The week for Fernando Mendoza started with a tour of the talk shows. It ended with him talking to a group of diehards wearing silver and black.
In between, Mendoza became the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft and the newest member of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Early in the week, he talked about his future with a wide range of hosts and subjects, from talking leadership with CNBC’s Alex Sherman to speaking X’s and O’s on The Dan Patrick Show.
The highlight came Thursday night when, surrounded by his family, he was taken by the Raiders.
He ended the week on Friday in Henderson with his first Raiders press conference and watching Day 2 of the draft with an excited group of season-ticket holders.
While he was doing that, fans were lining up in the team shop to No. 15 Mendoza jerseys.
What’s next? Mini-camps, offseason-training activities in the next eight weeks and then, in July, back in Henderson for training camp.
What a way to start a career in the NFL.
