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The Cuban-American congressman Carlos A. Giménez celebrated on his social media a fact he described as “a source of pride for the entire exile community”: two children from exiled Cuban families faced off in the final of the national college soccer championship in the United States.
"As the only member of Congress born in Cuba and a graduate of Christopher Columbus High School, I couldn't be prouder of tonight’s game," wrote Giménez, highlighting the historic coincidence between Mario Cristobal, head coach of the University of Miami, and Fernando Mendoza Jr., quarterback of Indiana, both children of Cuban exile families who sought freedom in the United States.
The final, contested between the teams from Indiana University and the University of Miami, symbolizes much more than a sporting competition.
It represents —as Giménez emphasized— "a story of faith, sacrifice, and opportunity, the American dream made real for Cuban families who arrived with nothing and built a future through hard work."
Fernando Mendoza Jr., quarterback from Indiana, made history this season by becoming the first Cuban-American to win the Heisman Trophy, the highest honor in college football. The son and grandson of exiles, his family arrived in Miami after escaping the Cuban regime.
On the opposing side, Mario Cristóbal, head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, also represents the legacy of exile.
The son of a political prisoner, he trained at the same school as Giménez and was a national champion as a player before returning as a coach to lead the revival of his hometown's university team.
"The match tonight is a blessing and a reminder of how far we have come as a community," Giménez added.
"Two sons of the Cuban exile competing at the highest level of American collegiate sports: that is the pride of Miami and the spirit of the Cuban exile," he emphasized.
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