Finally, the day is approaching for which the college football players have been eagerly waiting. The 2026 NFL Draft is around the corner. But the talk of the nation, Fernando Mendoza, will be absent from the grand event in Pittsburgh. Well, he has a strong reason behind his absence.

“Projected No.1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza has informed the NFL that he is not planning to attend the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this month, per sources. Mendoza wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami," reported ESPN's senior NFL insider, Adam Schefter.

For Fernando, family means everything to him, especially his mother, Elsa Mendoza. The quarterback's mother suffers from multiple sclerosis, which damages the central nervous system. But her fighting spirit is what has been truly inspiring.

She attended the Big Ten Championship at the Lucas Oil Stadium and was seen rooting for her son, seated in a wheelchair.

“You’re a teammate at heart. I’ve been lucky enough that for a much longer time than most people, and not just because I’m your mom. But because I feel like I was your very first teammate,” Elsa wrote in The Players’ Tribune. 

Fernando made his mother proud by winning the Heisman Trophy on December 13. In his speech, the former Indiana quarterback gave due credit to his mother.

“Mami, this is your trophy as much as it is mine," he said. "Your sacrifices, courage, love, those have been my first playbook and that playbook that I’m going to carry by my side for my entire life.” 

Mendoza will stay back with his teammate and watch on from Miami, Florida, if he is indeed the number one pick in this year’s NFL Draft. 

While he is not attending the draft, which left the Pittsburgh residents unhappy, there is another major reason behind their despair.

How Else Is Pittsburgh Planning to Take Care of the Homeless?

A major concern amid Pittsburgh hosting the 2026 NFL Draft is its homeless population. The head of Light of Life Rescue Mission, Jerrel Gilliam, is not happy about the draft coming to Pittsburgh. Gilliam is worried about Pittsburgh’s most vulnerable residents, the homeless. 

“They are no longer seen as neighbors,” he said. “They’re seen as a problem. They’re dehumanized.” 

The NFL Draft is set to span across three days, and this would be difficult for the people living out on the streets. Other cities that have hosted major events have forced ‌homeless people away. However, there is no talk of this happening in Pittsburgh. 

Gilliam does have a plan to tackle this problem. He is hoping the Light of Life’s North Side will be a refuge. Gilliam plans to have a “Super Bowl atmosphere” at the shelter, where people can keep afloat with the NFL Draft and get food and shelter. 

“During the draft, we want to be the kind of like Motel 6,” Gilliam said. “Our light is always on.” 

Fernando Mendoza is known for raising funds for the National MS Society. So, his Pittsburgh visit could have been a moment many in the homeless community looked forward to. Now that he will be in Miami for the big day, share your thoughts in the comments.

Read more at Michigan Football Community.

Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar