NFL No. 1 Draft Pick, Fernando Mendoza Gets Personal, ‘My Mom is My Light, She Is My Why’

The 2026 NFL Draft just started, and it looks like there’s already a number one pick. On Thursday night, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that they’ve selected former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the first round. 

Who is Fernando Mendoza?

The 22-year-old was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Miami, Florida. He started his college football career in California but later transferred to Indiana. Mendoza remained a Hoosier, leading his team to the 2025 National Championships and winning the Heisman Trophy. 

Who Are Fernando Mendoza’s Parents?

While natural talent and plenty of hard work have gotten the quarterback to where he is today as the first NFL Draft pick, his parents—Elsa and Fernando Mendoza Sr.—also had a hand in his success. 

In 2008, Mendoza’s mother, Elsa, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The progressive disease that causes a breakdown of the protective covering of the nerves can result in fatigue, pain, vision impairment, mobility issues, memory difficulties, and numbness, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 

The football star recently posted a loving tribute on Instagram, celebrating his mother and explaining the Mendoza Family Fund (in partnership with the National MS Society). Along with a throwback picture of the pair, he said, “My mom is my light, she is my why.” 

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Mendoza’s mother appears in the clip, explaining that while she has MS, “it definitely does not define who I am.” She continues, “I truly believe that together we can form a future without MS.” The QB goes on to praise his mom, saying, “She taught me to be optimistic, stay resilient, and be myself.” And he isn’t the only one applauding Elsa! Her husband, Fernando Sr., calls his wife a warrior, adding, “I’m always in awe of how strong she is on a daily basis. What a positive outlook she has.” 

The newly drafted Las Vegas Raider recently appeared on the Today Show, where he said (of his mother), “I’ve been the underdog. However, my mom has never let me think that way.” 

Fans probably noticed that Mendoza was not at the draft in Pittsburgh. So why did the number one pick stay home? According to the player, his “family situation” made attending the NFL Draft in-person challenging. But that wasn’t the only reason. He also explained it gave him the chance to share this memory with everyone who had supported him throughout the early years of his football career, saying he wanted to “Start this journey with everyone who has gotten me to this point.”