Peyton Manning was asked to reach out to Fernando Mendoza prior to the 2026 NFL Draft to get him to attend. The Indiana star QB will have a party at home in South Florida with his loved ones...

quote:
“Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and it’s a great venue, and I’m really excited to see most of the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night. It will be a dream for a lot of guys. However, my mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents — it’s a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation. And having to hop on a plane the next morning anyway, for that travel, it’d be a lot easier to stay at home,” Mendoza told Rich Eisen, via Pro Football Talk.

“I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey — mentors, coaches, family, friends. Being able to share that moment with all of them is going to be the best memory I can make, rather than limiting it to 10-12 people in Pittsburgh, which is going to be great.”

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Daponch•3 days

The NFL should be respectful of Mendozas family situation but they won’t because they suck

voice of no reason•3 days

i understand completely. Mendoza's mom has health issues and he does not want to burden her and he wants to be with her on this night. Napoleon will just have to get over it.

FaCubeItches•3 days

But what of the photo opportunities? Will no one think of the photo opportunities?
- Roger Goodell

Barstools•3 days

But she traveled to all his games? This dude is just an autistic weirdo.

KCT•3 days

I didn't know he could paint.

tigersbb•3 days

Guess Fernando is not interested in hearing the drums on draft night.

diat150•3 days

Nobody wants to be hugging on stank arse goodell

KCT•3 days

One more reason not to respect the NFL, or Peyton Manning for always doing what his overlords tell him to do.

IH8ThreePutts•2 days

I have more respect for the kid to want his mother to be comfortable and enjoy the special night at home with family and friends. Lots of folks don’t understand the family dynamic/unit in the Cuban culture.

Ponchy Tiger•2 days

He never said if he did try to encourage Mendoza to attend. I would hope he didn't considering the reasons why Mendoza turned down the invite. I would have a lot of respect for Manning if he told the NFL to go to hell.

Koolazzkat•2 days

The first of many “suck it, Roger” moves.

go ta hell ole miss•1 day

The draft and draft coverage have humiliated enough people through the years to make that reason enough to skip it. Glad he chose mom over the NFL and ESPN.

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