Fernando Mendoza won’t be in Pittsburgh when the 2026 NFL Draft begins. He’s staying home in Miami instead, and the decision comes down to family.
His mother, Elsa Mendoza, lives with multiple sclerosis, a condition affecting the central nervous system that makes long-distance travel extremely difficult. That reality shaped his choice to skip the draft experience in person.
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Whether he’s in the room or watching from home probably won’t change where he lands. The Las Vegas Raiders remain the heavy favorite to select him, and the potential pairing with Tom Brady only fuels the buzz around what could happen next.
Mendoza’s path to this moment wasn’t that simple. A lot of that perspective came from watching his mother fight through her condition every single day.
During an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” he opened up about how her strength continues to influence him.
“I see her fighting every single day, and with a smile on her face,” Mendoza said. “So there’s no excuse for me to have a bad day, bad play or bad game. I’m always trying to have an optimistic approach, give the best and serve the best to my teammates.”
"I see her fighting every single day, and with a smile on her face, so there's no excuse for me to have a bad day."Fernando Mendoza on how he draws inspiration from his mom, who has multiple sclerosis.Hard to not root for this kid, Raiders fan or not. pic.twitter.com/CQwvbU4qA1
Elsa Mendoza played tennis at the University of Miami. She knows what competition feels like and understands the pressure that comes with performing at a high level.
That background made her one of Fernando’s biggest supporters through a recruiting process that tested him early and often.
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Doubt followed Mendoza from the start. At nine years old, his first team listed him as the fourth-choice quarterback. That early setback set the tone for years of slow progress and limited recognition.
By the time he entered the class of 2022, the rankings reflected that struggle. He sat at 2,149th overall and ranked as the 140th quarterback in the nation. Programs passed on him. Opportunities stayed scarce. The waiting game dragged on longer than anyone expected.
Eventually, a single Power Five offer came through late in the cycle. It gave him his only shot at the top tier of college football. Through all of it, Elsa kept delivering the same message. Stay patient and keep working.