Fernando Mendoza Celebrates NFL Draft Selection with Family
Fernando Mendoza marked a significant moment in his life by celebrating his selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft from the comfort of his home, surrounded by family. This heartfelt occasion included warm hugs, especially with his mother, Elsa Mendoza.
Even though he was expected to be the top pick, Mendoza chose to forgo attending the event in person. Instead, he opted to stay in Florida to be with his mother, who is facing challenges due to multiple sclerosis and is wheelchair-bound.
Mendoza’s mother received her diagnosis when he was just around four years old. MS is a chronic autoimmune condition that impacts the central nervous system, affecting both the brain and spinal cord. Over recent years, she has increasingly relied on a wheelchair for mobility.
In a letter published in The Players Tribune back in 2015, Elsa Mendoza shared her perspective on living with the illness. She wrote, “I was diagnosed about 18 years ago, but, of course, you didn’t know that. You and Alberto were so young, and I didn’t want to worry you. Things were fine for a long time until I faced complications after a skiing accident about ten years ago.”
She continued, “Initially, I was hesitant to discuss my condition with you. I didn’t want you to see me differently. But everything changed after I contracted COVID-19 five years ago, leading to noticeable declines in my health.” This shift meant that she could no longer attend her sons’ games, something she deeply regretted.
Originally from Miami, Mendoza’s parents are Cuban refugees who fled their home country after Fidel Castro took power. His father, Fernando Mendoza Sr., had an impressive athletic background, having been a rower at Brown University and winning the Junior World Championship gold medal in 1987.
On a more personal note, Mendoza’s father also played soccer and was a teammate of Mario Cristobal, the current head coach at Christopher Columbus High School in the 1980s. As fate would have it, Mendoza is set to face Cristobal’s team in this year’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Meanwhile, his mother, aside from her struggles, also has a background in sports, having played tennis at the University of Miami.
