Fernando Mendoza has all the spotlights on him making the leap to the NFL. With the Heisman and Natty feather in his cap, fans were excited to see him in Pittsburgh. But he decided to be at home during the NFL Draft. Days later, he reaffirmed his plans.

As fans kept looking for answers, Mendoza, on The Rich Eisen Show, shed light on his reasons for not attending the draft.

“My mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents," the former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback said. "It’s a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation.”

Mendoza's mother, Elsa, has been fighting multiple sclerosis (MS) for nearly 20 years. Even though she is in a wheelchair, that did not dampen her energy when it came to supporting Mendoza's football journey.

She was in attendance, rooting for her son at the Lucas Oil Stadium, during the Big Ten Championship.

Mendoza is aware that traveling from Miami to Pittsburgh is going to be hectic for his mother. At the same time, he would not want to take the draft stage without her mother in attendance.

After all, she has always been the reason for Mendoza’s unwavering faith in winning games.

So, the choice of staying home came naturally for Mendoza.

"I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey," said the quarterback. "Mentors, coaches, family, friends, you want to share that moment with all of them, it's going to be the best memory that I can make."

Furthermore, since his success came from his time in Miami through high school and university, he wanted to share the big NFL moment with his football coaches and mentors.

It also includes Indiana University Bloomington’s football coach, Curt Cignetti.

Meanwhile, Mendoza will be with his family as he waits to see if he will be selected by the team partly owned by his idol.

Fernando Mendoza Waiting for a Precious Moment

The Indiana quarterback recorded 3,535 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns last season. He led Indiana from being the losingest team in college football to the Natty stage.

With the Las Vegas Raiders holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, it is reported that they might draft Mendoza. Tom Brady is the minority owner of the NFL franchise, holding 5% share. Yet, he is going to have a say in drafting Fernando.

“He [Brady] talks to John Spytek a lot,” said Ian Rapoport. “I expect him to be involved in this quarterback decision.

Meanwhile, Brady has also shown a heavy interest in Mendoza.

"He gave me the message that he's going to push me, and he's not going to be all lovey-dovey, and that if the Raiders draft me, he is going to be a mentor," the quarterback opened up about his pre-draft visit to Las Vegas.

For Mendoza, who grew up rooting for the New England Patriots during his father’s medical residency in Boston, it would be a special honor.

That’s why he didn’t want to miss the moment, particularly if Las Vegas picks him, by being away from his family.

Share your thoughts on Mendoza's decision to stay with his family on draft day.

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Written by

Monika Khatai

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar