Fernando Mendoza stayed home in Coral Gables, Florida, for the NFL draft — and the Las Vegas Raiders came to him. The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Indiana was selected first overall Thursday, and ESPN cameras captured the moment inside his family’s living room, where his mother Elsa, who uses a wheelchair due to multiple sclerosis, sat beside him.
“The last five months have been such a blessing by God and I can’t thank Him enough,” Mendoza told ESPN. “I’m just looking forward to getting to work, proving at the next level. College was fantastic. I’m so blessed to have that career. But now I step into a great game, the NFL, (and) look forward to proving and earning it every single day.”
Mendoza wore a Boss suit and white Adidas sneakers, describing his style as “classy and comfortable.” After commissioner Roger Goodell announced the pick, he tapped his phone, smiled, and put his right arm around both parents. He then put on a black Raiders cap with a silver bill, hugged his brother Alberto, and appeared to leave his youngest brother Max hanging for a handshake — a moment that quickly went viral.
Fernando Mendoza left his brother hanging 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/mIbnd8OvJI
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) April 24, 2026
About 120 guests attended the party outside, where a whole pig was being roasted in a “caja china” box. Mendoza had boasted about the Cuban delicacy in the days before the draft. The celebration also featured pan con leche, a pork sandwich with citrus-garlic sauce that he calls one of his favorite foods.
Before the draft, Mendoza launched the Mendoza Family Fund with the National MS Society, pledging $500,000 for multiple sclerosis research — a cause personal to his family. His mother has lived with MS for nearly 20 years.
“What a great organization, great legacy,” Mendoza said of the Raiders. “There’s so many great teammates I’m looking forward to talking to, coaches, owners. I’m ecstatic for the opportunity.”
Raiders offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson posted “Congrats big man!!” on Instagram with ABBA’s “Fernando.” Minority owner Tom Brady also released a statement: “Hard Work, Resilience, Discipline, Accountability, Leadership, Teamwork. That’s what this game is all about LFG Raider Nation we will make you proud.”
