Although he’s widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick Thursday evening, former IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza won’t be in Pittsburgh to hear his name called live by Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The reason why is pretty simple: Mom comes first.
“It’d be a dream for a lot of guys, however, my mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did both my parents,” Mendoza said on the Rich Eisen Show. “It was a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation, and I would have to hop on a plane the next morning anyways. For that travel, it would be a lot easier to stay at home.”
Mendoza will be in Miami with his family and friends when the NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. ET.
The Heisman Trophy winner grew up in Miami. He attended Christopher Columbus H.S. in the city.
He wants Thursday evening to be a reunion for everyone who played a part in helping him get to this point.
“I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey,” Mendoza said. “Mentors, coaches, family, friends — to be 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.”
Mendoza won’t be the first No. 1 overall pick who was not at the NFL Draft.
In recent years Travon Walker, Trevor Lawrence and Baker Mayfield were not live at the event.
Mendoza wants there to be no confusion, however. He intends to be a great ambassador for the NFL, and he is welcoming the outlet broadcasting the event into his home.
“I still want to be the best league partner that I can become,” Mendoza said. “Make sure that there’s however many cameras that ESPN wants there, whatever they need from me, I will do. However, I think it’s very important to start off this journey with everyone who’s gotten me to this point.”
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