Heisman Voter Condemns Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia’s Profane Critique of Trophy Voters
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The fallout from the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting took a sharp turn this week when Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s profane dismissal of the voters drew a blistering response from one of the award’s selectors. Pavia, who finished a distant second to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, posted an Instagram story captioned “F— all the voters,” igniting controversy and prompting a fiery column from Heisman voter Chase Goodbread of The Tuscaloosa News.
Goodbread, who holds a vote for the prestigious college football award, did not mince words in his critique. Writing for a major sports outlet, he labeled Pavia’s outburst a “punk move” and “jackassery,” emphasizing that the quarterback, now a seasoned college athlete with multiple degrees and significant NIL earnings, should have known better. “After 6 years in college, you’d think Pavia would’ve signed up for at least one course in humility by now,” Goodbread wrote.
Despite Pavia’s subsequent apology on X (formerly Twitter), Goodbread remained unimpressed, underscoring that the quarterback’s behavior failed to reflect the maturity expected from someone in his position. “He’s a big boy now,” Goodbread added, referencing Pavia’s extended collegiate career and legal battles to gain extra eligibility.
The Vanderbilt athletic director, Candice Lee, issued a statement acknowledging the quarterback’s misstep. “Diego knows his actions were unacceptable, and he has apologized,” Lee told The Tennessean. “I know he is contrite and regrets the hurt he caused. He is a passionate and authentic competitor, and while his authenticity has been nurtured and celebrated here, it does not change the responsibility that comes with representing Vanderbilt University.” Lee affirmed the university’s commitment to supporting Pavia’s growth and accountability.
In the 2025 Heisman voting, Mendoza secured 643 first-place votes to Pavia’s 189, a significant margin that underscored the voters’ clear preference. Pavia’s frustration appeared to stem from this decisive outcome, but his public rebuke of the voters has overshadowed his on-field accomplishments.
The Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football, relies on a nationwide panel of sports journalists and former winners to cast votes. The Heisman Trust maintains strict standards of conduct for candidates and voters alike, emphasizing sportsmanship and respect.
Goodbread’s column, widely circulated among sports media, has sparked a broader conversation about athlete conduct in the age of social media and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) monetization. As college athletes increasingly navigate public scrutiny and commercial pressures, the expectations for professionalism remain high.
For his part, Pavia’s apology on X acknowledged the inappropriateness of his language and expressed regret. However, the incident serves as a reminder that even celebrated athletes must balance passion with decorum, especially when representing their institutions on a national stage.
As Vanderbilt and Pavia move forward, the episode highlights the ongoing challenges within college sports culture, where talent and temperament must coexist. The NCAA continues to monitor athlete conduct closely, reinforcing policies that promote respect and accountability.
With the college football season concluded and the Heisman Trophy awarded, the focus now shifts to how Pavia and Vanderbilt will learn from this moment, ensuring that future communications reflect the maturity and integrity expected of collegiate athletes.
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