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Why is Fernando Mendoza not in attendance at the NFL Draft?
TL;DR
Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, will not attend the NFL Draft due to his mother's health concerns. She has been battling multiple sclerosis for 15 years, making travel difficult for her.
Key points
- Fernando Mendoza is the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner.
- He will not attend the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
- His decision is due to his mother's health concerns.
- His mother has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
- Mendoza's absence is significant as he is a top draft prospect.
Mentioned in this story
Fernando MendozaRaiders
NFL Draft
Chaos is descending upon Pittsburgh as the NFL Draft is set to kick off on Thursday night at 8 P.M. EST. And while there is plenty of fanfare in the city for the several draft prospects that will be in attendance this weekend at the event, one of those player will not be Fernando Mendoza – the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion quarterback from Indiana who is widely assumed to be the player the Raiders will select with the No. 1 pick.
But why is Mendoza planning on skipping the draft, despite the fact that Thursday will be one of the biggest moments of his life and he will be the center of the NFL news cycle this weekend? Well, it has nothing to do with the draft's location itself, or with Mendoza's attitude toward the event – rather, it's a decision Mendoza made with his family in mind.
Fernando Mendoza staying home on NFL Draft night for his mother
Mendoza's presence will not be felt in Pittsburgh this weekend mainly due to his mother's health concerns, which makes it harder for her to travel. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 15 years ago, and uses a wheelchair.
“Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and great venue, and I’m really excited to see all the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night,” Mendoza said earlier this week.
“My mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents. It’s a lot easier for us. Especially with the family situation. I’m going to hop on a plane (in) the morning anyways. For that, it will be a lot easier to stay at home.”
Mendoza will instead be watching from home in Miami, with an ESPN film crew present to capture the moment he's drafted. He's turning it into an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishment with a large party of friends, family, and other loved ones, instead of having to choose a smaller group to accompany him had he went to Pittsburgh for the event.
“I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey,” Mendoza said. “Mentors, coaches, family, friends, we want to share that memory with all of them is going to be the best memory that I could hope for, rather than limit it to 10 or 12 people in Pittsburgh.”
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Why is Fernando Mendoza not in attendance at the NFL Draft?
Q&A
Why is Fernando Mendoza skipping the NFL Draft?
Fernando Mendoza is skipping the NFL Draft to stay with his mother, who has health concerns and struggles with travel due to multiple sclerosis.
What health condition does Fernando Mendoza's mother have?
Fernando Mendoza's mother has multiple sclerosis, a condition she has been dealing with for 15 years.
Who is expected to be selected by the Raiders with the No. 1 pick?
Fernando Mendoza, the national champion quarterback from Indiana, is widely assumed to be the player the Raiders will select with the No. 1 pick.
