Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza arrives at the adidas store in New York this morning for the shopping spree he organized for four families impacted by MS
“My gentle giant. My darling son. My buddy. My teammate. I believe in you with every part of me.”
For Fernando, from his mother, Elsa. ❤️ https://t.co/aDKpXpJ4TO
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
He made me the man I am.
He taught me the world had it backwards, that coaching is inside out, not outside in.
He taught me when you build the mind and spirit of an athlete you’ll get his best physically.
He put his arm around me when I was broken and showed me the way out.
He wasn’t easy to play QB for, we often disagreed, but I never questioned his heart or his intention for me.
I’ve cried many tears over the last 48 hours thinking about Coach in this moment right now. Because what is hard to know without knowing him is money doesn’t matter to this man. A buyout means nothing. A man who bled blue and white, grew up a fan, feels as a result of being fired, like he failed.
I just want him and the world to know this man did not fail. I’m not disputing the decision, today is just a sad day in college football because one of the true leaders of men authentically down to his heart got let go. College football is better with James Franklin in it.
But, just as he taught me, he didn’t lose. He won big, in every way that this world, & God, truly value. His ripple will never truly get its justice. And that’s not because Penn St did anything wrong, it’s because Coach Franklin’s impact can’t be measured.
That’s the truth. Love you Coach 🫡