Diego Pavia had every reason to feel the weight of disappointment after finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting this past weekend. The Vanderbilt quarterback, who had a stellar season by any measure, came up just short of the sport’s most prestigious individual honor, with the award going to Fernando Mendoza. But it wasn’t the runner-up finish that made headlines - it was what came next.
Pavia took to social media shortly after the ceremony with a blunt, emotional message: “f- all the [Heisman] voters.” The post, which appeared to be made from a nightclub, quickly sparked backlash across the college football world.
Less than 24 hours later, Pavia issued an apology, calling it a “disrespectful comment.” But the damage, at least in the eyes of many, had already been done.
Among those not buying the apology at face value? 2010 Heisman winner and current analyst Cam Newton. On Monday’s episode of First Take, Newton didn’t hold back.
“I’m one of those [Heisman] voters, Diego,” Newton said. “Bro, that was classless.
That was senseless. And to be in the position that you’re in… having aspirations to go to the NFL Draft.
To not think that this will be brought up is terrible.”
Newton's comments weren’t just about the post itself - they were about the bigger picture. About maturity.
About leadership. About understanding the spotlight that comes with being a potential face of an NFL franchise.
And in Newton’s eyes, Pavia fumbled a key moment.
“Everything is not supposed to be publicized or posted… you don’t get no cool points for saying that,” Newton added. “You don’t handle business like that, especially if you want to be a potential franchise quarterback.”
It’s a tough lesson for Pavia, who has shown plenty of fire on the field but now finds himself navigating the off-field challenges that come with high-profile success. The Heisman ceremony is supposed to be a celebration - a moment to reflect on a season of excellence. But for Pavia, it turned into a reminder that how you handle adversity is just as important as how you handle victory.
Now, all eyes turn to the ReliaQuest Bowl, where Pavia will suit up one last time for Vanderbilt. The Commodores face Iowa on Wednesday, Dec. 31, with kickoff set for 12:00 p.m.
ET on ESPN. For Pavia, it’s a chance to close out his college career on a high note - and perhaps begin reshaping the narrative heading into NFL Draft season.
The tools are there. The talent is undeniable.
But in today’s game, especially at the quarterback position, the intangibles matter just as much. And as Cam Newton made clear, NFL teams are watching everything - not just the tape.