In the days before the NFL draft, Fernando Mendoza boasted about the whole pig that was going to be roasted at his draft party.
After all the build-up, fans couldn’t wait to see how the Cuban delicacy turned out.
Unfortunately, the hog never made it into the coverage.
Mendoza, who went No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, was shown by ESPN inside his family’s home in Coral Gables, Florida, while the celebration continued outside.
The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at Indiana was surrounded on the couch by relatives when the pick was announced by commissioner Roger Goodell.
“The last five months have been such a blessing by God and I can’t thank Him enough,” Mendoza said in an interview with ESPN. “I’m just looking forward to getting to work, proving at the next level. College was fantastic. I’m so blessed to have that career. But now I step into a great game, the NFL, (and) look forward to proving and earning it every single day.”
Mendoza chose to stay close to family rather than attending the draft in Pittsburgh along with several other top prospects. His mother, Elsa, has lived with multiple sclerosis for almost 20 years and uses a wheelchair, making it difficult for her to travel.
Prior to the draft, Mendoza launched the Mendoza Family Fund in partnership with the National MS Society and pledged a $500,000 donation in support of research into multiple sclerosis.
Mendoza was dressed in a Boss suit with a white shirt and tie. He also wore white Adidas sneakers and previously described his style as “classy and comfortable.”
As the coverage of the draft began, Mendoza watched intently with his mom seated to his right. His father, Fernando Sr., and brother, Alberto, also joined him on the couch along with other relatives in the room. Several of Mendoza’s trophies were displayed on a kitchen countertop in the background, while his cell phone rested on the edge of the coffee table.
After the Raiders made the pick official, Mendoza tapped his phone, smiled and put his right arm around both of his parents. He then put on a black Raiders baseball cap with a silver bill, hugged Alberto and other relatives while appearing to leave his youngest brother, Max, hanging for a handshake.
Fernando Mendoza left his brother hanging 😂😂pic.twitter.com/mIbnd8OvJI
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) April 24, 2026
“What a great organization, great legacy,” Mendoza said to ESPN about the Raiders. “There’s so many great teammates I’m looking forward to talking to, coaches, owners. I’m ecstatic for the opportunity.”
Mendoza said approximately 120 people were expected to attend the party outside his family’s home, and they were shown cheering around the pool deck. That celebration was expected to include a “caja china” roasting box for the pig and pan con leche, a pork sandwich served with citrus-garlic sauce and sliced onions that Mendoza said is one of his favorite Cuban foods.
Raiders offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson posted “Congrats big man!!” on Instagram with the song “Fernando” by ABBA.
Raiders minority owner Tom Brady released a statement on social media after the selection of Mendoza.
“Hard Work, Resilience, Discipline, Accountability, Leadership, Teamwork,” Brady wrote. “That’s what this game is all about LFG Raider Nation we will make you proud.”
Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on X.
