Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, and the Night the Heisman Changed Lives

45 Floors Up, a Life Changed Forever

I’ve been around the Heisman Trophy for more than 20 years.

I still remember the winter of 2003, when my college roommate Larry Fitzgerald found himself in New York City as a finalist. He finished second that night to Oklahoma quarterback Jason White.

When Larry arrived back on the Pitt campus, I recall telling him how incredible it was for him to be second place in the Heisman Trophy.
“Larry, don’t be bummed, it’s awesome!”

He looked at me, paused, and what he said next landed.

“Thanks Yogi...But if you win it, it changes your life forever.”

At the time, I didn’t fully understand what he meant.

But that sentence never left me.

As a young coach, I came back to New York when Reggie Bush won it in 2005. That night, I walked into the after-party and found myself shoulder-to-shoulder with Steve Spurrier, Barry Sanders, Gino Torretta, Eddie George, Charles Woodson, Eric Crouch and so many others.

That’s when it hit me—This isn’t just an award.

It’s the greatest fraternity in all of sports.