Mendoza Skips Draft, Celebrates with Family

0:00It's April 23rd, I'm Corey with The Story. This is NFL News Today, driven by AI and built for football fans. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is projected as the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft happening in Pittsburgh. But he is skipping the stage and Gidel Handshake to celebrate at home in Miami with his family. Payton Manning reached out to him personally, sharing stories from his own 1998 draft day when he only brought three family members. The party later in Knoxville, Manning encouraged Mendoza to do both, but the young star is sticking with a private family vibe. This choice hits deep because of Mendoza's mom, Elsa, who battles multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair. She has traveled everywhere to cheer him on, from the Big Ten title in Indianapolis, to the national championship right there in Miami, plus grabbing. That Heisman in New York City, Mendoza got emotional, calling her his light and dedicating his trophy to her sacrifices.

1:00He's not alone in passing on the spotlight either. Top picks like Trayvon Walker in 2022, Trevor Lawrence in 2021, and Baker Mayfield back in 2018, all shows family. Nights over the draft glitz. As the draft kicks off, Mendoza's story reminds us football's real wins happen off the field, with the people who got you there holding it down.