By Halley Griggs
I’ll be the first to admit it: I don’t pretend to know college football inside and out. I sometimes know which teams are having strong seasons, who’s contending late in the year, and I’ll catch those final games when the calendar slows down and everyone’s home. But I’m not a diehard follower.
Still, every once in a while, a moment cuts through the noise — not because of the sport itself, but because of the humanity behind it.
This year, that moment came from a clip I stumbled across on social media: Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman Trophy acceptance speech.
I didn’t watch it live. I didn’t even know much about him before that clip. But I watched him thank his mother — thoughtfully, emotionally, and without rushing through the moment — while his parents looked on, tears welling in their eyes. The former journalist in me wanted to know more, and what I learned only made the moment more powerful.
Fernando has described himself as under-recruited. He felt overlooked. Frustrated. Tested. And through those moments, it was his mother — battling multiple sclerosis — who reminded him that she believed in him. That he could keep going. That the work mattered. And she didn’t just say it — she lived it. Every day, through her own challenges, she showed him what perseverance really looks like.
What struck me most wasn’t the trophy or the title.
It was his mindset.
Gratitude is his attitude.
And that’s something that transcends any sport, any level, any accolade.
At Triple Threat, we talk a lot about intangibles — the things that don’t show up on stat sheets or highlight reels, but matter deeply. Being a good teammate. Showing respect. Taking responsibility. Bringing positive energy into shared spaces. And practicing gratitude — consistently, intentionally.
Taking time to say 'thank you' matters.
Thank your coaches — the ones investing in you beyond the whistle.
Thank your teachers — the ones helping shape who you are off the field.
Thank your parents — the ones supporting you in countless ways.
And thank your teammates — the ones beside you every day, pushing you, challenging you, and celebrating you.
Those are the people climbing the mountain with you.
Fernando Mendoza’s speech resonated not because of what he achieved, but because he understood how he got there. He recognized the belief that carried him through moments of doubt. He acknowledged the people who helped shape his journey. And he took the time to say thank you.
For our athletes, the lesson here isn’t about matching someone else’s success — on the field, in the classroom, or anywhere else. Not everyone will win awards. Not everyone will stand at the podium. That’s not the point.
The point is how you show up.
How you carry yourself when things don’t go exactly as planned. How you keep believing when progress feels slow. And how you recognize the people who remind you of who you are when you forget.
Every athlete needs that person — whether it’s a parent, a coach, a teammate, a teacher, or a friend. Someone who believes in you sometimes more than you believe in yourself. And just as importantly, you can be that person for someone else.
Belief is contagious. Encouragement costs nothing. And showing up for others often matters more than we realize.
And if you’re lucky enough to climb the mountain — whatever that mountain looks like for you — remember who helped you get there. Say thank you. Take the moment. Share the gratitude.
Because success is rarely a solo journey.
And gratitude? That’s a skill that always travels with you.