Why Fernando Mendoza skipped Indiana’s White House visit with Donald Trump

While it’s been a few months since the Indiana Hoosiers were crowned as college football’s national champion for the first time, the team will continue celebrating on Monday.

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Curt Cignetti’s squad is set to make its official White House appearance alongside President Donald Trump as part of the championship celebrations.

However, the most notable player of that title run, Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 NFL draft pick Fernando Mendoza, will be absent in D.C. on Monday.

Here’s why Mendoza won’t be in attendance for Indiana’s White House celebrations.

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Why Fernando Mendoza skipped Indiana’s White House visit

Mendoza, after being selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft, is now officially focused on his rookie season in the pros. The Raiders’ rookie minicamp recently took place, while OTAs are also beginning at this time of year.

With Mendoza still in his early days as a Raider, he said earlier in May that he wouldn’t be joining the Hoosiers at the White House — the rookie quarterback wasn’t willing to miss a day of work in the NFL quite yet.

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“I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here. I’ve got to prove myself,” Mendoza told reporters on May 2. “I can’t miss practice. I don’t have the calendar, but 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 know if that’d be accomplishing that goal.”

#Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza says if Indiana’s White House visit on May 11 coincides with a day of practice, he won’t be able to go:

“I’m at the bottom of the totem pole here. I gotta prove myself. I can’t miss practice. … As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look.” pic.twitter.com/flg4VGLiXX

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 3, 2026

It was then confirmed by an Indiana spokesperson to USA Today on Monday that Mendoza would not be in attendance at the White House.

With Mendoza not guaranteed to be Las Vegas’ Week 1 starting quarterback after the team signed Kirk Cousins, he’s opting to skip on the national championship celebrations to continue working alongside his new teammates in the NFL.

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