Fernando Mendoza celebrates mom at Raiders intro: 'I see her there fighting'

TL;DR

Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, honors his mother during his introduction with the Raiders. He also announced a $500,000 donation for multiple sclerosis research and launched the Mendoza Family Fund.

Key points

Fernando Mendoza was the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He plays as a quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mendoza announced a $500,000 donation for multiple sclerosis research.
He launched the Mendoza Family Fund with the National MS Society.
Mendoza honors his mother for her influence on his life.

Mentioned in this story

National MS Society

Fernando MendozaLas Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza celebrates mom at Raiders intro: 'I see her there fighting'

Everybody has a mother.

Not everybody's mother fuels their purpose while providing the foundation for his or her best attribute.

For Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, taken first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, that is the case, though. Hours before the draft started and the Raiders went on the clock, Mendoza announced a $500,000 donation in support of multiple sclerosis research and launched the Mendoza Family Fund in partnership with the National MS Society.

Mendoza's mother, Elsa, has multiple sclerosis (MS), the severe autoimmune disease that affects mobility.

"She is my why," Mendoza said in a video announcing the foundation's formation.

During his introductory news conference April 24, Mendoza added: “I believe one of my pillars and my identities is giving back and fighting MS.”

Elsa Mendoza is confined to a wheelchair. Mendoza's father, Fernando Sr., went viral during the 2025 college football season when it was pointed out that he remained seated during celebrations in solidarity with Elsa.

After all, it was Elsa who was the origin of why the Mendoza family had plenty to cheer about throughout the 2025 season, when Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated season and the national championship. According to Mendoza, she encouraged him to transfer following his third season at California.

“My mom always saw more in me than I saw in myself at that time, and she essentially pushed me to take a swing at becoming a great NFL player,” Mendoza told reporters.

Step one was transferring, which meant entering an uncomfortable environment. Elsa counseled her son that doing so guaranteed growth – while noting that he wouldn't want to look back in 20 years and have regrets.

"She taught me to have unwavering optimism," Mendoza said. "And fortune favors the bold. And you have to have unwavering optimism to achieve those goals."

Mendoza also credited Elsa for passing down the trait scouts raved about the entire pre-draft process – his toughness.

“The toughness came from my parents, especially my mom,” he said on "Raiders Roundtable."

Q&A

Who is Fernando Mendoza and what team did he join?

Fernando Mendoza is the quarterback who was selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.

What donation did Fernando Mendoza announce at his Raiders introduction?

Fernando Mendoza announced a $500,000 donation to support multiple sclerosis research.

What is the Mendoza Family Fund?

The Mendoza Family Fund is an initiative launched by Fernando Mendoza in partnership with the National MS Society to support multiple sclerosis research.

How did Fernando Mendoza honor his mother during the Raiders introduction?

Fernando Mendoza celebrated his mother by expressing that he sees her fighting and acknowledging her role in fueling his purpose.