Vanderbilt’s Pavia runs reverse, apologizes for social media post

Quarterback wrote a profane criticism of Heisman voters after finishing as runner-up.

- By CHUCK SCHILKEN

EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ Associated Press DIEGO PAVIA says he was "disrespectful" for his comments after Saturday's Heisman Trophy ceremony.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia finished second in Heisman Trophy voting to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

That, of course, is quite an accomplishment.

But Pavia apparently felt otherwise. After the results were announced Saturday in New York, the 23-year-old senior posted a photo of himself with his offensive linemen on his Instagram Stories and gave it a profane caption critical of the Heisman Trophy voters.

On Sunday night, Pavia posted a lengthy apology on X.

“Being a part of the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist was such an honor,” he wrote. “As a competitor, just like in everything I do I wanted to win. To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful. I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to.