Fernando Mendoza Reveals Personal Reason Behind Missing NFL Draft in Pittsburgh

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza has decided to skip the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh as he wants to share the special moment of his life with his family.

Fernando Mendoza Reveals Personal Reason Behind Missing NFL Draft in Pittsburgh

Fernando Mendoza (Image via IMAGO/Rich Eisen Show)

Thursday, April 23, is going to be a memorable day for the Mendoza family. The eldest son of Mendoza Sr. and Elsa Mendoza, Fernando, will most likely become the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

An occasion such as this comes once in a lifetime. So, first-rounders fly into the venue to be a part of it. Fernando Mendoza won’t be present because he wants to be beside his family members when the Las Vegas Raiders call his name.

Speaking with Rich Eisen on his show, the University of Indiana quarterback explained the reason behind skipping the draft in Pittsburgh.

[The draft in] Pittsburgh is a great opportunity, and it’s a great venue, and I’m really excited to see most of the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night. It’d be a dream for a lot of guys; however, my mom [Elsa] really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents. It was a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation.

Fernando Mendoza said

According to an article in The Players’ Tribune written by Elsa Mendoza, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis nearly two decades ago.

I was diagnosed about 18 years ago, but of course, you never knew that. You and [your brother] Alberto [Mendoza] were so young, and I was doing fine … and mostly I didn’t want you to worry. It just felt like this impossible thing to place on you guys.

Elsa Mendoza wrote

Mendoza’s mother’s condition worsened when she contracted the COVID-19 virus in 2020. That has not stopped her from attending Fernando’s and Alberto’s games. She and her husband attended the CFP games last year, including the victory over the Miami Hurricanes in the championship final.

As his mother is unwell, Fernando wants to watch the draft from his home in South Florida and plans to throw a party after the first day of the draft ends. He will hop onto a plane for Las Vegas the following day (depending on whether the Las Vegas Raiders select him first overall).

Nearly every mock draft sees the Raiders take Mendoza with the first overall draft pick. But anything can happen on draft night.

Moreover, Mendoza is not the first player to skip the draft. Last year, Shedeur Sanders watched the draft from his home in Colorado. However, as everyone knows by now, what happened to Sanders during draft day? The projected top-five pick slipped to day three, where the Cleveland Browns eventually drafted him.

Before Sanders, another Browns quarterback did not attend the draft. Back in 2018, the former Oklahoma Sooners QB Baker Mayfield invited his family and friends to his house on draft day. He went first overall. Mayfield is no longer part of the Browns. Three years ago, he took over the QB1 job for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Fernando Mendoza shared details about first meeting with the Raiders

Mendoza met with the Raiders’ minority owner, Tom Brady, on FaceTime during the NFL Combine. After the five-minute chat ended, onlookers saw Mendoza visibly frustrated with himself.

Fernando Mendoza Reveals Personal Reason Behind Missing NFL Draft in Pittsburgh
Fernando Mendoza at the University of Indiana pro day (Image via IMAGO)

Adam Schefter of ESPN, in his latest piece published on Monday, revealed details behind Mendoza’s reaction. Apparently, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner thought the meeting did not go as he had planned.

He [Mendoza] was visibly mad at himself and said loud enough for those around him to hear, ‘I messed that up‘.

Schefter wrote

One Raiders scout tried his best to console him. He told Mendoza that he had done enough for the Raiders to select him first overall.

Mendoza began his college career with the California Golden Bears. After red shirting his freshman year, he started for the ACC school the next two years. Ahead of the 2025 season, he transferred to Indiana to play with his brother.

With Fernando Mendoza as the starter, the Hoosiers went undefeated and won their first-ever CFP title. Mendoza finished his final year with 273 completions from 379 passing attempts (72.0%) for 3535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also rushed 90 times for 473 yards and scored 7 touchdowns.

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