Fernando Mendoza is ready to bring a different kind of energy to the Raiders—and he's not apologizing for it.

The Raiders' new franchise quarterback has a reputation as a clean-cut, humble leader, but he wants to set the record straight. "If you ask my teammates... I wasn't always a nice guy, I was an a-hole sometimes," Mendoza told Raiders.com. "I wanted everyone to do their one-eleventh, everyone to do their job, hold everyone to a high standard."

That fire helped him lead Indiana to a national championship last season, and it's exactly the mentality Raiders fans have been craving. Mendoza knows he's been seen as "pretty fuzzy and warm," but he insists that's just the surface. Underneath, there's a relentless competitor who demands excellence—from himself and everyone around him.

He's also realistic about his new role. "Coming into a new organization, starting from the bottom of the totem pole, I believe that leadership is earned, not given," he said. It's the kind of mindset that fits perfectly with the Silver and Black's storied tradition of tough, no-nonsense football.

After spending time at the Raiders' facility following the draft, Mendoza spoke about his vision for the franchise. He wants to bring back those glory years—the era when the Raiders were known for having plenty of a-holes on the roster. And he's ready to be the next great one to wear the Silver and Black.

For fans looking to channel that same intensity, gear up with Raiders apparel that matches Mendoza's fire. Because sometimes, being a little bit of an a-hole is exactly what it takes to win.