President Donald Trump has claimed that Fernando Mendoza, the recent number one NFL draft pick, is a “big fan” of the Trump administration, despite the quarterback not joining his former Indiana University teammates at the White House on Monday to celebrate their national championship. Mendoza, who was selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, even called the president to apologise for his absence, Trump said.
Trump’s Remarks on Mendoza
“He was so nice,” Trump stated. “He called because actually…(he’s) a big fan of ours. You wouldn’t believe it because he didn’t show up. I’m not happy, but that’s OK. The reason he didn’t is because he’s at spring training, right?”
“Fernando couldn’t be here today because, as I said, he’s now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders and let’s see how good a team they have,” Trump added. “I think he’s going to do great. He’s a winner.”
The Independent has contacted Mendoza for comment.
Mendoza’s Absence Explained
The Raiders confirmed to the Las Vegas Review-Journal that Mendoza was at the team’s facility in Henderson on Monday for preseason preparations. The Heisman Trophy-winner himself acknowledged earlier that he would not be able to join the victory tour at the White House due to his commitments with the Raiders.
“I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here,” he told reporters last week. “I’ve got to prove myself. I can’t miss practice. I don’t know anything official. I don’t have the calendar, but I just wouldn’t. As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look, and I want to try to best serve my teammates. And I don’t know if that’d be accomplishing that goal.”
As The Athletic notes, multiple Hoosiers missed the White House visit because of NFL obligations on Monday.
Background on Mendoza and the Hoosiers
Indiana sent a program-record eight players to the league this year, and Mendoza is one of four members of the national championship Indiana squad now with the Raiders. Trump previously encountered Mendoza at the national championship game in January, where the quarterback led the undefeated Hoosiers to win Indiana’s first national championship in program history. At the game, Trump was greeted with a thunderous reception.
Raiders fans are hoping Mendoza can bring some of the same magic he showed in that 27-to-21 win to the Raiders franchise, which has not made it to the Super Bowl since 2003.
