls in all aspects of their lives since an early age.”
He also signed on to a 2022 amicus brief challenging an Arkansas law on “gender-affirming treatment” for minors.
“We must protect our children from discriminatory laws that bar access to necessary, gender-affirming health care,” Ford stated in 2022. &#8220;Over and over again, evidence has shown that denying transgender youth access to gender-affirming care has a detrimental effect to their mental health and quality of life.”
The Daily Wire reached out to the Ford campaign. At the national level, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Tuesday in cases related to the issue.

Joe Lombardo Makes His First Public Statement Since Being Declared Winner Of Nevada Gubernatorial Race

Nevada Governor’s Race Shaped By Potential Transgender Ballot Measure

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Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will hear a case about trans-identifying boys participating in girls’ sports. A West Virginia law is at the center of the hearing.
The Daily Wire has been at the forefront of the battle over gender ideology. Exhibit A: Matt Walsh’s groundbreaking documentary What Is A Woman?
It’s one thing for an adult to fight the good fight and entirely another for an eighth-grade girl to take a stand.
They say this case will affect laws in 27 states. But it’s already directly affected the life of one young girl in West Virginia.
Here she is in her own words. — Joel Kneedler
* * *
Eighth grade. The year when most girls are making core memories with friends and preparing for that exciting, albeit scary, transition to high school. But for me, that year was frustrating and uncomfortable.
As a young female athlete, I lost out on the opportunity to compete in West Virginia’s Mid-Mountain Championship track-and-field meet and had to endure sexually harassing comments from a male athlete who was allowed to join the girls’ team at my middle school.
Now, I’m 17 years old and eagerly looking to the U.S. Supreme Court as it hears — for the first time — why it should protect female athletes and affirm the biological reality that boys and girls are different.
<div id="attachment_1026433" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1026433" class="size-large wp-image-1026433" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/West-Virginia-II-864x576.jpg" alt="Credit: Adaleia Cross." width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/West-Virginia-II-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/West-Virginia-II-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/West-Virginia-II-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/West-Virginia-II.jpg 900w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: Adaleia Cross.</div>
The Court is considering two cases: <a href="https://adflegal.org/case/bpj-v-west-virginia-state-board-education/?utm_source=dailywire&amp;utm_medium=oped">one</a> being litigated by Attorney General JB McCuskey of my home state of West Virginia and <a href="https://adflegal.org/case/little-v-hecox/?utm_source=dailywire&amp;utm_medium=oped">another</a> led by Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador. Both states are joined by legal counsel from Alliance Defending Freedom, which has represented me in other cases. These states enacted laws to restore common sense, fairness, and safety in women’s sports. Shortly afterward, however, activists who believe that boys should be able to compete against girls challenged both laws. The lawsuit in my state was brought on behalf of the male athlete competing on my girls’ track-and-field team.
That athlete displaced 423 different girls 1,100 times and took 57 medals from them. Those young women will never get those opportunities back. And that’s just one athlete. Other girls and women across the country, from middle school to college to the Olympics, continue to tell their stories of bravely choosing to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-female-fencer-and-trans-supporting-usa-fencing-head-face-off-at-heated-doge-hearing">forfeit games</a> or matches in defense of biological truth. Or they talk about the heartache of losing to males who take roster spots and stand on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/cheated-betrayed-and-violated-riley-gaines-reflects-on-journey-to-protect-girls-sports?author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=%E2%80%98Cheated%2C+Betrayed%2C+And+Violated%E2%80%99%3A+Riley+Gaines+Reflects+On+Journey+To+Protect+Girls+Sports">winner podiums</a> meant for girls.
Until April 2023, I was in the top three on my team for discus in both seventh and eighth grade. I was usually in the top three or four for shot put as well. But that changed when the male started beating me.
It felt strange to be kicked out of my events because I had always gotten to compete before. I felt angry and discouraged that a male athlete took my spot. But I also felt like I couldn’t say anything about it. If I complained, I was made to feel like the problem for feeling uncomfortable and recognizing the unfairness. I felt like I had to suck it up and live with it. I felt unheard and unseen.
It’s extremely frustrating to know that no matter how hard I work, I will not be able to throw farther than the male athlete. Being excluded from a competition before it even begins is discouraging; I am obviously not as strong and athletic as most boys my age. It makes me so angry that I do not even have a chance to win. I want to scream, “Why am I even here?”
In fact, I’ve decided not to compete in track and field in high school because of the male athletes’ participation. 
It’s frustrating that I have to give up the sport I love — and excel at — because school officials have allowed males to compete with the girls. A male’s belief about his gender doesn’t erase the physical advantages over females.
Losing opportunities to compete at higher levels is very frustrating, but even worse was having to endure the athlete’s sexual, vulgar comments directed at me. Not to mention having to share a locker room. No girl should be forced to change in front of a boy or share such intimate spaces with the opposite sex.
In sports, biology matters. In life, it does too.
Gender ideology is full of lies that hurt real people. Believing that a male can erase physical differences with drugs impacts so much more than just girls’ sports. Women deserve their own spaces. Men don’t belong in women’s showers, restrooms, locker rooms, overnight school trips, prisons, or shelters.
All this weighs heavily on my heart, not just for me, but for my little sister, who is an incredible athlete.
<div id="attachment_1026429" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1026429" class="size-large wp-image-1026429" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-14-864x576.jpg" alt="Credit: Adaleia Cross." width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-14-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-14-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-14-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/01/Untitled-design-14.jpg 900w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: Adaleia Cross.</div>
It’s not true that a man can be a woman. If we want a society that respects women, we must accept that reality. Title IX was designed to guarantee equal opportunity for women. We can’t go backward. 
 
