Fernando Mendoza may miss Indiana's White House visit on May 11 due to practice commitments. The visit celebrates the Hoosiers' first national championship.
Key points
Fernando Mendoza may skip White House visit
Visit is set for May 11
Indiana football celebrates first national championship
Mendoza is first overall pick in NFL draft
Mendoza plays for the Las Vegas Raiders
Mentioned in this story
Las Vegas RaidersDonald Trump
Fernando MendozaIndiana Hoosiers
Fernando Mendoza talks Indiana White House visit: 'I can't miss practice'
Indiana football has set its White House visit date for May 11. But it may be without one of the major pieces that got the Hoosiers their first national championship.
First overall pick Fernando Mendoza, selected by the Raiders in this year's draft, told reporters May 2 he may have to skip out on Indiana's visit to the White House to meet President Donald Trump. The reason? There are practices to attend.
"I believe May 11 is the first day of OTAs," Mendoza said when he was asked about possibly visiting. "If I'm not mistaken I have the calendar - I mean I don't have a calendar so. ... If it is on the first day of OTAs, like I said, I'm on the bottom of the totem pole here. I gotta prove myself. I can't miss practice ... I'm a rookie. I don't think that's a good look."
2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - Las Vegas Raiders
Q&A
Why might Fernando Mendoza miss the Indiana White House visit?
Fernando Mendoza may miss the visit to the White House because he has practices to attend.
When is the Indiana football team's White House visit scheduled?
The Indiana football team's White House visit is scheduled for May 11.
Who is Fernando Mendoza and what is his significance to Indiana football?
Fernando Mendoza is the first overall pick in the NFL draft, and he played a key role in leading Indiana to its first national championship.
Which NFL team drafted Fernando Mendoza?
Fernando Mendoza was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Related Articles
Sports
Cubs Minor League Wrap: Kaleb Wing has a successful pro debut in Mesa
Kaleb Wing shines in his pro debut as Cubs minor league teams face challenges.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA·Recap
Joel Embiid leads 76ers to 109-100 Game 7 win over Celtics to complete comeback from 3-1 deficit
Joel Embiid leads 76ers to 109-100 Game 7 win over Celtics!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA
What's next for Jayson Tatum? How Celtics superstar injuries make future feel uncertain
Jayson Tatum's knee injury raises questions about the Celtics' future.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA·Recap
76ers rally past Celtics in game 7, advance to face Knicks in second round
76ers rally past Celtics in Game 7 to face Knicks next
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Recap
Dillon Dingler Delivers as Tigers Pitching Staff Controls Rangers
Dillon Dingler's 443-foot homer leads Tigers to victory over Rangers!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Feature
Grit, guts and glory are at the heart of new Sutter Buttes Showdown on May 17
Join the excitement at the Sutter Buttes Showdown on May 17!
2017: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M - Cleveland Browns
11 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2016: Jared Goff, QB, Cal - Los Angeles Rams
12 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2015: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
13 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina - Houston Texans
14 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2009: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia - Detroit Lions
15 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2008: Jake Long, OT, Michigan - Miami Dolphins
16 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2007: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU - Oakland Raiders
17 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2004: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss - San Diego Chargers (traded to New York Giants)
18 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2003: Carson Palmer, QB, USC - Cincinnati Bengals
19 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2002: David Carr, QB, Fresno State - Houston Texans
20 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2001: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech - Atlanta Falcons
21 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2000: Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State - Cleveland Browns
22 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1999: Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky - Cleveland Browns
23 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1998: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee - Indianapolis Colts
24 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1997: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State - St. Louis Rams
25 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR, USC - New York Jets
26 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1995: Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn State - Cincinnati Bengals
27 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1994: Dan Wilkinson, DT, Ohio State - Cincinnati Bengals
28 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1992: Steve Emtman, DT, Washington - Indianapolis Colts
29 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1991: Russell Maryland, DT, Miami - Dallas Cowboys
30 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1990: Jeff George, QB, Illinois - Indianapolis Colts
31 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1989: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA - Dallas Cowboys
32 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1988: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn - Atlanta Falcons
33 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Miami - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
34 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1986: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (did not sign, later joined Los Angeles Raiders)
35 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1985: Bruce Smith, DE, Virginia Tech - Buffalo Bills
36 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1984: Irving Fryar, WR, Nebraska - New England Patriots
37 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1983: John Elway, QB, Stanford - Baltimore Colts (traded to Denver Broncos)
Basically: The past is the past. The present is now. Mendoza is entering the NFL with all of the baggage being a No. 1 pick carries, as he looks to bolster a Raiders franchise starving for success. It hasn't won a playoff game since the 2002 season and has made the playoffs just twice since that Super Bowl appearance.
Nevertheless, if saying the right things were completions, Mendoza would be 100% passing. While Indiana deservedly celebrates, Mendoza is looking to carve a spot out on his new roster. That's great news for the Raiders, and frankly, Indiana fans who want to see him succeed at the next level.
