Fernando Mendoza’s Planet Fitness Ad Sparks Viral Frenzy - and Raises Eyebrows in Bloomington
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana’s star quarterback and 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, is no stranger to the spotlight. But this week, it wasn’t a game-winning drive or another highlight-reel throw that had fans buzzing - it was a Planet Fitness commercial.
In the ad, Mendoza is seen working out at the gym chain before casually dropping a line that he’d been kicked out of Indiana’s football facilities. It’s clearly played for laughs - a tongue-in-cheek nod to recent reports of tension between Mendoza and new head coach Curt Cignetti. But in the world of college football, where every move by a star player is magnified, the reaction was anything but casual.
The Joke That Set Off a Firestorm
The commercial was meant to be lighthearted, and in many ways, it delivered. Mendoza leaned into the narrative that’s been swirling around him - that he was removed from team facilities - and turned it into a punchline. But not everyone was laughing.
Social media lit up almost immediately. Some fans applauded Mendoza for his self-awareness and confidence, embracing the humor in a situation that could’ve easily been tense or uncomfortable. Others took a more critical stance, questioning whether the ad downplayed what could be a serious matter involving team discipline or internal dynamics under Cignetti’s leadership.
The comments ranged from playful to pointed. One fan quipped, “Dude.
You ain’t gonna get where you need to get at Planet Fitness.” Another wrote, “If this was real, that would be so disrespectful to a guy who just led you to an undefeated season and won a national championship lol.
Get that boy ready for the draft - come on, let him work out, coach.”
And then there were the memes. Plenty of them.
Mendoza in a Planet Fitness 1/4 zip. Jokes about him asking strangers for a spot.
Even Planet Fitness’ official account got in on the action, replying, “Always got a spot for you Fernando.”
A Heisman Winner in the Middle of a PR Moment
For Mendoza, this isn’t just about a commercial - it’s another chapter in a high-profile offseason. After leading Indiana to a national championship and capturing the Heisman, he’s become one of the most recognizable names in college football. With that visibility comes scrutiny, and this ad put him back under the microscope.
Some fans viewed the moment as a savvy move - a Heisman winner cashing in on his name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights while showing he’s not afraid to laugh at himself. Others, particularly within the Indiana fanbase, voiced concern about what the ad might say about the program’s internal dynamics. Was it just a joke, or did it reflect deeper tensions between Mendoza and the new coaching staff?
That’s the line Mendoza is walking now - navigating the balance between brand-building and team culture, between being a college athlete and a public figure.
What It Means Moving Forward
Regardless of where you land on the ad - whether you saw it as clever marketing or a misstep - one thing is clear: Fernando Mendoza is still commanding attention. In an era where college athletes are brands unto themselves, this moment underscores just how quickly the conversation can shift from football to optics.
And while we don’t know exactly what’s happening behind closed doors in Bloomington, the public reaction to this ad shows that Mendoza’s every move is going to be dissected - on and off the field.
Whether this becomes a footnote in his journey to the NFL or a flashpoint in his relationship with Indiana’s new regime remains to be seen. But for now, one thing’s for sure: Fernando Mendoza knows how to keep the college football world talking.