I may only be one voice from West Virginia, but I know I stand on the shoulders of trailblazers who have championed women’s rights for years. And today, I join a new chorus of women — we’re young and paying attention. We’re also grateful for this incredible opportunity to ask the Supreme Court to listen to our stories and allow states to defend biological reality, fairness, and female athletes.
 * * * 
 
Adaleia Cross is a West Virginia high school student.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
* * *
<h3>WATCH: Matt Walsh’s “What Is A Woman?” on DailyWire+</h3>
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/videos/what-is-a-woman?elementPosition=3&amp;row=6&amp;rowHeadline=Featured&amp;rowType=Portrait+Show+Carousel"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-805851" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/MixCollage-01-Oct-2024-04-20-PM-2436-1024x576.jpg" alt="What is a Woman?" width="1024" height="576" /></a>

MixCollage-12-Jan-2026-08-52-AM-2830

I’m One Of The Girls Title IX Was Meant To Protect

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Fernando Mendoza has made a name for himself. You can call the Indiana quarterback &#8220;Heisman Winner,&#8221; &#8220;Player of the Year,&#8221; or by the nearly dozen other awards the junior has won from his record-setting season. Mendoza is using his name in this new Name, Image, and Likeness era to make millions, but he&#8217;s also using it to fight multiple sclerosis, a disease his mom Elsa has battled for 18 years.
With the help of local restaurants in Bloomington, Indiana, Mendoza is raising money for MS through the National MS Society.
The quarterback teamed up with BuffaLouie&#8217;s to make the &#8220;Mendoza Bros. Burger&#8221; and Gable&#8217;s Bagels for the &#8220;Mendoza Bros. Cubano.&#8221; Proceeds from both of those items go directly to the National MS Society.
&#8220;My mom means the world to me,&#8221; Mendoza said on his fundraiser <a href="https://events.nationalmssociety.org/participants/FernandoMendoza">site</a>. &#8220;She’s the most caring and positive person I know, and I’ll keep doing everything I can to support her and others living with MS.&#8221;
Mendoza&#8217;s goal is to raise $150,000 for the foundation. He has received $144,443 so far through his campaign.
In a letter penned to <a href="https://www.theplayerstribune.com/fernando-mendoza-elsa-mom-ncaa-football-indiana-hoosiers">The Players&#8217; Tribune</a>, Elsa said her son has helped her not feel embarrassed about the degenerative disease.
&#8220;When you have to carry me up the stairs, you’ve always kept that same spark in your eye,&#8221; Elsa wrote. &#8220;No matter what kind of state I’ve been in, or day I’ve been having, you’ve never once looked away. You’ve never once treated me like I’m embarrassing, or deficient, or anything other than someone you love and are standing by.&#8221;
In the emotional letter, Elsa opened up about raising Mendoza as a young mom in Boston. She said her firstborn always felt like her closest buddy. Together, the two navigated the Miami native&#8217;s first Boston winter. All these years later, Mendoza is still helping his mom, just in different ways.
&#8220;Even as my condition has gotten worse, and as our lives continue to change around that fact. You manage to make me feel like I’m still every part of myself,&#8221; Elsa said. &#8220;Like I’m still that same person you’ve been teammates with since we got through our first Boston winter together. Like I’m still that same mom.&#8221;
Their bond took center stage at the Heisman ceremony in December, where Mendoza, through tear-filled eyes, dedicated the trophy to his mom.
&#8220;Mommy, this is your trophy as much as mine. You&#8217;ve always been my biggest fan. You&#8217;re my light. You&#8217;re my why. You&#8217;re my biggest supporter. Your sacrifices, courage, love, those have been my first playbook and the playbook that I&#8217;m going to carry through my entire life. You taught me that toughness doesn&#8217;t need to be loud. It can be quiet and strong. It&#8217;s choosing hope. It&#8217;s believing in yourself when the world doesn&#8217;t give you much reason to. Together, you and I are rewriting what people think is impossible. I love you.&#8221;
Mendoza said he&#8217;s using his platform to achieve his goal of &#8220;a world free of MS.&#8221;
&#8220;The money raised through this campaign will help fund MS research, programs, and services so people affected by MS can live their best lives.&#8221;
Mendoza is arguably living his best life right now as he gears up to take on Oregon in the College Football Playoff semifinal Friday night. He credits the success he and Indiana are having this season to his mom.
&#8220;To see her optimistic and positive approach with all that she&#8217;s battling has given myself no excuse for complacency throughout my life — whether it&#8217;s academics or football,&#8221; Mendoza said on a recent <a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/HpN2MEnKoD4?si=DXGcv7bl2wba38FL">podcast</a>. &#8220;To see her fight and see her struggle and then get better &#8230; it&#8217;s been so inspiring to myself.&#8221;
When Mendoza takes the field against Oregon, the spotlight will shine bright on college football&#8217;s best player, and he embraces it — knowing he&#8217;s making an impact for his mom, the person he cares about most.

Credit: CFP via Getty Images

Indiana’s Heisman QB Fernando Mendoza Fights For Wins On The Field While Leading The Fight Against MS

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