During the 2026 NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza was expected to be the centre of attention. However, he decided to take a backseat and not attend the NFL Draft. Initially, it did not sit well with most of the fans, but Mendoza was once again reminded that he made the right decision.

Spectators had not expected Mendoza to ditch draft night to stay home with his family in Miami. We covered an article on Tuesday, April 7, based on NFL insider Adam Schefter's report.

In that tweet, Mendoza received backlash for his decision. To many, the Indiana quarterback's move came off as egoistic. But within days, the fans' perspective changed as fans poured in their support in the comment section of Tuesday's article.

Mendoza had already upset fans with his absence from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He chose to attend his program’s pro day instead. But football fans have been waiting to see Mendoza, who picked the No.1 buzz to be present at Pittsburgh.

After all, the 22-year-old has become a face of college football. He became the first Heisman Trophy winner from a Big Ten program since Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith won in 2006. But Mendoza decided to stay with his family on the Draft day.

That is because he wouldn’t have gotten this far if it were not for his mother, Elsa Mendoza, who has been battling multiple sclerosis (MS) for over two decades. 

So, many fans now praise Mendoza for not attending the draft.

Fans in Awe of Mendoza’s Dedication and Priorities

If Mendoza was upset at his scrutiny, he can take solace in the fact that another mother has praised his decision.

“As a mother, I am so proud with the decisions Fernando Mendoza has made. I am also a huge football fan, FAMILY is your lifeline and your unconditional support system,” she wrote. It's payback time for Mendoza. His mother, beating all odds, was spotted rooting for him seated in a wheelchair during the Big Ten Championship.

Some comments asked the Las Vegas Raiders, projected to pick him at No.1, to reconsider their decision. But one fan noted that Mendoza's sacrifice tells a lot about how he will be embracing his teammates.

“Wanting to stay home with family, especially his mother with MS, for the biggest night of his life is honorable. imagine how he treats his teammates which become essentially family.  I think the raiders will have their QB of the future....finally!  Wish him all the success in the league,” wrote the fan.

A few critics had also accused Mendoza of putting himself above the league with this move. They even doubted whether he could adapt to the extensive and tiring NFL schedule. But this fan believes “a heartfelt” celebration with family is just what fans want to really see.

“You know he wants his Mom by his side at this huge moment, but an MS wheelchair bound person would have a hard time getting to Pittsburgh, much less going through all of the media garbage. Who really needs to see him in a gawd awful $40,000 custom outfit hugging a commissioner no one likes when you could see a heartfelt celebration at home with his Mom?”

Mendoza also gained another fan who has empathy for him in this situation. 

“Dude just became my favorite QB. Personally, I think the outrage is mostly made up as most people understand his position,” one commented.

What do you think about Mendoza's absence from the draft?

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar