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College Football Player Apologizes After Reaction to Heisman Trophy Vote
Diego Pavia, a quarterback for Vanderbilt University, has apologized for his reaction after learning he finished second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. The Heisman Trophy is given to the best college football player each year.
Pavia initially responded to the results with an angry message on social media. He has since removed the post and issued a formal apology.
Chase Goodbread, a Heisman Trophy voter from The Tuscaloosa News, wrote a piece discussing Pavia’s initial reaction. Goodbread wasn’t impressed by Pavia’s initial outburst, pointing to Pavia’s age and experience. He suggested that Pavia should be able to handle criticism more gracefully.
The voting results showed Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza receiving 643 first-place votes, while Pavia received 189.
Vanderbilt’s athletic director, Candice Lee, also released a statement acknowledging Pavia’s actions. She said that Pavia understands his behavior was unacceptable and has apologized. Lee emphasized that while Pavia’s passion is valued, he has a responsibility to represent Vanderbilt University well. She said the university will support Pavia as he learns from the situation.
Pavia issued his apology on social media, stating that he didn’t handle his emotions well and didn’t represent himself the way he intended. He expressed respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, apologizing for being disrespectful. He also acknowledged Mendoza as a deserving winner and praised the success of other nominees.
Pavia highlighted his journey of overcoming doubt and fighting for his opportunities, expressing gratitude for his family, teammates, and coaches. He said he looks forward to competing with his team in their upcoming bowl game.
In his second season at Vanderbilt, Pavia led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with a 71.2% completion rate. He threw for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns, adding nine rushing touchdowns. He also rushed for 826 yards.
Before his apology, Pavia had expressed strong confidence in his own abilities, even stating that he believed himself to be the best player in college football. He pointed to his statistics and game performances as evidence.
Vanderbilt concluded the year with a 10-2 record, holding a No. 14 national ranking at the end of the regular season. The team is preparing to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
