Raiders’ Top Draft Pick Confused About White House Visit Date

Clear Facts

• Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 NFL Draft pick, initially declined a White House visit citing a schedule conflict that doesn’t exist
• Mendoza believed the May 11 celebration conflicted with Raiders OTAs, but team activities don’t begin until May 18
• The visit would honor Indiana’s historic 16-0 championship season and Heisman Trophy winner

Fernando Mendoza responded to questions Saturday about whether he will visit President Donald Trump at the White House to celebrate the Indiana Hoosiers’ historic college football championship. The response revealed a scheduling misunderstanding that may change the rookie quarterback’s plans.

Mendoza stated he believed the scheduled May 11 visit conflicted with the first day of Las Vegas Raiders’ organized team activities (OTAs). However, the Raiders’ OTAs don’t actually start until May 18, leaving the rookie’s calendar clear for the White House celebration.

“If it is on the first day of OTAs, like I said, I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here, I got to prove myself, I can’t miss practice,” Mendoza told reporters at a Raiders press conference on Saturday.

“As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look. I want to try to best serve my teammates, and I don’t think that would be accomplishing that goal.”

The Raiders have nothing scheduled in their offseason program for May 11, clearing the way for Mendoza to attend if he chooses.

Mendoza led Indiana to the college football championship and the first 16-0 season in the modern history of the sport. The team announced its White House visit on Friday to celebrate the unprecedented accomplishment.

The quarterback became one of the biggest names in college football during his heroics for Indiana last season, culminating in the Heisman Trophy. His performance earned him the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.

The precedent has been set by previous college football champions who became No. 1 overall picks. Trevor Lawrence visited Trump at the White House in 2019, and Joe Burrow made the trip in 2020, both during the president’s first term.

Now attention turns to whether Mendoza will reconsider his position once he realizes the scheduling conflict doesn’t exist. The young quarterback etched his name in college football history with Indiana’s remarkable championship run.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.