Fernando Mendoza is officially in “work mode.” The -year-old Heisman Trophy winner and No. overall NFL draft pick is making waves online after revealing that he will likely skip the Indiana University Hoosiers’ upcoming visit to the White House.
While his former teammates are set to celebrate their historic – season and National Championship victory in Washington D.C. on May , Mendoza is keeping his eyes on the prize in Las Vegas. The quarterback explained that his loyalty now lies with the Raiders and the grind of his first NFL season.
“I believe May th is the first day of OTAs,” Mendoza told reporters on Saturday, May . “If it is on the first day of OTAs, like I say, I’m at the bottom of the totem pole here, I’ve got to prove myself.”
Putting the Team First
For Mendoza, the decision comes down to professional reputation. As a rookie entering a high-stakes environment, he is determined to show his new coaches and teammates that he is fully committed to the Raiders’ organization.
“I can’t miss practice. Yeah, I can’t miss practice,” he emphasized during the press conference. “I’m a rookie. I don’t think that’s a good look. I want to try to serve my teammates and I don’t know whether that would be achieving my goal.”
This “no-nonsense” attitude is nothing new for the athlete. Mendoza famously opted not to attend the NFL draft in person in Pittsburgh last month. Instead, he chose to celebrate the milestone moment at home in Miami with his parents, mentors, and coaches.
A Heart of Gold
While his professional drive is undeniable, Mendoza’s fans know that family has always been his true north. He previously shared that his decision to stay home for the draft was largely influenced by his mother, Elsa, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in and uses a wheelchair.
“My mom really wanted to do it at home and so did both of my parents,” he told ESPN’s The Rich Eisen Show. “I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey… rather than limiting it to or people in Pittsburgh.”
The internet fell in love with Mendoza back in December during his emotional Heisman Trophy acceptance speech. In a moment that went viral across social media, he dedicated the win to Elsa, telling her, “Mami, this is your trophy as much as it is mine.”
“You taught me that toughness doesn’t need to be loud,” he said at the time. “It can be quiet and strong. It’s choosing hope.”
Making Moves Online
Known for his unique social media presence, Mendoza even shared his excitement about joining the Raiders on LinkedIn—his self-proclaimed favorite platform. “It’s official. Grateful for the opportunity and ready to get to work,” he posted, prompting a “Welcome to the League!” response from the official NFL account.
While Indiana fans might miss seeing their star quarterback at the White House, the “Mendoza Hive” is largely supportive of his choice to focus on his rookie year.
Whether he is delivering a tear-jerking speech or showing up early for practice, Fernando Mendoza is proving that his journey from a Cal transfer to a Raiders centerpiece is just getting started. One thing is for sure: this rookie isn’t taking a single second of his new career for granted.
