N.W. Grochow

Simple Man

[Colorado Avalanche @Avalanche]

We have drafted defenseman Theodore Lechner to the Colorado Avalanche organization!

[NSPN - Minnesota @NSPNminnesota]

STATE CHAMPS 🏆

Bloomington Jefferson (@jeffjaguars) wins the Class 4A state softball title in extra innings!

Watch the full game here ➡️ https://t.co/R2t9PKf8Yv

[Jefferson Jaguars @jeffjaguars]

Jags are state champs. 1-0. Grace is a gamer! Well done!

[JustBeGr8 Foundation @Justbegr8_]

💐 Just in time for Mother’s Day 💐

✨ Shine Bright & Give Back! ✨

Join us for a special Kendra Scott Gives Back Shopping Event supporting the Just Be Gr8 Foundation! Happy Ordering!

#JustBeGr8
#justbegr8foundation
#communitysupport
#spinalcordinjuries
#payitforward

[ESPN @espn]

MINNESOTA MAGIC! 💫

[Jefferson Jaguars @jeffjaguars]

Jags heading to participate at the next level next year!

[Bloomington Public Schools @bps271]

After leading the Jefferson @JagHockey boys hockey team to a standout 17-6-3 season, head coach Matt Elsen was named the Section 2AA Head Coach of the Year by the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association. Read more: https://t.co/rABQzgZG7S

[USA Hockey @usahockey]

Cue Free Bird for Farmer's 🎩🎩🎩

#WinterParalympics

[Pulltab Sports @PulltabSports]

2026 Minnesota State High School All Hockey Hair Team Presented by DripDrop.

Experience all the gold medal salad from Saint Paul and see who earned their spot on the FLOWdium. Pulltab Sports is hosting an Olympic themed hockey hair-a-lympics, and you’re invited to see all that salad shenanigans from the greatest high school tournament on earth. Special thanks to presenting sponsor DripDrop, the hydration choice for next gen athletes. Visit https://t.co/yCnJ4I41UG for doctor formulated, fast hydration that tastes great. And please consider making a donation to the Hendrickson Foundation at https://t.co/Jwhwy0483o supporting sled, special, military, blind, deaf and hard of hearing hockey in Minnesota.

[Chrissy Grochow @cgrochow]

Wrapped up an amazing senior hockey season last night. Such a great group of boys. Proud of you @grochow_gavin!!

[Bemidji State Hoops @BSUBeaversWBB]

Kassandra Caron named All-NSIC Second Team

https://t.co/AgkY8BFxrm

#GoBeavers #BeaverTerritory

[Jefferson HS Boys Hockey @JagHockey]

Jags vs Waconia
⏰JV 1:00pm, Varsity 3:00pm
📍Bloomington Ice Garden
🎟️ https://t.co/7Bv2CiVAJw
📺 https://t.co/M10m1Fl4k9

[Tyler McGovern @McgovernTyler22]

Here some video from the off season!
I have really been working Hard on sitting in my back leg, using my led leg to block. 1% better everyday.

[Legacy Hockey @Legacy_Hockey]

Final: Bloomington Jefferson 5, Benilde-St. Margaret's 1
Scoreboard: https://t.co/nqqVSTkSTe

[Prep Redzone Minnesota @PrepRedzoneMN]

@JagsFB 6’ 205 lb. Senior DE Gavin Grochow commits to play #d3fb for @BethelRoyalsFB!

Congrats from @PrepRedzoneMN, Gavin! Go Royals!

@OJW_Scouting @MiacFtbl

[Coach Woody M.Ed @CoachWoodyJagFB]

@BethelRoyalsFB I want you to know I have never been blessed with a better leader who SHINES on and off the field.

No better example of the 810 mindset.

Congratulations @grochow_gavin

Roll Jags 810 SHINE!

[DK🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸 @1Nicdar]

130 schools said no.
He led the losingest program in college football history to a national championship anyway.
Fernando Mendoza was a 2-star recruit from Miami.

He tried to walk on at his hometown school. They passed.
So did FIU.
So did FAU.
So did everyone else.

At 17, he was sitting in his bedroom, crying over a silent recruiting inbox—after driving to 18 camps with his dad and sending highlights to more than 100 programs.
Not one FBS offer.
His only option? Yale. No scholarship. No NFL path.

Everyone told him to be “realistic.”
“Know your place.”
“Be grateful.”
He didn’t listen.
Because Mendoza understood something most people miss:
The worst outcome isn’t failing.
It’s never getting the chance to try.

Two weeks before signing day in 2022, his phone rang.
Cal needed a body. One offer. Out of 134 schools.
He took it.
He arrived as the third-string quarterback.
Spent a year on the scout team.
Lost his first four starts.
Got sacked 41 times behind a broken offensive line.

Still got up. Every time.
Then Cal brought in a transfer instead of building around him.
So Mendoza left the only school that had ever said yes.
He transferred to Indiana—the losingest program in college football history.

People laughed.
“Career suicide.”
“Graveyard program.”
“Nobody wins there.”
One coach told him something different:
“I’m going to make you the best Fernando Mendoza possible.”
That was enough.
Mendoza wasn’t just playing for football.
His mother has battled multiple sclerosis for 18 years.

Before every snap, he thought of her.
“My mother is my why.”
Indiana went 16–0.
Beat six Top-10 teams.
Won their first Big Ten title since 1945.
Mendoza threw 41 touchdowns.
Won the Heisman—first in school history.
First Cuban-American to ever do it.

Then came the title game.
Miami. Near his hometown.
Fourth-and-4. Season on the line.
Quarterback draw.
The kid 134 schools rejected spun through defenders and dove into the end zone.

Game over.
Indiana—national champions.
The losingest program became the best team in America.
All because a 17-year-old refused to believe “no” was the end.

Rankings don’t decide your ceiling.
Gatekeepers don’t write your ending.
Being overlooked isn’t a verdict—it’s a starting point.

Sometimes all you need is one shot…
and the courage to bet on yourself when nobody else will.
Don’t quit.

Credit: Barclay Mullins

[Gavin Grochow @grochow_gavin]

#commited

[Jefferson HS Boys Hockey @JagHockey]

Jags vs Holy Family
⏰JV 5:00pm, Varsity 7:00pm
📍Bloomington Ice Garden
🎟️ https://t.co/7Bv2CiW8z4
📺 https://t.co/YvTD3TozsN

[Jefferson HS Boys Hockey @JagHockey]

Jags vs Armstrong Cooper
⏰JV 5:00pm, Varsity 7:00pm
📍New Hope Ice Arena
🎟️ at the door
📺 MN Hockey TV