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By Tyler Erzberger
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Fernando Mendoza achieved his dream on Thursday when the Las Vegas Raiders selected him as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
But instead of waltzing out of the green room in Pittsburgh and putting on the Raiders cap before shaking hands with commissioner Roger Goodell, the Heisman Award-winning quarterback was celebrating at his home with his family in Miami.
Although the NFL did all it could to get the No. 1 pick to Pittsburgh for the draft, Mendoza declined, stating he wanted to have an intimate party with his friends, former coaches, and, most important of all, his family.
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Mendoza has cited his family as being the strength that helped him rise from a youngster on the California Golden Bears to transferring to Indiana and leading them to a College Football Playoff national title.
His mom, in particular, Elsa, who lives with multiple sclerosis, is a constant inspiration for the new franchise face in Las Vegas.
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After receiving a call from the Raiders saying he would be their QB of the future, Mendoza hugged his mom, thanking her for all she had done for him throughout his life.
And in return, Elsa gave a speech for her son outside their family home, celebrating him in the biggest moment of his professional life.
"Fernando, I'm so proud of you," she said. "I'm so proud of not only the successes on the field but who you are. You make me so proud—your kindness, your humility, your faith. I just can't say enough. There's so much you've yet to do, but you've done so much. … I'm so proud to be your mom."
Mendoza left Miami on Friday to visit his new home in Las Vegas over the weekend, serenaded by Raiders fans and staff alike during his inaugural venture into the team's headquarters.
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