Who is Alberto Mendoza? All about Heisman Trophy contender Fernando Mendoza’s younger brother

As the countdown for the Heisman Trophy 2025 result nears its ends, here is everything you need to know about Fernando Mendoza's mother.

Elsa, a former tennis player at the University of Miami, has always been her son’s biggest motivator. From teaching him how to throw a football as a child to encouraging him during his recruitment struggles, Elsa has been central to Fernando’s journey, reported The Daily Californian.

In 2014, Elsa was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition affecting the central nervous system. Today, she uses a wheelchair but continues to attend her son’s games. Earlier this year, Mendoza explained to Fox Sports how his mother inspires him and said, “She battles it every single day, and she is my light and my inspiration, because no matter what, no matter how hard it gets, she always maintains this unwavering positivity and influence in our lives.”