Why No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza watched the NFL Draft from home
Fernando Mendoza became a Las Vegas Raider on Thursday night, selected with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, as he watched the action unfold from his own home.
"What a great organization, great legacy, there are so many great teammates I'm looking forward to talking to. Coaches, owners, I'm ecstatic for the opportunity," Mendoza said, speaking to ESPN after his selection.
Mendoza elected not to be in attendance alongside other headlining draft picks at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Thursday evening; instead, the former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback watched from home.
"I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey," Mendoza said on The Rich Eisen Show this week. "Mentors, coaches, family, friends, being able to share that moment with all of them is gonna be the best memory that I can make."
Mendoza said watching with the large group of loved ones would be preferable to limiting his group to "10 or 12 people in Pittsburgh."
Mendoza said the decision was ultimately family-motivated.
"My mom really wanted to do it at home... it's a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation," Mendoza said, also attributing the decision to travel ease.
Mendoza has been public about the love and support he feels for his parents, including his mother Elsa Mendoza, who was diagnosed with MS roughly 18 years ago.
Despite the preference to watch the draft at home with his family, the quarterback acknowledged the excitement to come in Pittsburgh.
"Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and it's a great venue, and I'm really excited to see all the guys, or most the guys, walk across the stage on Thursday night," he said.
Later Mendoza shared, "I still want to be the best league partner I can become, and make sure that there's however many cameras that ESPN wants there, or whatever they need from me, I will do."
He continued, "However, I think it's very important to start off this journey with everyone who's gotten me to this point."
Mendoza has spent much of his time in the spotlight championing his family.
At his Heisman Trophy ceremony in December, Fernando Mendoza shouted out his mother, dedicating the award to her.
"This is your trophy as much as it is mine," he said at the time. "You've always been my biggest fan. You're my light. You're my why. Your sacrifices, courage, love, those have been my first playbook."
During his now well-recognized speech, Mendoza went on to shout out each of his family members, including his father, brothers and grandparents.
The NFL Draft continues Friday night.
