Why Heisman Winner Fernando Mendoza Is Skipping White House Visit
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza seemingly will not be joining his former Indiana University Hoosiers teammates at an upcoming White House visit.
"I believe May 11th [the day of the Hoosiers' White House visit] is the first day of OTAs (organized team activities) … if it is on the first day of OTAs, like I say, I'm at the bottom of the totem pole here [in Las Vegas], I've got to prove myself," Mendoza, 22, told reporters on Saturday, May 2.
He went on, "I can't miss practice. Yeah, I can't miss practice. … I'm a rookie. I don't think that's a good look. I want to try to serve my teammates and I don't know whether that would be achieving my goal."
It was reported earlier this week that the White House scheduled a visit from the Hoosiers for May 11, after the college football team went 16-0 last season and clinched their first College Football Playoff National Championship on January 19.
Since that historic championship win, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Mendoza with the No.1 overall pick in the NFL draft on April 23. The athlete did not attend the draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in person, choosing instead to celebrate his career milestone at home with his parents in Miami.
"My mom really wanted to do it at home and so did [both of] my parents," he told ESPN's The Rich Eisen Show last month. "It's a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation."
Fernando pointed to practical concerns, since his mom, Elsa, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007 and now uses a wheelchair.
"We'd have to hop on a plane the next morning anyway," Mendoza explained on The Rich Eisen Show. "For that travel, it would be a lot easier to stay at home. I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey. Mentors, coaches, family, friends. Being able to share that moment with all of them is going to be the best memory that I can make, rather than limiting it to 10 or 12 people in Pittsburgh."
The athlete celebrated being drafted by the Raiders with an update on his personal favorite social media platform, LinkedIn.
"It's official. Grateful for the opportunity and ready to get to work," he wrote, with the NFL replying: "Welcome to the League!"
Fernando won the Heisman Trophy in December 2025, delivering an emotional speech where he dedicated the prestigious accolade to his mother.
"Mami, this is your trophy as much as it is mine," he told Elsa from the stage. "You've always been my biggest fan. You're my light, you're my ‘why,' you're my biggest supporter."
The quarterback grew emotional as he went on, "Your sacrifices, courage, love, those have been my first playbook and that playbook that I'm going to carry by my side for my entire life. You taught me that toughness doesn't need to be loud. It can be quiet and strong. It's choosing hope. It's believing in yourself when the world doesn't give you much reason to. Together, you and I are rewriting what people think is possible. I love you."
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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 12:10 AM.