Vanderbilts Diego Pavia apologizes for NSFW message to Heisman voters

Published: Monday, December 15, 2025 at 3:26 am

Vanderbilt Quarterback Diego Pavia Apologizes for Social Media Post Following Heisman Ceremony

Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia has issued a public apology following a controversial social media post made after the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Pavia, who finished second in the Heisman voting, expressed remorse for a profane message directed at Heisman voters on his Instagram story. The post, which has since been deleted, included a vulgar phrase and a thumbs-down emoji.

In a statement released on X, formerly Twitter, Pavia acknowledged that his disappointment got the better of him. He stated that being a finalist was an honor, but the loss was painful. He expressed respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, admitting his reaction was disrespectful and a mistake.

Pavia's frustration stemmed from finishing second to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. He lauded Mendoza as a deserving winner and acknowledged the accomplishments of other finalists.

The apology comes after a historic season for Pavia and the Vanderbilt Commodores. Pavia, a former junior college player, led Vanderbilt to its first-ever 10-win season. He completed 71.2% of his passes for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns, leading the SEC in passing touchdowns. He became the program's first Heisman finalist.

Pavia is now looking ahead to the ReliaQuest Bowl against Iowa on December 31st. His apology appears to be an effort to move past the controversy and refocus on his team's achievements and their final game together.

BNN's Perspective: While Pavia's initial reaction was regrettable, his swift apology and acknowledgement of his mistake are commendable. It's understandable that emotions run high in such a competitive environment. His focus on his team's upcoming bowl game suggests a desire to learn from the experience and finish his season on a positive note.

Keywords: Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt, Heisman Trophy, Fernando Mendoza, apology, social media, Instagram, ReliaQuest Bowl, college football, Commodores, quarterback, football, sports, controversy, SEC, Iowa

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