Cristobal recalls playing with Mendoza’s father in HS
Miami’s football team has had a fantastic season and will have a chance to cap it off by playing Indiana in their home stadium in Miami. The Hoosiers were dominantand the rest of the stories surrounding him are preparing for a fun game. Mario Cristobal was born and raised in Miami and actually played football with Fernando Mendozahis dad in high school.
On the latest episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” Mario Cristobal was a guest and recalled playing football with Mendoza Sr. in Miami. He said the team is full and that some players went on to play in the NFL. He also said that they even beat the best team in the state at the time.
Cristobal said, “That was a great team there – a great offensive line. Fernando Mendoza Sr. was a great player. Look at Alex Mirabal, No. 65. He was a great player. And some of those other guys were some crazy players.”
The school where Cristobal and Mendoza Sr. played football was Christopher Columbus High School, where they both found their love for football.
Fernando Mendoza Sr. went on to attend Brown University and pursue a career in medicine. However, Fernando Mendoza Jr. is dominating the college football landscape this season. After starting his career at Cal, he transferred to Indiana and set the college football landscape on fire. He helped Indiana reach the national championship and won Heisman trophy.
It’s a homecoming for Mendoza, playing for a state title in Miami near where he grew up, against his hometown team. However, Mendoza gets a chance to show that team he belongs because Miami never signed him.
There are a lot of Miami soccer connections in this game, which makes it even more interesting. The Hurricanes have a solid offense, but have excelled on defense, especially in the running game College Football Playoff. That will be the deciding factor against Mendoza, and if Indiana or Miami win the title.
2026-01-16 21:44:00
