Even from afar, former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza made his presence felt at the White House on Monday—though not in the way you might expect.

Mendoza, now a rookie with the Las Vegas Raiders after being selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft, had to skip the White House ceremony honoring the Indiana football team. His reason? A commitment that speaks volumes about his work ethic: the first day of Raiders OTAs (Organized Team Activities).

President Donald Trump acknowledged Mendoza's absence with a lighthearted jab during the South Lawn event. "He's a big fan of ours, but you wouldn't believe it because he didn't show up," Trump joked. "I'm not happy, but that's OK. The reason he didn't is because he's at spring training… his first day or something. I said, 'You better go there.'"

Mendoza had personally called the President last week to explain his absence, showing respect for the invite while staying focused on his NFL career. "I believe May 11 is the first day of OTAs," Mendoza told reporters in Las Vegas. "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."

He wasn't the only Hoosier missing from the celebration. All eight Indiana players drafted last month were absent, each busy acclimating to new teams. Trump called out names like Pat Coogan and D'Angelo Ponds during the ceremony, only to be told repeatedly they were at training camps. "Where's D'Angelo?" Trump asked as IU players shouted back. "Oh, I can't believe it. No wonder you won."

Indiana had scheduled the White House visit after spring practice, but the timing created a clash for many former players. Still, the Hoosiers presented Trump with a No. 47 Indiana jersey, a helmet, and a football. The President promised the current team a tour of the Oval Office before they headed home.

For Mendoza, skipping the White House wasn't about disrespect—it was about earning his place. And in the world of sports, that's a play every rookie understands.