Diego Pavia's mom flexes custom '2' Vanderbilt fit celebrating big LSU win

Diego Pavia has done the impossible - make Vanderbilt a team to be reckoned with in the SEC.

The from out-of-nowhere New Mexico native has become a breakout Cinderella sensation for Vandy, and that storybook journey continued today in an upset win over LSU, 31-24.

The 24-year-old SEC Newcomer of the Year last season, along with earning second-team All-SEC honors credits his mom, Antoinette Padilla, who raised him all by herself, for giving him that relentless attitude that makes him such a likeable personality.

"I didn't grow up with a whole lot," Pavia told Kirk Herbstreit earlier in the season. "My mom's a single mom and she's a backbone to our family. When I didn't have a whole lot, it was like, 'What's my way out?'"

His way out has been college football, and now he's striking Heisman poses beating SEC blue bloods like the LSU Tigers.

Mom also went viral after Pavia had a back-and-forth with comedian Theo Von earlier in the season, who said that Antoinette owed her a date.

Pavia had fun with it, quipping back that it would only happen if Von got him a date with popstar Tate McRae.

what @TheoVon forgot is, I said it was a deal if and only if he told @tatemcrae to lemme take her on A1 date in Nashville 🤝 twitter make it happen 👀 https://t.co/x2ODiluXcQ
— Diego Pavia (@diegopavia02) September 15, 2025

Mom turned heads again with her custom "2" fit head-to-toe cheering on her son today in Nashville, Tennessee, in a black top with jeans full of gold showing support for Diego.

Diego Pavia and his mom led Vandy to a win over LSU.pic.twitter.com/187uFe6Dku
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) October 18, 2025

In the postgame interview, Pavia's mom was shown again, probably looking to give her son a big hug.

One thing ESPN is gonna do is show Diego Pavia’s mom EVERY chance they get 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/DWmwX9nSnu
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) October 18, 2025

For what it's worth, it looks like Pavia has a girlfriend not named McRae.

Who knows, maybe Diego and his mother Antoinette will eventually be celebrating together in New York City as he hoists up the Heisman Trophy.

From no D-I offers to the best college football player in America, now that would be an insane dream come true.

From no D-I offers, to leading Vanderbilt to a 5-0 start for only it's second time in 80 years, Diego Pavia looks to lead his team to a second straight win against Alabama 😤 pic.twitter.com/dtYLtXlluR
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 4, 2025

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