Diego Pavia rescued Vanderbilt from the dark basement of the SEC, making it a conference competitor. However, after Heisman voters didn't recognize the QB for leading the Commodores to their first 10-win season, he took to Instagram Stories Saturday night following the ceremony to express his disappointment.
Videos by Wide Open Country
"F-ALL THE VOTERS," he wrote, adding a thumbs-down emoji over a post from comedian (and possible future step-father) Theo Von. He concluded, "But ..... Family for life." The post was later removed.
Possibly realizing his disappointment might overshadow both his team's achievements and Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza's victory, Pavia issued an apology on X on Sunday.
What Were the Heisman Voting Results?
Pavia finished a very distant runner-up in Heisman voting. He received 189 first-place votes and 1,435 points. To compare, Mendoza won with 643 first-place votes and 2,362 points.
Mendoza took the Hoosiers to the top of the College Football Playoff bracket by completing 71.5 percent of his passes for 2,980 yards and 33 touchdowns. The Hoosiers have a perfect 13-0 record.
Pavia was no slouch, though. He completed 71.2 percent of his passes for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns. Pavia also ran 826 yards for nine touchdowns. The Commodores will take on Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.
What Did Diego Pavia Say in His Apology?
Looking at the stats, one can see why Pavia was frustrated. He (and his brothers) are extremely competitive, as evidenced by an argument he had with an Alabama fan in October. The QB shared as much in his apology.
"To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful," Pavia wrote. "I didn't handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to. 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.
"Fernando Mendoza is an elite competitor and a deserving winner of the award. I have nothing but respect for his accomplishments as well as the success that Jeremiyah and Julian had this season," he added, referencing Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State's Julian Sayin.
Pavia concluded with this: "I've been doubted my whole life. Every step of my journey I've had to break down doors and fight for myself, because I've learned that nothing would be handed to me. My family has always been in my corner, and my teammates, coaches and staff have my six. I love them — I am grateful for them. — and I wouldn't want anything to distract from that. I look forward to competing in front of my family and with my team one more time in the ReliaQuest Bowl."
Pavia's original post is below.
