Fernando Mendoza wins Big Ten's Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year award
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 9, 2026, 3:10 AM
Last updated Jul 9, 2026
Fernando Mendoza, the former quarterback at Indiana University, has been named the Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year for the 2025-26 season by the Big Ten. This recognition adds to Mendoza's impressive accolades, following a perfect 16-0 season and the university's first football national championship. He also became Indiana's first Heisman Trophy winner and was the first overall selection in the NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza is the sixth Hoosier to receive this honor since its inception in 1982.
- •Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect 16-0 record.
- •He was named Indiana's first Heisman Trophy winner.
- •Mendoza was the first overall pick in the NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.
- •He is the sixth Hoosier to win the Jesse Owens Award.
- •Previous Hoosier winners include Jim Spivey and Steve Alford.
- 3:10 AMYahoo Sports — Fernando Mendoza named Big Ten's Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year
"Add another award to Fernando Mendoza's trophy case. The Big Ten announced on Wednesday the former Indiana University quarterback was named the Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year for the 2025-26 season. According to IU, Mendoza is the sixth Hoosier to earn the award and the second Indiana football player to receive the honor.
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