Fernando Mendoza Reveals Why He Won’t Be at NFL Draft in Person as Presumed No. 1 Pick

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The Heisman Trophy winner said he is also looking forward to sharing the night with all of those who helped him along the way.

“I wanted to stay and make the memory of everyone who poured into my football journey,” he said. “Mentors, coaches, family, friends. I want to share that moment with all of them it’s gonna be the best memory that I can make rather than limit it to 10 or 12 people in Pittsburgh.”

The famously articulate quarterback then hedged: “It’s gonna be great, and I still want to be the best league partner that I can become.”

He added that he is amenable to having “however many cameras ESPN wants” on him in Miami at his watch party.

Mendoza, projected to go to the Las Vegas Raiders with the first pick in the draft, will become the first No. 1 pick not to attend the draft since Travon Walker did so when the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him in 2022. 

Walker’s now-quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, also stayed home the previous year when his name was called.

Still, in typical Mendoza fashion, he said he wishes his fellow draftees well on the big night.

If the Raiders select him, the signal-caller will join a team whose minority owner is his hero, Tom Brady, and have a built-in mentor in NFL veteran Kirk Cousins.

“However, I  think it's very important to start off this journey with everyone who’s gotten me to this point,” Mendoza said.

Read the original article on People