When you're the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, your schedule gets a little complicated—especially when it involves a White House visit.
Former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza found himself in that exact situation this week. Instead of just sending his regrets through the proper channels, the rookie took a more direct approach: he called President Donald Trump personally.
"He's a big fan of ours, but you wouldn't believe it because he didn't show up," Trump joked during Monday's ceremony on the South Lawn honoring Indiana's football team. "I'm not happy, but that's OK. The reason he didn't is because he's at spring training… like his first day or something. I said you better go there."
Mendoza, who was selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, had already explained his absence last week. The White House event fell on the same day as the Raiders' first organized team activities—a conflict that left the rookie with a clear priority.
"I believe May 11 is the first day of OTAs," Mendoza told reporters. "I don't have the calendar. If it is on the first day of OTAs, I'm at the bottom of the totem pole. I've got to prove myself. I can't miss practice. As a rookie, I don't think that's a good look, and I want to best serve my teammates."
The timing proved challenging for many former Hoosiers. Indiana scheduled the D.C. visit after spring practice ended, but all eight players drafted last month are busy getting acclimated with their new NFL teams. None of them made it to the White House—a fact that became a running joke during the half-hour ceremony.
Trump called out for players like Pat Coogan and D'Angelo Ponds as he recapped the 2025 season, only to be told repeatedly they weren't there.
"Where's D'Angelo?" Trump asked, as current Indiana players shouted "training camp" from the audience. "Oh, I can't believe it. No wonder you won."
Despite the absences, the ceremony had its moments. Indiana presented Trump with a No. 47 jersey, a helmet, and a football. The President also promised the attending players a tour of the Oval Office before they headed back to Bloomington.
For Mendoza, the choice was simple: a White House invite is a tremendous honor, but showing up for Day 1 with your new team? That's how you build a career. And in the world of sports, that's a play every rookie can respect.