Fernando Mendoza’s absence from Indiana football’s White House celebration became a major talking point after President Donald Trump publicly addressed it during Monday’s ceremony. Mendoza, now with the Las Vegas Raiders after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, chose to remain in Las Vegas for offseason workouts instead of attending the event. The rookie quarterback has repeatedly stressed that earning respect inside the Raiders organization matters more than appearances right now, especially with veteran Kirk Cousins expected to compete for the starting role entering the 2026 season.
