By John Knebels, OSV News
Fernando Mendoza often talks about the importance of having clear priorities. On the most important night of his soccer career, he proved it.
Mendoza, a practicing Catholic, 2026 Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback who led Indiana University to its first NCAA Division I national championship, became the first overall selection in the NFL draft on April 23, chosen by the Las Vegas Raiders.
But while the soccer world gathered in Pittsburgh, the host city for the draft, Mendoza opted not to attend. Instead, he stayed at home in Miami, surrounded by his family and close to the person who has influenced him the most: his mother.
Following NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's announcement, Mendoza was unavailable for interviews. His absence said it all.
Thanks to his mother
«I wanted to stay and make memories with everyone who contributed to my soccer journey,» Mendoza said on «The Rich Eisen Show» on April 20. «Mentors, coaches, family, friends. To be able to share that memory with all of them will be the best memory I can create, instead of limiting it to 10 or 12 people in Pittsburgh.».
At the center of that decision was her mother, Elsa, who has long struggled with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system and has confined her to a wheelchair. The physical exertion and logistical difficulties of the trip made the choice practical.
«For us, it's much easier because of the family situation,» he said. But the reasoning goes deeper. «I see her wrestle every day, and always with a smile,» Mendoza told Eisen. «So I have no excuse for having a bad day, a bad play or a bad game. I always try to be optimistic, do my best and serve my teammates.».
This perspective - forged not by the best of times, but by daily witness - is the foundation of his life. It is inseparable from his Catholic faith, which he practices openly and consistently.
Your best goal
Among the anecdotes that define Mendoza on the field, on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Mendoza starred in one of the most memorable moments in recent college soccer history. At the most critical moment of the championship game, when his team had only one last chance to advance, Mendoza confronted a group of defenders who tried to stop him; despite taking several hits, he managed to crawl into the end zone to score the decisive point, securing the 27-21 victory and capping a perfect undefeated season.
Moments later, in the midst of the celebration, he turned the spotlight back on himself. «This moment is more important than me,» he said. «First, I want to thank God.» It was not a passing sentiment.
At the Heisman Trophy award ceremony on December 13 in New York City, Mendoza again put faith at the forefront. «First of all, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to pursue a dream that once seemed light years away,» he said, his voice breaking.
Then he turned to his mother. «Mommy, this trophy is as much yours as it is mine,» he said. «You've always been my biggest fan. You are my light. You're my reason for being. You are my biggest supporter. Your sacrifice, your bravery, your love...those have been my first rule book, and the rule book I will carry with me for a lifetime.»
«You taught me that strength doesn't have 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.»
Educated at Marist
Those words reflect a career marked by patience and resilience. Mendoza was a promising two-star player coming out of Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, a Catholic school run by the Marist Brothers.
After beginning his college career at the University of California, Berkeley, Mendoza transferred to Indiana, where he became the key player in a spectacular comeback. Just two years after a 3-9 season, the Hoosiers won the national championship with Mendoza as the main figure.
His arrival in the NFL generates similar expectations. The Raiders have struggled to find stability at the quarterback position. Mendoza comes into that uncertain landscape as a key piece: a player expected to get a franchise desperate for him back on track.
Clear Christian identity
Despite all the pressure that comes with being the first choice, Mendoza's identity remains unchanged.
Those who know him well describe him as a person of strong and lively faith. He reportedly prays the rosary every Friday, listens to mass before games and avoids music that encourages him to stay focused. He attends mass regularly and considers the sacraments not as a routine, but as a solid foundation.
Dominican Father Patrick Hyde, pastor of St. Paul Catholic Center at Indiana University, has seen that record firsthand. «Fernando backs up his words on television by giving glory to God at Sunday Mass,» Father Hyde wrote in X. «He attends out of love for God, not human praise.».
On Christmas Eve, Mendoza took his Heisman Trophy to the St. Paul Catholic Center, not for display, but as an act of gratitude.
Weeks later, after the national championship, he stepped onto the field again - with the confetti shower and history already written - and hugged his mother. They were both in tears. «I want to give all the glory and thanks to God,» he said.
In an era defined by spectacle and self-promotion, Mendoza's selection on draft night represented a discreet contrast.
No stage. No spotlights.
Simply at home.
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