138-year Heisman Trophy wait finally goes in favor of Indiana's Fernando Mendoza

The Heisman Trophy ceremony has come and gone, but the bigger takeway from Saturday night's New York City festivities may not exactly be why Fernando Mendoza became the newest member of college football's greatest fraternity group, but rather the historical significance of Mendoza's once-unfathomable achievement.

A two-star recruit out of high school, Mendoza took a risk this past off-season by utilizing his next portion of eligibility to take a chance on the Indiana Hoosiers and coach Curt Cignetti after spending much of his career at Cal-Berkley where things weren't easy both on and off the field.

As evidenced by the heartfelt, emotional message Mendoza gave his mom as he accepted his trophy, this was more than just a personal milestone: it will be engrained in college football history forever.

"God, I'm at a loss of words," Mendoza began. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to everybody. Thank you to everybody. First, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to chase a dream that once felt a world away standing here tonight, holding this holding this bad boy representing Indiana University still doesn't feel real."

Mendoza went on to thank every teammate and coach who guided him on his journey to the top of the sport. But with the holiday season looming, his family's words couldn't have been more eloquently stated.

"Mommy, this is your trophy as much as mine. You've always been my biggest fan," Mendoza said. "You're my light. You're my why. You're my biggest supporter. Your sacrifice is courage, love. Those have been my first playbook, and the playbook that I'm gonna carry through my side through my entire life. You taught me that toughness doesn't need to be loud."

His mom wasn't the only family anchor who got a shoutout.

"Papi—Thank you for grounding me," Mendoza said. "Thank you for holding me accountable when it was always tough. And reminding me that talent means nothing without discipline and consistency. While I'm playing a team game, you I'm learning to grow into a man and you partner personified commitment. You picked all of us up whenever we needed it most."

And for anyone struggling to believe in their purpose, just as the Hoosiers had waited 138 years for one of their players to be identified as college football's best player, Mendoza had a truly heard-hitting final word.

"This is an important an important one," Mendoza said about winning the Heisman Trophy. "I want every kid out there who feels overlooked, underestimated to know I was you. I was that kid too. I was in your shoes. The truth is, you don't need the most stars, hype or rankings. You just need discipline, heart and people who believe in you and you need to believe in your own abilities. I hope this moment shows you that chasing your dreams are worth it, no matter how big or impossible they seem."

With the College Football Playoff looming, the Hoosiers story added another layer of memorable proportions.

We'll find out in a few weeks if it continues for them.